Concert Review: Mako Road at Powerstation, 12 August 2021

Mako Road celebrates their new album Stranger Days at the Powerstation with No Cigar as an opener. Not a soul entered without their dancing shoes, and none left without a catchy melody stuck in their heads.

No Cigar

No Cigar opened the night nice and early with a surprisingly half-packed Powerstation already. Willy Ferrier, on main vocals, had an emotionality to his voice that was expressive and unique to find within the mix of an indie-pop band.

They are known to describe their genre as “pychediscofunkilicious”, which seems somewhat accurate. The five-piece band consisting of Willy Ferrier, Sam Benson on bass, Josh Morrice on lead guitar, Ned Gow on drums and James Mitchell on saxophone warmed up the crowd nicely with sick bass lines, emotive guitar solos and lots of tom builds. Willy’s very kiwi vocals accented their cover of I Shot The Sheriff well as he sang it, beer in hand to an audience more than happy to sing along.

About 45 more minutes than necessary later, Mako Road began. Why do bands always take forever to set up at the Powerstation? I would love to know.

Mako Road

Their set consisted of a couple of slow grooves alongside many songs that followed suit to what they’re well known for. However, they also played a few heavier rock songs that I haven’t heard much from them before. They have a refined sound, which most people in New Zealand love. But I’d love to hear them release a song that is truly distinguishable from the others, something truly fresh and new.

Connor Jaine’s bass riffs were pumping through the speaker next to me and, therefore, in my chest. Rhian Ward has a distinguishable voice that is warming and notable to the Mako Road sound. The lead guitarist, Connor McErlich, was barefoot, probably to truly feel the rhyme that Robbie Day on drums was creating as he leaned over his snare during fills like a chef tasting his masterpiece.

It smelt like weed and 20-something-year-olds. And people loved it every time they mixed in one of their older songs, such as Glimmer and Open Plan Living, amongst songs from their recently released album Stranger Days. The breakdown of Open Plan Living was a remarkable moment. A half time sensation makes it feel like slow motion before they kick back into a heavier rock section and then back into the chorus.

For a four piece band, you really don’t miss out on any sound. Their solos are so melodic, short and sweet and not over-complex. And that’s what makes them so memorable and singalongable, which is such a stand out aspect of their music.

I’ve seen Mako Road a few times now, and it seems that they’re still climbing the good old ladder in the NZ music industry, so I look forward to what they will bring to the scene next year!

– Jemilah Ross-Hayes