Nadia Reid – Tuning Fork April 26, 2017

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18 days after we all first convened at Auckland’s Tuning Fork to witness Nadia Reid’s final show of her current tour, her faithful fans returned. Postponed first by failing health, and then a cyclone, Nadia finally got the chance to finish what she started back on April 8th.

So, after a brief set by Steve Able, Nadia was back on stage, facing a packed house. And just like the previous attempt, she began with a new song, All Of My Love, performed solo. Then, just as before, guitarist Sam Taylor and bass player Richie Pickard joined in for Preservation.

But then, with drummer Chris O’Conner rounding out the band, Nadia finished her third song, Reaching Through. This is where it all went pear-shaped before. But Nadia was obviously feeling much better this time.

“You were jumping! Thank you for jumping”, she exclaimed as audience members celebrated the big, full sound created by the quartet.

She thanked everyone for coming back and continued with another jangly rocker…Right On Time.

While Nadia’s crystalline voice was sounding strong and true, and the band was right on the money, there was some awkwardness between the songs.

First Nadia told us about her and Sam’s recent trip to Australia, telling us that their time in Newcastle was not ideal

“I went in with a very, very open mind,” she assured us. “I’ll leave it at that”. While later she told us that, somewhat disturbingly, “I thought I was going to get punched”.

Then, after playing I Come Home To You she announced, “We made another record. Has anybody heard it?”

This was answered with a smattering of applause, which seemed to take Reid back for a second. “That’s a few less than Dunedin”, she noted.

Later, Nadia admitted, “Tonight feels a little bit disjointed…but we’re all here together”.

Indeed it did and indeed we were.

And the music did not suffer.

Chris O’Connor proved what an inventive percussionist he is during Te Aro, while Sam Taylor’s guitar playing shone throughout the night. Even bassist Richie Pickard got a solo in during Richard.

The set finished just over an hour after it began with Holy Low, a highlight from debut album, Listen To Formation, Look For The Signs.

The encore consisted of The Arrow & The Aim…one of Preservation’s best…and finally Call The Days.

It wasn’t quite the love-fest I was expecting as there did seem to be some tension in the air, but ultimately Nadia triumphed.

I spoke to a young woman before the show who was there on recommendation by friends…she had never actually heard Nadia’s music…I saw her again when leaving The Tuning Fork and she was convinced, looking forward to going home and buying Preservation on-line.

So, third time was the charm…but, hey, it might not be over after all…it looks like another show may be in the offing…

Marty Duda

Click on any image to view a photo gallery by Michael Flynn:

Nadia Reid set list:

  1. All Of My Love
  2. Preservation
  3. Reaching Through
  4. Right On Time
  5. I Come Home To You
  6. Te Aro
  7. The Way It Goes
  8. Hanson St Pt.2 (A River)
  9. Reach My Destination
  10. Richard
  11. Ruby
  12. Some Are Lucky
  13. Holy Low
  14. The Arrow & The Aim
  15. Call The Days
Marty Duda
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