Quadeca @ Paradise Rock Club 10/17

Photography by Jack Schwed

Review by James Klein

Before his sold-out Boston show last Friday, I’d been following Quadeca since his 2018 YouTube days, back when he made his first “20 Styles of Rapping!” video and broke rap song word-count records. Even at 17, his dedication stood out; his precise impressions, versatile production and lyrical creativity hinted at something bigger beyond the clickbait. From the release of 2019’s “Voice Memos” to 2021’s “From Me To You,” Quadeca’s sound evolved from the typical YouTube and SoundCloud rap of the time to a more atmospheric and anthemic experimental album, showcasing his potential as a singer and producer. In 2022, with the release of “I Didn’t Mean To Haunt You,” he grew further, honing his storytelling ability with the introspective concept album, evolving his original hip-hop sound to incorporate elements of folktronica and experimental art pop. Now, with last year’s “SCRAPYARD” mixtape and his new masterclass, “Vanisher, Horizon Scraper,” Quadeca’s work has become lauded by the internet and the greater alternative music scene. Seeing him live at the Paradise Rock Club felt like watching a prodigy realize his artistic vision. 

A line wrapped around the corner of Commonwealth Avenue on Friday night, well before the doors opened. Zealous fans packed the venue, lining up early for merch. The opener, Rozey, started the show with a bang with the song “Mob Life” by Doughboyz Cashout, layering shoegaze guitars over gritty Detroit rap. The band came from the Motor City, featuring Rozey on lead vocals, Tommy Fleece on guitar and Anthony Cronk on drums. They played a short set; Rozey’s discography currently only consists of six singles. Rozey was barefoot, toggling guitar pedals with his toes, an eccentric touch that matched the jittery chaos of his set. He paced back and forth, energetically screaming the lyrics. Rozey and Tommy showed off their guitar skills, both performing exhilarating solos. Despite their brief set, they got the crowd moving and excited for Quadeca. 

First, his band appeared—Faheem Erfan in the front, tuning his guitar, Myles Martin sitting at the drum set, Autumn Beviacqua (Oleka) picking up her flute, and Johnny Hall at the keyboard. As Quadeca took the stage, the band layered ethereal sounds over the opening track of “Vanisher,” “NO QUESTIONS ASKED.” He sported his jumpsuit from the “Vanisher” album movie, where he tells the story of a sailor trying to leave his worries behind at sea. Quadeca pulled a hanging rope to hoist a “Vanisher” sail as the band’s contributions to the song built up, singing “I’ll be there when no one is,” and conducting the  crowd to join him in repeating the phrase. 

Next, Quadeca played another track from “Vanisher,” “AT A TIME LIKE THIS.” He danced on stage as he rapped, with the song climaxing at the second bridge.The whole crowd joined him in singing, “Call it, call it, call it what you want, but there’s karma in the current when it’s calm.” He expressed his love for Boston and showed his humorous side, calling the crowd “hot-dog shaped” and asking the “controversial question” of “Who here likes music?” before performing “GODSTAINED,” “Vanisher’s” hit single. Quadeca sang over Oleka’s flute and Martin’s bongos, which drove the jazzy acoustic ballad. The crowd chanted “ay, ay” as he danced, hopping around with Erfan before the beat intensified to his rap verse. 

The rest of the act displayed his and the band’s versatility as they played some of “SCRAPYARD’s” hits: “PRETTY PRIVILEGE” and “EVEN IF I TRIED.” Martin’s live drums added a powerful sense of rhythm, and Erfan’s guitar solos further deepened the songs’ emotional impact. Quadeca showed love for his band after taking a sip of “throat coat tea,” appreciating them as an “other voice” if his starts to go. 

He then played more from “Vanisher,” with breathtaking performances of “MONDAY” and “DANCING WITHOUT MOVING.” Oleka added serene vocals and flute as the crowd clapped along to the songs. Then, the stage was flooded with golden light for “Abandon Me,” his solo song from Kevin Abstract’s “Blush,” giving a heartwrenching performance. He displayed more of his range with “RUIN MY LIFE,” playing acoustic guitar, layering his sound with Erfan’s, as the band accompanied the ballad. 

Calling the crowd “amazing singers,” Quadeca encouraged them to sing the beats for the next few songs, simulating how he duplicates vocals in-studio for a choral effect. The audience sang the “ba-da-da, da-da, ba-da” part of the eerie “NATURAL CAUSES” and the “huh, huh” part of the intense “THUNDRRR.” The latter was the most energetic point of the concert as the song built up to levels unique to Quadeca’s maximalist production. Announcing one song left, they played “fractions of infinity.” The song’s ghostly lyrics, slow escalation and Sunday Service Choir vocals, created a tear-jerking moment. He left the crowd cheering for more, as chants of “one more song, please” erupted. The band came back on for “DUSTCUTTER,” and Quadeca played acoustic guitar for “THAT’S WHY” and “GUIDE DOG,” finishing his set with “From Me To You’s” hit, “Sisyphus,” an epic ending featuring synth arpeggios, crashing cymbals, and angelic vocal riffs from Oleka. 

Quadeca proved himself more than ready for his first headlining tour, playing an unforgettable performance that showcased his rich production style and masterful use of live musicians while also highlighting his earlier hits. He demonstrated humility and humor, interacting with the crowd and expressing appreciation. Watching him command a sold-out Boston audience, it was hard not to think back to those early YouTube days. Listening to him perform songs from each album revealed how dramatically he has grown, constantly surpassing all expectations, expanding his fanbase and defying new genres. With the “Vanisher, Horizon Scraper” album and tour, Quadeca shows beyond doubt that his journey is far from over.