Concert Review: Adam Hattaway & The Haunters – Wine Cellar November 27, 2020

Adam Hattaway and his Haunters began his tour on Halloween in Christchurch (appropriately enough) and now finally arrives in Auckland.

Along with Adam Hattaway tonight’s lineup features Edward Castelow (the artist formerly known as Dictaphone Blues) and Kendall Elise and her band The Belgraves.

Mr Castelow got the evening started with a handful of literate, thoughtful songs accompanied by his own delicate finger-picking. His wife, due to give birth in 6 weeks sat in the audience cheering him on.

We last saw Kendall at The Anthology Lounge a few weeks ago performing a solo set. This time she’s got her band with her and this is our first chance to hear her new songs fully-fleshed out. Along with new tunes such as Between Hello And Goodbye and You Gotta Be A Little Bit Mad we heard old favourites such as Rad Earth and her cover of Suzie Quatro’s Your Mama Won’t Like Me.

As always guitarist John Segovia was sounding twangy and tangy and the band now has a second guitarist in the form of Kevin Place.

Be on the lookout for a new album soon.

Adam Hattaway began his set solo with Take Good Care Of You from Crying Lessons but the band filed in and took the stage in time to finish up the song with a bang.

The Haunters are: Elmore Jones (guitar), Liam Quinn (bass) and Ryan Fisherman (drums). Adam himself handles vocals, guitar and harmonica.

The former member of The Eastern strike a curious personae on stage, alternating between  his regular singing voice and a rather other worldly falsetto while give of an air of “awkward cool”.

It sounds like the band has gelled nicely on this tour rocking out when needed and holding back when appropriate. Adam’s vocals got a bit lost in the mix, so some of the lyrics got lost.

They whipped through their set in under 45 minutes wrapping up with a cover of Dylan’s Shooting Star from Oh Mercy, leaving no question that this is a band to watch.

Marty Duda

Click on any image to view a full size gallery of photos by Veronica McLaughlin Photography

Adam Hattaway & The Haunters

Kendall Elise & The Belgraves

Edward Castelow