Concert Review: Marlin’s Dreaming -Elemental Nights – Hopetoun Alpha, October 23, 2020

It’s the new sound of Dunedin here in Auckland. Marlins Dreaming did their bit for Elemental Nights with a lovely, polished, slightly fuzzy set at Hopetoun Alpha.

Without appearing to suck up too much to the promotors…whoever came up with this Elemental Nights concept knew what they were doing. The timing has been perfect.

And while not every show has been a 10 out of 10, they all have plenty to offer the curious music fan.

One show that was close to 10 out of 10 was last night’s Marlins Dreaming concert. These four Dunedin-ites proved that there is still plenty of musical inspiration in the deep South. While I’m sure that they are aware of their city’s legacy, they manage to make a few musical nods in that direction without a trace of nostalgia.

This four-piece is comprised of vocalist Semisi Maiai, guitarist De Stevens, bass player Oscar Johns and drummer Hamish Morgan.

The band had been based in Auckland when they recorded their album, Quotidian, at Roundhead Studios. The record was released this past April and then the band, minus original guitarist Leith Towers, retreated down south where they picked up Stevens. In true Kiwi music fashion, no feelings were hurt and Towers even made a guest appearance for one song halfway through the set.

On record, the band’s sound is mildly psychedelic with vocals bathed in reverb. The psych element is still there in the live show, but the reverb is turned down to enable a better connection with the audience.

Which is better? Neither! Each approach is appropriate for the chosen listening environment.

And speaking of the audience…during this show they were mostly young, mostly well-behaved and very attentive to what was going down on stage. The chatter level was at a minimum and the phones didn’t seem to be a distraction.

And why would they be? Songs like Sink Or Swim, Lick The Brains and Alike (all from the new album) are smart, sophisticated modern pop/rocks songs that are easy to love. The band takes just enough chances in tempo and lyrics to keep things interesting and the crowd seemed to stay right with them.

This was one of the highlights  of the (hopefully) post-Covid season and spending time in Hopetoun Alpha is also a treat. It not a perfect venue…the stage is a bit too high…but it has character.

Every time I walk in I am sent back 25 + years to when I was witness to Tony Conrad’s very memorable show in the same room. The pioneering musician who helped incubate The Velvet Underground played his cello from upstairs in the Alpha with a light casting a shadow for the audience to see. And he basically played one droning note for the entire 90-minute set! What an experience. And one that, thanks to the communal nature of concert going, I was able to relive/recount with someone else who was there.

This may not be New York, or Liverpool or Berlin, but right here right now this feels like the centre of the musical universe and I, for one am so happy to be here.

My only question after this show…is there supposed to be an apostrophe in “Marlins” or not? Please help!

Marty Duda

Click on any image to view a full-size gallery of each artist. All photos by Rachel Webb.

Marlin’s Dreaming

Phoebe Rings

Marlins Dreaming setlist (provided by the band)