Dillon Ryan & The Dream Romantic/Sam Hudson Band/The Nectar
Fri, August 22, 2025, 8:00 PM (AST)
About this event
Do we have a show for you!! We welcome familiar and new acts to the Holy Whale stage for a night of rock, goth, indie and soul
Doors at 7:30 PM
Show at 8:00 PM
Entry $10 advanced/$15 at the door
Dillon Ryan & the Dream Romantic are an infectiously talented and refreshingly distinctive new wave band from the East Coast of Canada. The band is authentically breathing new life into the underexplored genres of new wave, goth and post punk. Their inspiration from the Smiths, Echo & Bunnymen and the Cure is marvelously palpable in their material yet their work remains completely fresh. Their hauntingly melodic landscapes swallow you into a cinematic gothic universe. It's soothing yet scary and you just can't get enough.
The perpetually evolving artist shows no signs of slowing down. It is clear he was born to play music and that trajectory has led him down an illustrious path. Dillon Ryan & The Dream Romantic weave melodic lullabies and gothic ballads that cling to listeners. Their poetic songwriting paired with a beautifully melancholic sonic landscape is an enthralling void to lose yourself to. In a world oversaturated with pathological positivity it's exciting to hear such an emotionally generous band. Their music somehow makes you want to dance and cry at the same time, it's a rare and honest dichotomy.
Sam Hudson is an indie-alternative songwriter, singer, guitarist, pianist and DIY producer based in Toronto. Originally from Kent County, New Brunswick, Hudson’s music reflects his journey through spiritual awakening and is characterized by his touch on the piano (Chris Martin of Coldplay), introspective lyrics (Elliott Smith) and hooky melodies (The Beatles).
Sam’s first EP, Pop Goes the Human is a collaboration with Juno nominated producer Thomas McKay. Inspired by his struggle with spiritual awakening the record is a poignant, honest reflection on truth, madness and what it means to be human.
“I found myself in a place I dubbed No Man’s Land — disassociated from people, my art and myself. Pop Goes the Human tells the story of my journey through and ultimately out of that dark, confusing and profound chapter of my life.”
Sam made the top 100 in CBC Music’s Searchlight Competition, was nominated for Music New Brunswick’s Video of the Year and has received airplay on CBC and CHSR radio stations. When not in the studio, writing or performing Sam can be found drinking coffee, alchemizing lead to gold or ingesting comedic content…often all at the same time.
The nectar is a four piece acoustic set located in Fredericton NB. We play originals and sometime sprinkle in a cover or two. We play a lot of different type of music and have a hard time figuring out what genre we play. All we know is that the vibes are good and we have an amazing time playing for you all.