Narrow Head Made It Hurt

Sofia Slack 

Music Reviewer 

AUSTIN, Texas – On Thursday night, Radio/East shed its daytime coffeehouse calm and transformed into a buzzing pocket of noise, energy, and emotion. The venue, tucked away in East Austin, felt more like a secret show than a formal concert — small, open, and steeped in that effortless indie charm that makes Austin’s scene so magnetic. Radio-East buzzed with quiet anticipation as people filed in under the soft glow of string lights. The air carried that mix of caffeine, cigarettes, and Texas air — a perfect atmosphere for what was to come. 

Doors opened at 7:00 p.m., but I rolled in closer to 7:30. Entry was easy, the vibe mellow. No chaos or long lines, just a slow trickle of fans drifting toward the outdoor stage. Inside, it was all wood, warmth, and open air — outside, with its cozy interior and wide patio stage, Radio/East oozed chill ambience. 

The lineup was a solid mix of heavy hitters: Paradise from California, BLEED from Dallas, FURY also from California, and finally, the night’s main act — Narrow Head. 

Narrow Head, a Houston-born alternative rock band formed in 2013, has carved out a sound that sits somewhere between shoegaze and grunge. The band consists of Jacob Duarte (vocals, guitar), William Menjivar (guitar), Carson Wilcox (drums), and Kora Puckett (bass). Their music hits this rare middle ground where it’s both hazy and hard-hitting. Over the years, they’ve built a devoted following for their talent and performances. 

I managed to claim a spot at the barricade right before Paradise took the stage. Their set was loud and punchy — that kind of sound that shakes through your chest. A pit broke out early, bodies running in circles, a few Sparta kicks thrown for flavor. 

BLEED followed, and since I’d seen them before, I knew they’d deliver. Their set was sharp and emotional — gritty riffs layered with just enough melody to catch you off guard. I snagged their setlist when they wrapped, the first of what would become a little collection that night. 

Then came FURY. The energy shift was immediate. They stormed the stage like they owned it. The crowd fed off it — heads banging, voices shouting, everyone locked into the same noise. During their final song, Narrow Head’s guitarist joined in for a surprise guest spot, only to stage dive straight into the crowd… and completely eat it. Nobody caught him. 

And then, the moment everyone had been waiting for — Narrow Head. The air gave us a nice breeze for a second before they launched into their set. I’d never seen them live before, and it hit harder than I expected. When they played “Caroline,” my personal favorite, I was caught off guard in the best way. It’s not their biggest track, so hearing it live felt like a gift. 

They ran through fan favorites like “Stay” and “Brain Dead,” blending shoegaze haze with grunge weight. Their sound filled every corner of the space, yet somehow it stayed deeply personal — like they were playing for us instead of at us. 

There was something about that night that just worked. The crowd wasn’t huge, but it didn’t need to be. It felt raw, unfiltered, and real — it wasn’t about spectacle. It was about connection. 

Narrow Head turned Radio/East into something special: a moment suspended in sound, where distortion felt like emotion and noise became connection. It wasn’t about spectacle — it was about feeling. 

Everything about the night was perfect — the friends, the music, the energy. If this show was any sign of what’s next for Narrow Head, the future looks loud.