Live Review: This is Lorelei at the Independent

“But a loser never wins, and I’m a loser, always been.”

Those are the immortal words that Nate Amos sings in his epic ballad “Dancing in the Club,” a wildly imaginative number from his band This is Lorelei that somehow seamlessly fuses hyperpop with Americana.

It’s a mantra that he sings fiercely and defiantly—a claim to take ownership of his outsider status. It’s a perfect summation of what it’s like to be an indie rock weirdo, and last Friday night, the Independent was the scene of a sold-out crowd filled with such characters—all rapturously screaming in support of This is Lorelei.

As one-half of the art-rock duo Water From Your Eyes, Amos first garnered attention for his avant garde, outsider leanings, but he’s found even greater acclaim for the folksy, singer-songwriter stylings of This is Lorelei. His 2024 official debut album, “Box for Buddy, Box For Star” grew from a cult classic to a certified smash hit, thanks in large part to cover songs from prominent artists such as Cameron Winter, MJ Lenderman, Jeff Tweedy and Waxahatchee.

That album showcased a dizzying array of different genres and approaches, but on his 2026 follow-up, “The Singer in My Band,” Amos zeroes in squarely on Americana, folk, Appalachia and other bucolic, rustic music foundations. Unsurprisingly, he creates that roots-based music approach just as effectively as his forays into shoegaze and space rock.

In fact, the new album is so cohesive and has been so well received that Amos was able to open his show on Friday night with “Where’s Your Love Now,” the titanic, towering epic off “Box for Buddy, Box For Star,” that would normally serve as a triumphant closing act. 

From there, Amos—accompanied by his girlfriend, bassist Al Nardo, multi-instrumentalist Bailey Wollowitz and drummer Cameron Wisch on stage—blasted through nearly every song on “The Singer in My Band,” adding a little extra zip to the song’s mostly stripped-back foundations. Despite the album being only a few weeks old, the crowd at the Independent was clearly enthralled, singing along in unison to the tunes, echoing Amos’ trademark lispy deliveries.

For the closing numbers, Amos returned to “Box for Buddy, Box For Star,” first playing “I’m All Fucked Up” before ending the night with “Dancing in the Club,” a song that has taken on an almost mythic status at this point.

It was truly a night for the losers—and who gives a shit about winning when you can have the time of your life listening to This is Lorelei.