Concert Review: Dave Dobbyn at Spark Cauldron, 1 November 2020
When Dave Dobbyn walks onto the stage there is a mood of triumph in the Spark Cauldron. The opening song, the old DD Smash anthem Outlook for Thursday. The band immediately locks in and rocks out. Horns, and the keyboards sounding like bagpipes.
Concert Photos: Devilskin & Shepherd’s Reign, Powerstation, 30 October 2020
Devilskin brought down the house at the Powerstation on Friday night with a heart-stomping set. The place was literally throbbing with punters who couldn’t get enough of the Hamilton-based heavy-metallers.
Concert Review: Punk-O-Ween, Galatos, 31 October 2020
There’s a blue moon tonight. No stopping the cretins from hopping. The kids are all hopped up and ready to go. A Punk Fest between two elections on Halloween Night in Auckland could well be a Rob Zombie fever dream. From the original Blank Generation (that’s me) to the Millenials. Here to pay respect to […]
Concert Review: Kate Owen – Frieda Margolis October 31, 2020
It’s been a week of thrilling musical events, Saturday night was here and it was Halloween. So, after dabbing on a bit of glitter, it was time to hit the town once more. After opening for Julia Deans as a solo act the previous night at Ponsonby Social Club, Kate Owen and her band performed […]
Concert Review: Julia Deans, Ponsonby Social Club, 30 October 2020
Julia Deans is solo tonight with just an acoustic guitar. With the opening song Clandestine and you are overwhelmed with a powerful voice. Powerful and sensual. The high peaks are hit effortlessly and sustained. Deep sadness. Twin Peaks floats down and surrounds. Kill ‘em and begin.
A Tale Of Two Venues: Tami Neilson at Flare & Ha The Unclear at Whammy
With so much happening around town last night, I found myself attempting to be in two places at once. Tami Neilson and her ace band were at a new venue called Flare which is in effect a space in and around the Sky City casino. Meanwhile Ha The Unclear kicked off their Strangers Tour at […]
Deva Mahal at the Tuning Fork, Auckland 30 October 2020
Larger-than-live Deva Mahal and little sister Zoe Moon rocked the Tuning Fork last night. Rachel Moidart files this commentary with some killer photos from Rachel Webb.
Concert Review: Troy Kingi, Hollywood Avondale, 25 October 2020
Another fine night of live music in the Elemental Series as Troy Kingi & The Clutch rocked The Hollywood Avondale.
Concert Review: Soaked Oats, Tuning Fork, 23 October 2020
Hypnotic Indie Pop drone melodies captivate and lift a boisterous crowd on the eve of a long weekend. Soaked Oats pull out a superlative show to usher in the long summer and try and banish any Lockdown blues. On their Say Hey and Play Some New Ones tour.
Concert Review: Avantdale Bowling Club, Hollywood Avondale, 23 October
Avantdale Bowling Club‘s Tom Scott returns to the stage for an utterly absorbing set in hometown Avondale
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.
Concert Review: Daffodils, Elemental Nights Hopetoun Alpha, 22 October 2020
The Greek-styling of the Hopetoun Alpha resonates to the perfect Power Pop sounds of Daffodils on a warm Auckland evening. Sunshine music. The hall packed and predominantly adolescent. With Chloe Swarbrick the biggest bolter on Election Night, maybe they do rule the heart of the city.
Concert Review: King Sweeties & Opossom – Hopetoun Alpha, October 20, 2020
Elemental Nights: Hopetoun Alpha Series “There’s Bic Runga!” an excited fan exclaimed as Bic and Cass Basil took to the stage for the first time as King Sweeties at Auckland’s Hopetoun Alpha.
Concert Review: Nathan Haines, Elemental Nights at Hopetoun Alpha, 18 October 2020
A Sunday night of great Jazz music, touching on many genres. Nathan Haines and the band deliver a near perfect set tonight. I don’t know what this music is, but I like it says father and bass player Kevin Haines. He is quoting a friend of his listening to him playing in the Sixties. This […]
Concert Review: Leisure at Hopetown Alpha, October 17 2020
Auckland’s Leisure kicked off level one with a punchy set of their infectious grooves at Hopetoun Alpha on Saturday night. A frisky, funk-filled dose of dance-floor escapism, it’s something the city hasn’t had enough of this year. The gig was the bands first since February, and part of the Elemental Festival.
Concert Review: Milly & the Miltones – Tuning Fork, Auckland October 16, 2020
They say the joint was rockin’, going ‘round and ‘round/ Yeah reeling and a rocking, what a crazy sound. From the opening song Innocence, to closing with the already classic Honest Woman. Cooked and burned for the whole set with great singer-songwriter Milly Tabak and her fabulous band The Miltones. Wang dang doodle all night […]
Concert Review: Benee – Spark Arena, October 16 2020
Straight out of lockdown and music phenomenon Benee has sold out two back-to-back shows at Spark Arena. It’s undeniably momentous for both the artist and the embracing Auckland crowd.
Concert Review: Gramsci – ASB Waterfront Theatre October 16, 2020
Proudly Prog. I think that best describes Paul McLaney’s relationship with the much-derided musical genre.
Gig Review: Church & AP at The Hollywood Avondale, 10 October 2020
Auckland hip-hop duo Church & AP unleash infectious energy, and new tracks, in the heart of Avondale
Concert review: Reid & Ruins, The Tuning Fork, 10 October 2020
Not a sound from the packed Tuning Fork in Auckland tonight. As we watch Nadia Reid and Hollie Fullbrook perform their literary, emotionally complex and musically lavish evolved Folk music. As their country-wide tour reaches the City of Sails and Viruses. Can testify to this personally. From the bar at the back, to the stage […]