27/04/2025

There’s A Tuesday – Double Whammy: April 26, 2025 (13th Floor Concert Review)

There’s A Tuesday brought their Blush Tour to Auckland last night and we sent Azrie Aziz over to Double Whammy to do double duty…to shoot and review the show.

There’s A Tuesday, my personal indie darlings of New Zealand, took the stage for their first Auckland show since dropping their sophomore album, Blush. I first fell in love with them when they opened for Conan Gray back in 2022, and seeing them now, three years later, headlining a show with their latest work—it felt surreal.

Jenny Rockwell

The night kicked off with Jenny Rockwell, who set the perfect tone with a reading of her poetry. Her words captured themes of queerness, love, and identity, resonating deeply with the audience.

Her poetry painted vivid imagery—achingly beautiful yet deeply insightful. As someone who grew up in Auckland, her references to familiar landmarks—the chapel on Dominion Road, Albert Park—made the experience profoundly personal.

Some of her most moving lines included:

“Watch films and try on their personality like a snake shedding its skin in reverse.”

“Just this one time I want to talk about Queer Joy. When my partner holds me in the early hour of the morning, and we gently kiss each other goodbye and get on the bus to go to work. I pass by the chapel on Dominion Road, and my body no longer burns.”

“Just being alive is protest.”

The audience hung onto every word, breathing in sync with Jenny Rockwell’s poetry. Her collection, Vultures, available at DeadBirdBooks.com, is a must-read for those who cherish introspective, haunting poetry filled with themes of womanhood, loss, and redemption.

Daffodils

Next up were Daffodils, the beloved Tāmaki Makaurau indie band led by Theo Salmon, alongside Louis Graham on bass, Jade Bryham on keys and synth, and Isaac Keating on drums. Longtime friends who’ve been playing together since intermediate school, they brought an effortless camaraderie to the stage.

The crowd immediately warmed to them, even as the band kept the small talk minimal, sticking to quick jokes about the weather and the mostly static lighting. Despite their quiet presence, their music spoke volumes.

With his arsenal of guitars, Theo led the charge, delivering a sound reminiscent of Skegss, but with a more ethereal, dreamy synth twist. As the set progressed, Jade added lush harmonies that beautifully contrasted Theo’s raw, heart-worn delivery, sending the audience into a trance.

A standout moment came when Theo picked up a groovy blue guitar he had borrowed from a mate just half an hour earlier—crowd banter mistook it for a banjo—then pulled out a collar harmonica for an unreleased song co-written with Leo from Park Rd, who was in the audience. It’s definitely one to watch.

Lyrics floated out:

“I’m trying my best to relax, just to calm down…”

The combination of guitar and harmonica was raw and seamless, earning a roar of support. After finishing the song, Theo laughed, saying, “That was really fucking hard, thanks for sticking with me through that.”

Daffodils wrapped up their set with two more songs, culminating in an epic harmony fade into Strings, complete with another guitar swap. It was messy, heartfelt, and deeply human—the perfect indie band opener for There’s A Tuesday.

There’s A Tuesday

Finally, There’s A Tuesday took the stage at 10:00 PM, immediately lifting the room’s energy despite the occasional screeches during setup. The crowd, packed but warm and accommodating, buzzed with anticipation.

It had been a while since the four-piece band performed in Auckland—their last show here was a fundraiser in December 2024. Tonight, the Double Whammy was adorned with decorations inspired by Blush. A tiger plushie rested atop a speaker, while the infamous tiger from the album cover—a photo Minnie took in San Jose Del Pacifico, Mexico—was displayed on a tarp behind the band. The letters “TAT” were glued onto the front speakers, a subtle nod to their identity.

Their set began with Bad Things, the ethereal closing track from Blush. The song set the tone beautifully—melancholic, introspective, yet undeniably danceable.

Next came Billie, the first track from Blush. There’s A Tuesday has always been known for their ability to weave stories of queer love into their music, and Billie was another cherished addition. Despite the album being released only 16 days prior, the crowd sang along with full-hearted enthusiasm.

However, the most unforgettable singalong moments belonged to Girl at Night and To Amy—two of the band’s most beloved classics. Fans poured their emotions into every lyric, their voices filling the space.

“I don’t wanna leave the city, I always struggle sleeping in a hotel room.”

“You don’t have to say you love me.”

As a longtime fan, I had always dreamed of hearing a crowd united in singing these lines, and last night, I finally did.

Between songs, Nat charmed the audience with her effortless banter, asking, “Do you guys like slow and mellow songs? Yep, I’m sure you guys do.” That led into Long Distance Lovers, a gentle, aching ballad that had everyone swaying.

The energy surged once again when Girl at Night bathed the stage in stunning golden light, making for one of the most visually striking moments of the night.

While the Double Whammy’s sound system occasionally battled feedback, it never overshadowed the sheer magic unfolding on stage.

Then came a surprise: a stunning cover of Radiohead’s High and Dry. Stripped down and deeply emotional, their rendition felt like an intimate homage rather than just a cover. If Thom Yorke himself had been in the room, one might imagine a nod of approval.

For the encore, the band returned with Baby Blue, huddling together beneath deep blue lighting, transforming the moment into something raw and deeply personal.

Finally, they closed the night with another TAT classic—Amsterdam, sending the crowd into one last triumphant burst of joy. As the band dispersed through the backdoor, they soon returned to the stage, greeting fans, taking photos, giving away setlists, and sharing hugs all around.

They never shy away from connecting with their audience, and they’re some of the loveliest, most approachable people—just like their music.

Azrie Aziz

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