Sky Navy rocks with Florida-based artists at Austin’s Coffee, celebrating EP Ambivalence
Written by: Kat Baxley
ORLANDO, Florida – It was a pleasant Friday evening at Austin’s Coffee, and the smell of food from the kitchen filled the room as the crowd packed in to celebrate Sky Navy's EP release. The show was aptly named “Math Rock Summer,” featuring Florida-based opening acts Gangly Youth, Medians, and Ravenous Tanuki, and closer Sky Navy.
Gangly Youth, coming in from Melbourne, took to the stage at 8 p.m. on the dot, with the sun still peeking in through the big windows at the front of the shop. The crowd was in love with their sound, particularly in the group’s latest released song Escape Artist.
As the sun went down and night crept in, next up was Medians, hailing from Tallahassee. The act brought a relaxing vibe to the night with their complicated guitar riffs. There was a key moment when David Lloyd, guitarist of Sky Navy, was analyzing and left stunned by the guitar work of the band.
Ravenous Tanuki, based in Orlando, went on before the headliners of the night. Bringing their complex riffs to the stage, Ravenous Tanuki left everyone in attendance enthralled by their sound. Guitarist Dylan Walter took a moment before the end of their set to shout-out the bands, the crowd, Austin’s, and finally Sky Navy on the release of their EP, Ambivalence!
For the closing scene of the night, Sky Navy commenced with the EP’s opening track Sanction blasting through the speakers. As vocalists Foster Drew and Gabriel Lugo hit powerful notes, members of the audience were tearing up to lyrics about anxiety and carrying the weight of the past. Throughout the song, Drew ran around with a bubble blower showcasing his effervescence and whimsy.
Moving onto Woosh, Lugo and Drew went back and forth to put together an incredible performance. The next track titled Water Boy was another tearjerker for the crowd—it’s a slower ballad about lousy exes who think they know someone better than they know themself. Transitioning into the song Close Call, Sky Navy brought higher energy to the set, highlighting the intense chemistry among all members.
Soon afterwards, they played Ash Blossom, showing masterful guitar work from Lloyd and Christopher Taliaferro. There was a fierce moment during the number when Drew is carrying a note while falling to the floor and not taking a break, with Lugo simultaneously singing a powerful solo.
The night was supposed to close with Less Than 4, but the crowd was hungry for more, with everyone chanting, “One more song!” The band delivered by playing their self-titled track, a single from 2025, with Lugo sharing that he had the idea for the song while watching anime during community college.
Even though the shop was packed, the crowd managed to find room for some moshing to cap off the night. At the end of the number, Lugo and drummer Tyler Austin played together as Drew fell to the floor for the final time that night. When the song faded out, Drew and Lugo thanked the crowd for coming and supporting their EP as well as the opening acts for supporting the show.
