25/10/2025

Mema Wilda & The Dopamen – The Button Factory: October 24, 2025

Its been a while since I’ve seen Mema Wilda performing but last night at The Button Factory proved the wait was worth it.

It was my first time at The Button Factory, and even though I knew the address (2 Abbey St) I was difficult to track down…the sign was helpful, the lighting…not so much.

But once up and into the venue, all was good. There was no alcohol available at the bar…but a selection of fizzy drinks and juices and a few chairs set up in front of a stage that looked just right for an intimate musical experience.

Marmalade

Marmalade were up first…or at least two of them. Normally a five piece, the duo of Jemilah Ross-Hayes and Koen Aldershof were on hand tonight, fresh off a tour/vacation in and around Europe.

Both Jemilah and Koen are “friends” of The 13^th Floor and so we are happy to report that he duo were sounding positively lovely during the 40 minutes they spent singing their nine songs…all originals, save a cover of Fleetwood Mac’s Dreams.

The band has an EP out, titled Sober, with a live version, recorded at RNZ due out soon. We got a good sampling of the EP, plus the Stevie Nicks cover and a few new tunes including new single, Chelsea…due out just after the live EP.

Jemilah and Koen are at their best when harmonizing, and there was plenty of that during the set. A tendency to stop down for tuning was a minor annoyance…otherwise all was good.

Mema Wilda &THe Dopamen

I’ve been entranced by Mema…a Samoan/Kiwi songwriter/singer since I first saw her back in 2021.

Whether playing before a relatively large crowd, as she and her band did at The Powerstation, opening for Larkin Poe in 2023, or treating fans to a smaller, more intimate affair as she and her brother did at Uxebridge Theatre last year, Mema never fails to impress.

This time around, Mema was backed by The Dopamen…longtime bassist Mitch French, guitarist Nathan Boston and Greg Haver on drums. Haver is an internationally acclaimed producer who has worked with the likes of the Manic Street Preachers and Catatonia.

He is so dedicated to this project that he drummed despite having injured his leg in a fall very recently. But a walking cane got him up on stage and from there on he was completely on form.

As was Mema

Mema herself is a striking figure…especially with those boots. Along with the boots she has big hair, big attitude and a voice to match.

And her songs are always something special.

Tonight, the music took o a psychedelic soul vibe, thanks o Nathan’s guitar sounds.

Mitch and Greg were solidly in the pocket as Mema immersed herself in original song such as Wonderland, Rocket Spliff and Get YourTime.

For me, Mema is at her best on songs like Israel and Everything & Nothing, where her simmering intensity gives her voice and attitude something to latch on to.

No matter what the setting, Mema Wilda is an artist worth watching and hearing. I’m hoping this new configuration and collaboration with Greg Haver produces the kind of work she is capable of making.

Marty Duda

Click on any image to view a photo gallery by Chris Zwaagdyk:

Mema Wilda & The Dopamen: