Concert Review: Lou’ana, Q Theatre, November 26, 2020

Lou’ana performed two shows at Auckland’s Q Theatre. The first sold out, so we caught the late show and am so glad not to have missed out.

Premiering her new album, the full title of tonight’s extravaganza was:  LOU’ANA: Moonlight Madness Album Release – A Sixties Witch’s Carnival.

With an 8-piece band including two string players it really was an extravaganza. In case you haven’t heard Lou’ana before…think a slightly raspier Amy Winehouse who can let rip on electric guitar when she wants to.

Her Moonlight Madness album has been three long years in the making but it’s finally here and very much worth the wait. The red vinyl sounds great but this band is something else live.

In addition to Lou’ana on vocals and guitar, there is guitarist Jason and Herbert and keyboard man Dillon Riesterer who both feature on the record as does violin player Nathan Judd who was aided and abetted by the always wonderful Pascal Roggen on loan from Albi and The Wolves. The remainder of the band is: Jess Hix – Vibraphone / Percussion, Cameron McArthur – Bass and Cam Sangster – Drums

Adding even more spice to the mix was burlesque dancer Michelle Kasey. All this on a Thursday night!

While Lou’ana’s sound does owe a bit to the Amy Winehouse/Ronettes school of retro soul there is a whole lot more to enjoy.

This was evident during the heart of the show as she and the band went from Love Bind with its early 60s Ronnie Spector sound, and as described by Lou’ana, a 60’s witches musical. Then it was over to the other end of that decade with Day Dreams, as Lou’ana proved she can reel off Hendrix-style licks with the best of them. Then istwas time to quiet down with the appropriately-titled Silence…mostly just acoustic guitar and voice.

From there we were encouraged to “have a boogie” with the Isaac Hayes-ish Move Along providing the soundtrack.

Booties were still shaking, with Lou’ana’s coven out in force for set closer Moonlight Madness and a very well-received I Will Survive.

What a night, what a band and what a performance. Hopefully there will be more shows to come.

Marty Duda

 

Lou’ana set list:

1. Summer In May
2. Don’t Let Me Fall
3. Eye To Eye
4. Feel This
5. Empty Heart
6. Reign
7. Blue
8. Love Bind
9. Day Dreams
10. Silence
11. Move Along
12. Moonlight Madness
13. I Will Survive