07/09/2025

Bic Runga & The Auckland Philharmonia – Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre: September 6, 2025

Bic Runga was backed by the Auckland Philharmonia last night at the Aotea Centre in a Beautiful Collision of her much loved material with the might of an outstanding orchestra. Carin Newbould was there to report back for The 13^th Floor, with Azrie Azizi photographing the leading lady and her extensive backing ensemble.

BIC RUNGA surely qualifies as Queen of New Zealand musical royalty, alongside her crown princess sisters Pearl and Boh. In the thirty years since she wrote and demoed Drive, this monarch of the soulful pop ballad has maintained her place in Aotearoa’s music scene, quietly adding to her much-loved repertoire across the years.

That repertoire was treated to the biggest and best backing group in the country last night when Bic was joined by the Auckland Philharmonia. With orchestral arrangements by Erkki Veltheim, Tom Rainey and Graeme Downes, Runga’s pure vocals were accompanied by energetic strings, wonderful woodwind, enthusiastic brass and a full percussion section. It was truly a Beautiful Collision; never overwhelming, but fabulous to witness hugely talented musicians enhancing familiar but understated melodies under the jovial control of conductor David Kay.

The programme covered material from Runga’s first three studio albums, Drive, Beautiful Collision and Birds. Curiously, there was nothing included from her most recent albums (Belle and Close Your Eyes), and unfortunately Winning Arrow was also missing – a shame, as it would have fit nicely into the set list. However, we were treated to three new songs from an album which is “coming out soon” with her first single It’s Like Summertime set to be released in the next couple of weeks – Runga telling us it’s her “first record in 14 years”.

Kody Nielson is Runga’s partner and featured prominently as drummer for the night, front and centre alongside his missus in front of the Phil. On bass was all-rounder Cass Basil. Both halves of the concert started with instrumental pieces he’d composed, on the theme of family birthdays – Bic’s Birthday providing a fanfare start to the gig, strong on the strings, with Bonny’s Birthday more sombre, reflective and melodic.

Following these openers, Bic Runga came on stage in a blush pink, full length gown, starting off with Precious Things from 2002’s Beautiful Collision album. It hasn’t dated, still sounding fresh whilst remaining poignant. It was great to have impeccably well balanced sound, ensuring that the Phil didn’t overpower Bic’s vocals and the familiar lyrics were still easy to lose yourself in. Her plaintive delivery and deceptively simple words belie the depth of emotion in Runga’s songs; the list of observations in She Left on a Monday, for example, illustrating that this is poetry and deep feeling set to music.

Some of the songs have been so reflective and understated that Runga could be accused of leaning toward melancholy. This wasn’t the case; it was a fun evening, with a glitterball turning the theatre into a nightclub and plenty of whoops and applause from the audience. Birds was augmented by piccolo and flute providing convincing bird sounds and new song Red Sunset had a groovy vibe with a trombone interlude and prominent xylophone.

Bursting Through, from Bic’s debut album, Drive, commenced with a heavy drum intro. At times, Nielson seemed to be channelling Dave Grohl – all dark hair and frenzied stickwork. This was particularly apparent in another of Nielson’s “birthday” tributes which followed the interval, with quirky orchestration to launch the second half. He invited the audience to “feel free to get up for this one!” but didn’t seem to be taken up on the offer, despite the funky high hat beats. It wasn’t really a dancing kind of night… more a melodic meander through meaningful melodies. Runga changed into a shimmering, sequinned sheath dress for the second half, adding to the spinning glitterball for a Sixties lounge singer vibe.

If it wasn’t for the sophistication of the evening and being backed by a full orchestra, she could just have easily delivered these tunes in a folk style, boho-chic and barefoot. Runga stayed true to her origins as a singer-songwriter, taking up her guitar for several songs (including Drive) and opening Listening for the Weather on harmonica, beautifully augmented by the woodwind and brass sections.

Bic seemed comfortable, at ease and appeared to be enjoying herself. In a powerful spotlight for Gravity, she sang “I forget myself when I’m with you/ Please remind me who I am”. The evening seemed to remind Runga of who she is and just how much she’s loved, with an overwhelmingly enthusiastic and receptive audience filling the huge venue. It was a brief but beautiful concert – two halves of 40 minutes apiece, with the whole thing wrapped up at 9.10pm – which left the audience wanting more. No doubt the fan base will be listening out for the new album and waiting to see in what direction Runga will be driving – the samples she offered, Escape from Planet Earth, It’s Like Summertime and Red Sunset were both catchy and captivating.

Overall, this was a fabulous get together with an old friend, reminiscing over old tunes with a huge ensemble of talented mates along for the ride. It was a lovely (S)way to spend a Saturday evening… classy, melodic and memorable. This wasn’t just Something Good, it was outstanding. Kudos to the Phil and bravo Bic!

Carin Newbould

Click on any image to view a photo gallery by Azrie Azizi: