Concert Review: Sam Bartells, Velvet Arrow, Grace Kelly, Anthology Lounge, 8 October 2020
Sam Bartells has grabbed attention in Nashville which is exceedingly difficult to do. The reason is soon made clear as he and his backing band fire up the Anthology Lounge. It’s the launch party for the recently released Let’s Go EP, recorded in Music City.
Concert Review: Finn Johansson and Jazmine Mary, Wine Cellar, 8 October 2020
Intense, emotional and committed performances from Finn Johansson and Jazmine Mary, as they do their final show of this North Island tour. A few weeks ago, they could not get here. Stopped at Border Control Auckland. Some spirit was investing the Cellar tonight and channeling through the musicians and ultimately us. Take a load off […]
Concert Review: Rubita – Wine Cellar October 3, 2020
Rubita is Spanish for Blondie. Tonight, the Hamilton band whip their Jazz Pop debut album Distinctive Thrill into shape with some inspirational energy. Not cowering at home but being bold and brave. Thanks for the courage to come out Auckland say Rubita.
Concert Review: Taiko 6, Ponsonby Social Club, 25 September 2020
A special evening of East-West music. Ancient Taiko drums from Japan. With young Jazz musicians combining familiar instruments and electronic effects to deliver a unique live experience that would fit perfectly into a WOMAD festival. When we are allowed to celebrate life again.
Concert Review: Aro, Onewhero Performing Arts Theatre, 26 September 2020
Folk duo Aro captivate a Heartland audience for a Saturday evening with their songs deeply rooted in the land and language of Aotearoa New Zealand. Te Reo would not just be one week of appreciation if it’s also coming in under the radar as popular music.
Concert Review: Mousey, Wine Cellar, 24 Sept 2020
Christchurch Indie-Pop band Mousey are bravely charging ahead with a national tour, promoting an album that’s are only half recorded. Seismic vibrations can shake you out of hiding and resignation. Flew up this morning to launch Rolling Thunder with a special early show at The Wine Cellar in Auckland tonight. They had no trouble selling […]
Concert Review: Women About Sound Present Sahara Adams, Joanne Slagel, and Manuela, Wine Cellar, 17 September 2020
A quiet night in Auckland. A city being beaten into submission. Three highly talented young female musicians turn on the bright lights with passion and some fire. Sahara Adams, Joanne Slagel and Manuela. Acoustic and minimalist in presentation by the necessity of the times. All three transcend any limitations effortlessly.
Concert Review: Hollie Smith – Ponsonby Social Club September 11, 2020
“These songs are the bones”, says Hollie Smith early in her show, the second this week at the Ponsonby Social Club.
Concert Review: Thabani Gapara Project – Ponsonby Social Club, Auckland September 5, 2020
Thabani Gapara is a young Zimbabwe-born Jazz musician, currently domiciled in Auckland, who plays like he’s been around for years.
Concert Review: Soul Bossa Duo & Black Pearl Ponsonby Social Club, 8 August 2020
The Brazilian rhythms warms up a large Latin audience as the Soul Bossa Duo feature the songs of Black songwriters, mostly Brazilian, at the Ponsonby Social Club.
Concert Review: Aaron Tokona Tribute Buzz, Whammy Bar, 7 August 2020
The Buzz was out in full force in sonic overdrive with pyrotechnic guitars, rhythmic thunder and soulful heartfelt vocals as musical friends and collaborators of the late and supremely talented Aaron Tokona kick off a series of tribute shows in Auckland’s sold-out Whammy Bar this Friday night.
There’s A Tuesday/ The Butlers – The Tuning Fork July 31, 2020
Friday night at The Tuning Fork and it’s a sold out show with two bands from Christchurch, The Butlers and There’s a Tuesday. I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling like there is a new wave of exciting local talent running rampant through the country while the overseas artists are stuck under lockdown.
Concert Review: KITA, Whammy Bar, 1 August 2020
Whammy Bar presented super sets of Soul music from KITA and support act Ed Waaka, for suburban Millennials and sundry Pseuds, Sophisticates and Soul Survivors.
Concert Review: Dan Sperber, Wine Cellar 30 July 2020
Dan Sperber and his band, with special guest Caitlin Smith, deliver an outstanding show at the Wine Cellar this evening. Launching Think on Your Feet, an album of pain and heartbreak and possibly redemption. Quietly locked down for 2 years before finally finding its right moment.
Concert Review: Deep Dive Festival 2020, Whammy Bar/Wine Cellar, 25 July 2020
The Cavern, The Kaiserkellar, CBGBs. Legendary sweaty urban cesspits which were breeding grounds for developing musicians and their budding fan base. And so, it appears with Whammy and Wine Cellar, the underground of St Kevin’s Arcade. Seventeen acts lined up for this Deep Dive Festival. The only music festival on the planet since everyone being […]
Concert Review: Fathe & The Sweetos – Neck Of The Woods July 25, 2020
Fathe & The Sweetos – more cool local music that would most-likely be overlooked if it wasn’t for the dearth of international acts.
Concert Review: Wax Chattels – Whammy Bar July 24, 2020
The Art Terrorists Wax Chattels transform the Whammy Bar into the Large Hadron Collider for an hour and bombard the audience until we’ve all had our synapses rearranged and minds suitably blown. In a great way.
Concert Review: Morningside Philharmonic, Ponsonby Social Club, 23 July 2020
Heart and Soul food for the mind with social commentary there in the back of the room. Morningside Philharmonic are Jason Herbert on guitar, leading the band tonight. Guy Harrison on keyboards and also a member of Latinaotearoa. The engine room is Cam Sangster on drums and Cam McArthur on electric bass.
Concert Review: Nick Dow, Wine Cellar, Auckland 18 July 2020
An inspiring set of original songs from jazz pianist Nick Dow played to a packed Wine Cellar. With stellar support by two young artists, Antony Jeffares and Marianne Wren, it was a solid showcase of great gifted Kiwi vocalists.
Concert Review: Harper Finn, Tuning Fork, 17 July 2020
Harper Finn tells us in the middle of his uplifting Art Pop set tonight at the Tuning Fork. This may be the only live show in the world today. Sad reflection amongst a warm cheering audience.