December 4, 2024

Artemas – Powerstation: December 3, 2024 (13th Floor Concert Review)

The skies were clear, but inside Auckland’s Powerstation, it was a different story—thick haze and fog engulfed the venue, setting the stage for an atmospheric night of dark RnB. Fans packed into the dimly lit space, buzzing with anticipation for the final stop of Artemas’ “You’re Really Early…” the tour.

13th Floor photographer Michael Jeong captured the night’s visual highlights, while reviewer Azrie Azizi—who has been a fan of Artemas since the start of the year—took in every moment. With nearly a year of listening to his infectious alt-pop tracks, Azrie was ready to see if the rising star could translate his online success into a memorable live experience. Spoiler alert: he didn’t disappoint.

Lontalius

The night kicked off with Lontalius (Eddie Johnston), a local talent whose soft, emotional ballads filled the hazy Powerstation. His set, built around love, loss, and self-reflection, was backed by nothing but a guitar and some dramatic spotlights. It was a mellow, intimate vibe — maybe too mellow for the superseding upbeat tunes of Artemas.

The crowd? Not exactly hooked. The chatter from the audience nearly drowned out Eddie’s heartfelt performance. Still, it was cool seeing a local artist open for a rising international star, especially since he admitted earlier in the year he wasn’t planning on playing live at all. Fast forward, and there he was, on a big stage, soaking up applause from a half-engaged crowd.

Artemas

By 9 PM, it was Artemas’ turn. The English-Cypriot alt-pop star stepped up and launched straight into I Always Kinda Knew You’d Be the Death of Me, trading his usual polished, autotuned sound for raw, live vocals — and wow, he nailed it.

Earlier that evening, I’d actually run into Artemas outside the venue. Yup, just casually walking around with a teammate, looking a little lost. We had a quick chat and he was a lovely lad. He was curious about how the crowd was like here in Auckland and I promised him the Kiwis in the Powerstation would give him a floor full of energy. I might’ve oversold that one…

Artemas

As his techno-style intro played and the strobes lit up the room like a nightclub, the crowd roared. But once the music really started, they mostly stayed put, nodding along instead of dancing. Artemas didn’t seem fazed. He worked the stage like a pro, bouncing from one side to the other, making eye contact with fans, and giving 110% to every note.

Hearing his tracks live, especially with a full band, was next-level. Caroline got a killer rock twist thanks to his electric guitarist, turning it into a mini pop-rock anthem. The lighting? Custome-rigged for the Powerstation, placed strategically behind the band and beaming to the crowd, perfectly timed to every beat, making it a full-on sensory experience.

One standout moment was a stripped-down version of If U Think I’m Pretty, where Artemas, bathed in static purple light, showcased the vulnerability in his voice. The haunting, slowed-down rendition highlighted the song’s themes of toxic relationships and obsession, offering a stark contrast to the upbeat production that usually defines his work. Then he flipped it, jumping back into the upbeat version that’s been blowing up online. Hearing these two versions just showcases the dynamic range of Artemas and his ability to produce songs with whatever tone he wishes to deliver. He is a mastermind in production.

The sound engineering at Powerstation tonight was impeccable—one of the best-mixed live performances I’ve experienced in a long time. Every element was perfectly balanced, with the backing tracks, live instruments, and Artemas’ raw vocals blending seamlessly. The clarity and precision of the mix amplified the energy of his set, making each track hit just right.

Of course, he saved the best for last: I Like the Way You Kiss Me. Artemas hyped it up as the final moment of the tour, asking the crowd for just a little more energy. They gave it their best, and while it wasn’t deafening, it was enough to end the night on a high note. Artemas, ever the performer, laughed it off and kept pushing, repeating the chorus, dancing, and leaving it all on the stage.

Sure, the crowd wasn’t the wildest, but Artemas didn’t let it hold him back. His live vocals were spot on, the band was tight, and the production was stellar. If anything, it made me respect him more — he gave it his all, even when the crowd didn’t quite match his energy.

For a fan who’s had his music on repeat for months, seeing him live at the PowerStation was a no-brainer. And if this show was any sign, Artemas is just getting started.