October 17, 2024

Ash – Tuning Fork: October 16, 2024 (13th Floor Concert Review)

Ash returned to Auckland’s Tuning Fork and The 13th Floor was on the scene with Monique Perera providing the words and Den O’Keeffe the pictures.

It’s not everyday one gets to meet their childhood idols …. And I myself, am by no means a typical fan girl; but I am the most passionate music lover, and so this particularly warm and near-full moon energy charged evening, I did …..

Playing at the Tuning Fork – Auckland, amidst a sea of post-midlife gray haired men and a surprisingly eclectic mix of loved up couples and millennial enthusiastic rock enthusiasts. I was lucky enough to experience one of the most prolific catalogue of alternative rock hits, by none other than Northern Irelands own Ash at their very last leg of their Singles Tour 1994 – 2024.

The venue was perfect for both my mood that day and the vibe of the avid fans and heroes of the sound. The Tuning Fork was both intimate enough, yet with decent acoustics, to bring the heavily charged guitar anthems and frenetic performances effectively to the devoted audience.

To me, the lighting was perfect, perfectly dimmed to present such revered rock heroes to a perfectly hulled crowd.

Napoleon Baby

Supporting Ash and ever so echoing their signature style, in the tune of bold and energetic guitar riffs, come Napoleon Baby. Consisting of the three band members, currently all residing and mainly hailing and touring NZ in support of Dan, Jamie & co. and playing a selection of tracks from their debut EP Unworthy Boys, with one particular track giving big ballad vibes, reminiscent of the late Jeff Buckley in both delivery and the poetic hold and personal style of lead singer Dan. Unworthy Boys being one such track, shortly followed by a definitively sweeter and progressively moving Sailor.

Their pace became softer and almost rather plodding in some ways towards the end, however slowly regaining in its intensity, with the track – Positive Reinforcements

Strongly closing with the aptly titled Goodbye and Goodluck! It was a unique and artistic execution of mystical and rather surreal melodies.

Ash

After a much needed interval, to recharge the batteries and prepare myself, to finally experience this pivotal moment in my concert going history, my inner rock child was again enlivened, with the arrival of Tim Wheeler (vocalist and guitarist) and long standing bassist Mark Hamilton and Rick McMurray, their irrepressible drummer! Opening with my personal fan favourite, Goldfinger; my companion and I were at the best vantage point to witness the start of something truly insane … A non-stop array of electric hits from their eponymous albums – from 1977 (1976) to Free All Angel’s (2001) and a couple of their later tracks Orpheus and Race the Night did not fail to disappoint! ‘All years are lost in the blink of an eye …’ Did not seem to be the case at all for these still, so strapping and brawny as ever. With the enviable vigour and appeal of their 90’s prime and the soft and remarkably demure Northern Irish accent too, a definite winner for me 😊

Barely pausing for breath, they churned out hit after hit. From their more earlier discography

Jack Names the Planets to their unforgettable hits over their sublime career span: Kung Fu, Girl From Mars, from the same titled film – A Life Less Ordinary rounding up with the more softer and most melodic Shining Light, from Free All Angels

The drummer was flawless and phenomenal; never once losing memento and equally as impressive were lead Tim and unrivaled in both momentum and rock legend flair and technique, his power bassist Mark.

Up close and in the throes of the quintessential rock concert, my friend I sweated and rocked from start to finish with as much unparalleled energy, as both our wonderful musical geniuses and fellow devoted fans.

‘An epiphany that burns so pretty …’ Is such a resonate metaphor to describe such a much-anticipated experience!

Everything was Burn Baby Burn all the way to the very end!

Monique Perera

Click on any image to view a photo gallery by Den O’Keeffe

Ash: