Gig Review: Dutch Criminal Record At The Garage
Sunshine, nostalgia, and a surprise cowbell cameo - Dutch Criminal Record bring their melodic charm to The Garage.
Dutch Criminal Record are a band who know exactly what they’re about. Their music—sun-soaked, jangly, and effortlessly melodic—nods to naughties indie greats like The Drums and Vampire Weekend, yet remains distinctly their own. At The Garage in Islington on Saturday night, fresh from a tour with Canadian outfit Good Kid and a recent support slot for The Wombats, they played like a band who have sharpened their craft on bigger stages.
Kicking off with Gaslight, they immediately locked into their groove, shimmering guitars, rich vocal harmonies, and rhythms that make you want to quit your job and move somewhere with better weather – maybe Brighton. 00’s Nostalgia and Wasted Time kept the momentum going, all breezy melodies underpinned by a tight, dance-able rhythm section. For a band whose music often conjures images of endless summers, they play with a precision and urgency that ensures things never drift into the background.
As the night went on, they dipped into a setlist that showcased both old favourites and highlights from their debut album Novium. Their cover of Chappell Roan’s Good Luck, Babe – a song which has already entered the pop canon - brought out the crowd that little bit more, while Graduate and Oat Milk had a warmth that made them feel instantly familiar. But it was Painted Gold that turned the night up a notch. As the song hit its peak, a mini mosh-pit broke out—proof that, for all their dreamy, nostalgic charm, Dutch Criminal Record can still get an audience properly moving.
By the time they reached Living In Dreams and Baby Blue, the crowd was fully in their grip. Harmonies washed over the room, phone torches were out, and The Garage, usually a venue for sweaty, beer-sloshed indie gigs, briefly felt like a beachside festival at sunset. They wrapped up the main set going back to their roots with early single Stuck Between, greeted with a rapturous response that suggested all the new fans from their hard work on the road are already in for the long haul.
The encore sealed the deal. Socks & Sandals was a perfect closer—quirky, infectious, and delivered with the kind of knowing charm that makes Dutch Criminal Record so easy to love. There was even a mystery sixth member who appeared on stage donning a cowbell.
Having cut their teeth supporting bigger acts, Dutch Criminal Record now look more than ready to take centre stage. Their music is playful but precise, nostalgic yet fresh, and after a night like this, it’s clear they’re only heading in one direction—up.