Concert Review:  Mild Orange – Powerstation, November 20, 2020

0

A packed Powerstation and Mild Orange are melting out their Dream Pop into the well juiced revelers and musical questers. No concept of social distancing whatsoever. One mask in total. Freeing the mind and spirit from the dark forces of Control.

The band have described their Orange music as the heightening of optimism and happiness. They hail from Dunedin and specifically they are Varsity Scarfies. Have the heritage of Indie Rock and Pop of that town behind them but I would not limit their music to any particular scene.

Down by the River and First Taste and they set the tone for the performance. Chiming and jingle jangle morning drone guitars meshed with Eastern ringing tones. Slow rhythmic builds with the drums strong on propulsion whilst avoiding too many fills.

Their sound seems to emanate from the Byrd’s most underrated album, Those Notorious Byrd Brothers. That was dropped on the world at a time of maximum turmoil, grief, fear and anger that was 1968. America rioting and burning. Paris in uprising. Street fighting men and Lennon wonders about a revolution. McGuinn and his fractious mates were pulling apart, but came up with far-seeing spiritual and melodic Folk Pop to centre and calm distress.

Change is now/ Truth is real/ Dance to the day when fear it is gone.

Support tonight is BEING. Jasmine Balmer is the guiding force. Singer, acoustic and electric guitarist and writer. She crafts well-executed bright Indie-Pop with a distinctive voice that can ride into the higher tones and sustain.

They recently opened for the Miltones at the Tuning Fork. Tonight, the Station is full already and the noise level is the loudest I have been to since Lockdown.  Bottled spirit is flowing freely and everyone is boisterous. The vocals are hard to hear and it takes a few songs for her to adjust.

This is Dream Pop too, but with an emphasis on bright, sunny melody.

She has with her Tom Broome, drummer for the Miltones. Adds the power to the music and keeps it swinging. Maria Hodgson on bass and Simon Cavanagh-Vincent on lead guitar.

I Don’t Believe in Love is brand new and sung as an incantation. Lucy is full of ringing guitar with some Surf tones from the blended sound. Voice stays high, light and airy.

Of the four Oranges, Josh Mertens is the singer, guitarist, songwriter and producer. Whilst you may not catch the lyrics tonight, he is able to blend his voice into the shimmering tones of the music. Josh Reid lead guitar, Tom Kelk bass and Jack Ferguson drums.

Like those original pioneering Folk Rockers this is not a music of soloists or dominating voices. Singing is unadorned and without affect. Slight shifts in tempo have an amplifying effect. They don’t use harmony vocals. Like Joey Ramone. Occasionally there will be a yelp or a high wail.

The engine room drum and bass lock in to the rhythmic drone mantra quickly and excel on the extended workouts on songs like Making Things and One.

Sure Thing starts with gunshots from the drums before the guitars shimmer and lead into an extended Dream drone. A pastoral meadow floats over the noisy happy punters. Keyboard textures appear as if by alchemy.

Hey is a quiet melodic song on record. Onstage they play with extra energy and the front of house sings/shouts along.

In the Living Room is the one which sound closest to Folk. They are able to project it soft and slow. And merge it seamlessly in this fashion to Freak in Me.

Where Are We Now? They come back for this and make it their closer. It’s just not over.

It is for tonight and it is a great way to end an intoxicating night. But this is what we have to contemplate now as the Year of Madness comes to end. Mild Orange and many other fine local artists are promising a summer of exceptional music.

Rev Orange Peel

Click on any image to view a photo gallery by Ivan Karczewski:

                          

Rev Orange Peel
Latest posts by Rev Orange Peel (see all)