December 13, 2023

Alex G & Molly Payton – Powerstation: December 13, 2023

Alex G and Molly Payton performed at Auckland’s Powerstation last night. Here is Robin Kearns with his review and Josh Crossman with photos.

It’s a choppy sea crossing to Auckland this evening. I feel like I’m pushing a boat out metaphorically too. Unchartered waters. The day job’s been too busy to read up about Alex G. Oh well, ride the waves. As Marty says to 13^th Floor reviewers, pick something different and give it a go.

Walking out of the stormy Auckland retreat from summer into the familiar cave that is the Powerstation there’s something striking: how young the crowd is. Wouldn’t have guessed. We lean on the sound-desk barrier and…

Molly Payton

First up its Auckland born, recent Londoner, Molly Payton and band. The audience are with her from the get-go. Screaming. Cheering. As if she was the headline act.

She’s new to me. Striking in a Florence Welch sort of way. Powerful voice. She maybe a singular name, but she’s making a statement as part of a band tonight – standing to the right rather than the centre-stage, giving her bandmates space to shine. My fellow traveler says a hint of Joni Mitchell. Not sure. Maybe a hint from the fuller-on Dog Eat Dog era.

She’s young like the audience. Songs from the heart. The lyric “I want to be happy” arises in the first song. She certainly seems to be happy up on the stage. In her element. A dream, perhaps, to be opening for Alex G here at home.

An engaging six-song set. A solid rock’n’roll ethic. And a rock-solid voice at the heart of it all. I google her and am surprised she’s only 21. A bigger voice and bolder presence than her years.

Deep voice at times, driving rhythms, wise lyrics, a fine band and clearly connecting with the audience. Could almost be the headline act. Who knows? Maybe, another time.

Alex G

As the crowd mills about awaiting the headline act, I google him. Alexander Giannascoli. OK, condensing to Alex G makes sense. 30 years of age from Pennsylvania. Began playing guitar at 11, recorded his first two albums while at high school. Bedroom recordings self-released on Bandcamp. Studied English at Temple University but dropped out to pursue music. Tonight we’re the beneficiaries. Now touring his ninth album God Save the Animals.

He opens to audience adulation on a keyboard. Precise sounds, lo-fi voice-over. I’d read Alex G was a later-comer to studio recording. A little of that line of indie-pop looms large in Elliot Smith. And in his delicate piano reminds me of the bedroom pop of Pickle Darling. In louder washed of sound, moments of Tame Impala perhaps. All a swirling kaleidoscope of sound, wave after wave, like that ferry ride.

Second up, to the crowd’s delight its Runner. Acoustic guitar, the four in the band grouping together for a moment facing each other like a band of brothers. This feels like the rock version of avant-garde jazz: eclectic , precise, adventurous. From tinkling keys, to train-track rhythm then crashing guitars.

Alex uses his voice as another instrument. One moment a whisper, then next it heads off in a melody. Songs are short and Ramones-snappy.

“Kia ora! he says, a few songs in. The told us in Australia not to bother coming to Auckland”. If the audience needed to be brought any further on-side this was the rally call…

Mission is a thunderous, passionate and marvelous jam-like occasion. Channeling a bit of Neil Young and Crazy Horse. Brick has Mr G standing over his keyboard, and prowling about. This time a hint of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. Pop sensibility sneaks in with a run of songs named Sarah, Mary and Gretel. Precise and sudden endings. He’s clearly been inspired by the women in his life.

An hour in we’re told there are two more songs then there will be an encore after a short break. All very transparent. The break’s short but the encore long. Seven on my count. Any established set list gets scrambled by requests and whispers in the ears of band members. I step out into the street to the last song, Sugarhouse

Somewhere in tonight’s set was the lyric “How many songs am I supposed to write”? A version of the artist’s dilemma maybe.

I carry that question home across calmer seas, glad to have pushed the boat out.

Robin Kearns

Click on any image to view a photo gallery by Josh Crossman

Alex G: