NIGHT TAPES BRINGS PORTALS//POLARITIES TOUR TO NYC

WEBSTER HALL — NEW YORK, NY

Night Tapes, a UK-Estonian band, knows world-building. Everything, down to the last detail of their aesthetic, their sound, artwork, the high falsettos, the stage dressing, and even their entirely backlit show at Webster Hall in New York City on October 22nd, comes together to transport you to another dimension. Concertgoers were enthralled by the dreamscapes conjured by lead singer Iiris Vesik. Vesik’s presence was ethereal and kind of impossible not to love. Dressed in a white flowing gown and boots, and hardly even able to see her face, she floated above the stage.

This was only the three-piece band’s third time playing in the Big Apple, and first since releasing their debut album portals//polarities on September 26, 2025. Before playing “pacifico”, Vesik spoke about the album, saying portals//polarties is about “holding a certain level of complexity and tolerating duality. There’s the inner world and the outer world, which can be immensely happy and immensely sad at the same time. It’s about surfing between those states.”

The set opened with “enter” the opening track of portals//polarities. The band was immediately passed roses from the dedicated fans in the front row, who wasted no opportunity between songs to remind Vesik, bassist Max Doohan, and guitarist Sam Richards how much they are loved. The second song was “television” , a synth driven, introspective analysis of technology and humanity that packs in quite a profound message under the dreamy instrumentals, another thing Night Tapes is really good at. The third song on both the album and the setlist was “swordsman”, as Vesik picked up her first instrument of the night, a cowbell.

Currently on a 20-date US run supported byCult of Venus, the band packs in about 20 songs a set. It is expertly crafted to take the crowd on a journey through time and space, from the pulsing, hypnotic beat of “Humans” to the high falsetto notes of ”storm” and earthy, nature-inspired tones of “easy time to be alive”, where Vesik plays the flute, putting the crowd into a trance.

During “Selene” Vesik briefly disappeared offstage before returning with fans, with long white trails that danced across the stage. The band played their final and most popular song, “drifting”, which has amassed more than 24 million plays on Spotify.

Night Tapes is a must-see for an unforgettable night that feels like a lucid dream and certainly one to watch as they tighten their grasp on the US market throughout this tour.