After having to reschedule their original tour date back in October, Nicotine Dolls makes it up to Houston with a spellbinding show at White Oak Music Hall.
Nicotine Dolls are an alt-pop/rock group from New York, and consists of members Sam Cieri, John Hays, John Merritt and Abel Tabares. Each musicians hails from different musical backgrounds, and eventually came together and blended their experiences to create a unique indie-rock sound. The band is on the rise and have most recently released their latest EP called How Do You Love Me, which is a melancholic collection of songs that are served with relatable messages through catchy riffs. Currently on tour with opener Brooke Alexx, the band is touring across North America to help promote their latest release, along with performing their hit singles and their gut-wrenching covers.
The band kicked off their show in Houston with songs like “Til We Both Stay” and “Real House,” followed by “SLIP” and “Next to Me.” The Houston show was originally scheduled for November, but was postponed due to illness from one of the band members. Everyone in attendance was excited for the show, as many have been waiting months for the rescheduled dates. Nicotine Dolls also sprinkled their well-known covers in to their set, which included the late Tina Turner’s “The Best,” Cher’s “Believe” and Goo Goo Dolls’ “IRIS.” They ended off their night with the title track of the EP “How Do You Love Me,” and everyone was left in their feelings.
On top of a great setlist and a interactive crowd, the band did a great job at establishing a connection with Houston. The band joked around on stage a ton, and it made it much more entertaining to watch the set as the audience got to see their friendship in action. Sam Cieri also made a bunch of fun quips regarding the Space City, and the audience absolutely loved it. Overall, Nicotine Dolls remains an underrated act and did a wonderful job at making the show feel like a safe space, which is something everyone needs nowadays.
Keylee is a full-time music journalist/photographer from Houston, Texas. She has received a B.S in Radio-Television-Film from the University of Texas at Austin, as well as an M.A in Mass Communications from the University of Houston. As an avid concert-goer and movie fanatic, she aspires to create her own path as a content creator by bonding with others over the power of local music and media. If she isn’t listening to her favorite band Paramore, you’ll catch her hanging out with her brothers or playing with her husky Luna.
