French For Rabbits – Grey Lynn RSC: June 28, 2025
French for Rabbits, a dream-pop indie-folk duo from Wellington that have garnered global touring success played a melodic and ethereal set to open the night, for the tour supporting the release of their latest single, Gold and Blue.
Although carrying hints of influence of Glaswegian indie-popstar perennials Belle and Sebastian, Kiwi songsmith Tiny Ruins and many other artists in that realm, French for Rabbits have nevertheless carved out a niche uniquely their own since their 2011 genesis. The near capacity Grey Lynn Ballroom, not known for its great acoustics, nevertheless proved to be a good intimate venue to hear this group at close quarters. Led by the aptly named Brooke Singer on hushed, at times Isobel Campbell-esque vocals, their sound is maybe best appreciated from a comfy couch or beanbag but even their standing room only shows can transport you somewhere ethereal and surreal, sounds mellifluous yet rarely saccharine dressing songs holding nuance beneath their seemingly simple structures.
They were followed by Michael Llewellyn, a songwriter releasing his sophomore album I’m Gorgeous. His band providing a tight bedding of shuffling drums and locked-in bass lines with stabs of jagged guitars just when needed and not overplayed, Llewellyn prowled the stage and even deep into the stubbornly seated audience, usually with just a microphone and sometimes donning guitar as well.
Leonard Cohen came to mind immediately in terms of the style of singing as well as the rich internal monologue narratives of characters coming through, and thankfully the lyrics were audible. He has been quoted as saying the album is him delving into the many masks we find in our reflections, and this introspection projected out is maybe the best way to characters the songs content and lyric style but I recommend experiencing the music live as the spontaneity and raw emotion Llewellyn pours into the music was engaging and at times electrifying – using the bands large dynamic range to convey the feeling behind and the meaning within a strong set of songs.
The highlight was Time it Ain’t Easy, from his debut 2021 album Oh My Darling, the rolling country rock beat and stacked harmonies added by Brooke Singer who joined the band and added to a few exquisite vocal duets towards the end of his set.
If you have a chance to see this show in Wellington, Hawkes Bay or Gisborne next week I highly recommend you do to see a high level of both songcraft and performance of passion, world-class musicianship in intimate venues until the rest of the country catches on to something happening in our own backyard, down at the end of the garden where you used to sit as a child and blow bubbles.
Stephen Allely
