For Julie Dawson, the singer and guitarist of NewDad, music has always been a refuge to express what she finds challenging to communicate otherwise—a space to explore deep emotions. Influenced by The Cure, Pixies, Wolf Alice, and Just Mustard, NewDad has undergone a sonic evolution since their early releases. The new album, "Madra" (2024), produced by Chris Ryan, delves into festive melodies that span dream-pop, post-punk, and shoegaze. It's a cathartic journey, offering listeners the opportunity to transform emotional struggles into something transcendental. After selling out venues throughout their UK and Ireland tour, NewDad lands at Westway LAB for a concert that promises to go down in the festival's history.