Sala Moon, an intimate but energetic venue on C/ Sant Vicent Màrtir, felt just right for this kind of concert: large not overwhelming, welcoming yet charged with anticipation. The audience, a mix of longtime fans and younger listeners, came ready not just to hear hits, but to soak in the kind of warm, relaxed brilliance that only Nick Lowe + Straitjackets can provide.

From the opening chords of “So It Goes”, which came in slower than some earlier versions but no less affecting, the tone was set: understated, heartfelt, and polished.

The Performance & Set List Highlights

This set list—pulling from his deep back catalogue, his newer “Indoor Safari” material, and Rockpile classics—shows Lowe’s masterful balancing act. He isn’t simply leaning on nostalgia: there’s real freshness, but with that familiar Lowe warmth.

• “Love Starvation”: A recent revival from Indoor Safari, it felt particularly intimate, showing Lowe’s ongoing vitality as a songwriter.

• “Jet Pac Boomerang”: The band leaned into its playful side — according to Dirty Rock, they even wove in a fragment of the Beatles’ Please Please Me, a cheeky and delightful moment.

• Instrumental Break: Los Straitjackets got their moment to stretch. After Tokyo Bay, they stayed on to perform “Driving Guitars” (a Ventures-style classic), and the crowd even sang along to “Venus” (Shocking Blue) – that surf-rock virtuosity is part of the magic they bring.

• “Cruel to Be Kind”: A crowd favourite, and rightly so — the energy peaked here, with Lowe’s voice still warm and genuine, and the band locking in tight.

• “What’s So Funny ’Bout Peace, Love and Understanding”: An emotional anchor, reminding the audience of Lowe’s songwriting legacy.

Nick Lowe at 76 (yes, age creeping in) was the picture of elegance and humility. According to press reports, he moved with effortless charm, often pausing to chat, joke, or reflect. His voice, though mellowed, carried a clarity that’s hard to come by after decades on the road. The Straitjackets, ever the perfect backing band, brought energy without ever overpowering him — their interplay was crisp, reverb-drenched, and always just in service of the song.

Their masked aesthetic added a playful visual twist: they looked timeless but not nostalgic — more like guardians of a sound that’s both classic and alive.

The crowd was clearly there for the long haul — they knew the songs, they sang along, and they responded to both old favourites and deeper cuts. There was an appreciative hush during quieter numbers, and genuine cheers when familiar anthems like Cruel to Be Kind or Peace, Love and Understanding kicked in.

Seeing Nick Lowe now, with Los Straitjackets, feels like witnessing a craftsman in full command of his art. His career bona fides are staggering: producer of Elvis Costello’s early albums, composer of classics like Cruel to Be Kind and What’s So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding, and a pioneer of pub rock, punk, and new wave. Yet tonight, he was not a relic — he was very much a living, breathing artist still creating and reinventing.The 2025 tour, supporting Indoor Safari, feels less like a nostalgia trip and more like a celebration of continuity. Lowe’s choice to keep working with The Straitjackets, whose surf guitar aesthetic is both retro and timeless, underscores his commitment to sound, playfulness, and musical excellence. The concert at Sala Moon was a triumph of subtlety, class, and warmth. It wasn’t about bombast, but about connection — between Nick Lowe, his band, and the audience. For longtime fans, last night was a gift; for newer ones, an introduction to a living legend who remains as sharp, witty, and musically adventurous as ever. If you had tickets — consider yourself lucky. If you missed it … let’s hope there’s another run soon.