Concert Review: Kurt Vile & The Violators – Powerstation April 11, 2019

Heads were nodding and bodies were swaying as Kurt Vile hypnotized a sell-out crowd at Auckland’s Powerstation.

I spent a bit of time last night asking myself why I enjoy going to Kurt Vile gigs so much. This has been the fourth or fifth time I’ve seen him, and it’s essentially the same show every time.

Kurt and his band amble out, Vile mutters a few words into the microphone and then with his head down, face obscured by his long hair, he and The Violators launch into a rambling guitar-driven tune, lyrics often unintelligible.

Maybe it because I really like the sound of the electric guitar.

But I think it’s more than that.

Hunched over his guitar, seemingly oblivious to the 1000 or so fans watching, Vile seems to go totally within himself while performing. It’s as though we are suddenly privy to his most inner thoughts.

I reckon this explains the random yelps and howls Kurt emits throughout his concerts.  It’s just his subconscious working its way out and expressing itself.

Well, enough of the deep and meaningful.

Kurt and his band, Jesse Trbovich and Rob Laakso, both of whom played guitar, bass and keyboards, along with drummer Kyle Spence, put on a typically perfect Violators show.

They opened with Loading Zones, from new album, Bottle It In, sounding like Crazy Horse bolting the fence.

That transformed into the jangly Jesus Fever and then on to the epic Bassackwards.

Not bad for a start.

I’m An Outlaw saw Kurt reach for his banjo, and then it was back to the guitar crunch of Check Baby.

The band left the stage after a moody Cold Was The Wind as Vile performed Peepin’ Tom on his own.

Jesse returned for Heart Attack and then it was all hands on deck for Yeah Bones.

I was constantly impressed with Vile’s guitar sounds, whether he was playing an electric or acoustic, his playing cut through and hit the heart.

Crowd favourite Pretty Pimpin’ was the logical encore and then Kurt closed things out on his own with a lovely Runner Ups.

Yep, I love the sound of the electric guitar, which explains why I could listen to Kurt Vile and The Violators all night.

Marty Duda

Click on any image to view a photo gallery by Rachel Webb:

Kurt Vile & The Violators set list:

1. Loading Zones
2. Jesus Fever
3. Bassackwards
4. I’m An Outlaw
5. Check Baby
6. Girl Called Alex
7. Cold Was The Wind
8. Peepin’ Tom
9. Heart Attack
10. Yeah Bones
11. Wakin’ On A Pretty Day
12. KV Crimes
13. Puppet To The Man
14. Wild Imagination
15. Pretty Pimpin’
16. Runner Ups