Brooks Nielsen brings back Growlers nostalgia
It was a perfect Friday San Diego night for the CalCoast Open Air Amphitheater to transform into a beach-goth haven for an evening of nostalgia, celebration, and timeless Growlers’ vibes. It was an all Growlers Halloween night—but the mood was less about spooky costumes and more about beach-goth soaked memories of surf, sand, and the undeniable pull of the Growlers’ laid-back, eclectic goth vibes. Brooks Nielsen and his band had returned, but this time, it wasn’t just a concert—it was a revival of something that fans hold dear: the spirit of beach goth.
The crowd, decked out in everything from skeleton onesies to more elaborate Halloween costumes like Daphne and Fred (from Scooby-doo), and even a cool Surf Rats sign, proved that while years may have passed, the love for the Growlers and their signature sound remains as strong as ever. And as soon as Brooks Nielsen stepped onto the stage, the Haloween party started.
This wasn’t a typical greatest-hits show, though those fan favorites like One Million Lovers and Naked Kids were definitely front and center. Brooks and his band dug deep into the Growlers discography, delivering an impressive setlist that spanned the entire spectrum of the band’s eclectic sound. From the melancholic grooves of Humdrum Blues to the dark, bluesy edges of Drinking the Juice Blues, the show felt like a journey through fan favorites and deep cuts alike.
The audience, many of whom may have once been teenagers discovering the band’s experimental beachy vibes in basements and dive bars, are now grown-ups—but they are no less devoted. The spirit of beach goth was alive and well, and there was no mistaking the energy in the air as the crowd sang along to every single song. Brooks, as always, was an impeccable frontman, exuding a laid-back yet electric charisma, booging along with the crowd and belting out lyrics like they were still living those carefree beach days.
The love for the laid-back, sun-soaked, slightly melancholy vibe that the Growlers perfected all those years ago was palpable. The crowd connected by the music, by the memories, the aesthetic, and the very idea of what it meant to be a beach rat.
Brooks visibly happy to be on stage, engaged with the crowd, giving fans what they wanted. His unique voice, strong and steady as ever, carried effortlessly through the amphitheater, guiding the crowd on an emotional ride through the band’s distinct, genre-blending sound.
We will see plenty of Halloween parties and spooky shows, but this one stood apart as an undeniable celebration of music, memories, and the enduring legacy of the Growlers’ distinctive sound. Brooks Nielsen and the band not only proved that the magic of The Growlers is still alive but also that it has the power to bring people together, even as they grow older and life changes.
The spirit of the Growlers lives on, and it’s as strong as ever.