April 15, 2022

Michael James Keane – Whammy Bar (April 14, 2022)

Michael James Keane brought his Wandering Bull Album Tour to Auckland’s Whammy Bar just as the city slipped into Orange and as it readied itself for an Easter weekend.

I’ve gotta say that the mood wasn’t exactly festive as I walked along K Road to St. Kevin’s Arcade. Regular visitors to the area will have probably noticed that the “street life” on K has gotten increasingly nasty. Its not uncommon to encounter people who seem very much out of it, they are often loud, staggering and possibly violent. I haven’t had any close encounters myself, but I can’t see how this recently revealed darker side of the city will help get punters back out in the bars, restaurants and cafes.

Once safely inside…after having my vax pass scanned…as noted by rockin’ Paul Reid…things seemed fairly normal, although rather sedate.

The bar staff, the sound man and most of the (seated) audience were wearing masks, if they weren’t drinking.

And just like last time I was at Whammy, back in January, Jazmine Mary was holding down the opening slot. Previously, Julia Deans was the headliner and Jazmine had a band with her in the form of Peter Ruddell and Courtney Rodgers, tonight she was on her own.

Having just touched down from Australia, Jazmine, decked out in a striped pants-suit, opened with Skeleton, from her album, The Licking Of The Tangerine.

“I am Jazmine Mary, and this is music”, she announced…and who could argue?

Her 7-song set contained songs titled Rodeo and Seagull… both premiered at the January show and both, I’m assuming to be featured on her next recording.

Even without Peter and Courtney, Jazmine can whip up a storms on her own, there were primal screams, there were intense lyrics and there were eggs served on the plane from Aussie, which she found profoundly “weird”.

Jazmine moved from guitar to keys for another new song, You’re Never Alone If You’ve Got Music, then she left with one last “yeowl”.

Michel James Keane brought pedal steel player Daniel Cuzens up from Wellington with him to help celebrate and replicate the songs from his new album, Wandering Bull. Daniel was set up in the far left corner behind his keys, long hair dangling and face obscured by his mask. I know the pedal steel is generally associated with Country music, but Cuzens’ sound was anything but Country…sounding more like a musical siren.

Fortunately Michael was front and centre and maskless as the 45-minute set got underway with a trio of tunes from the new album beginning with Ceramic Tide.

Keane’s voice is low…he’s been called New Zealand’s Nick Cave…and his stage chatter is deadpan at best, making for a solemn. if not dark, Good Friday eve.

By this time the room had filled up nicely and the crowd…such as it was…was rapt.

Keane claimed to be “nervous in the big city” but the deep voice commanded both attention and respect.

After a live premiere of title track Wandering Bull, Michael dipped into his previous album, The Cascade for a few, including I Was Dancing.

“I wrote that song when I was asleep (pause) in the psychiatric ward (uncomfortable pause)…I wrote this song when I was awake…in the psychiatric ward”.

It was that kind of night.

After Midnight Scene, Keane intro’d “another big hit” and closed the night with Inside.

With visions of Easter Eggs dancing in our heads, we spilled out onto K Rd and made a hasty retreat back home…safe and sound.

Marty Duda

Click on any image to view a photo gallery.

Michael James Keane setlist: