John Otway – Wine Cellar February 19, 2023

John Otway brought the spirit of 1977 English punk to The Wine Cellar with two sets full of laughs, love and an unrelenting sense of determination in the face of failure.

The self-proclaimed “rock & roll’s greatest failure’ (see the movie) waited out the storm and finally performed at Auckland’s Wine Cellar to a crowd of very enthusiastic fans…some of whom knew all the words to all his hits (both of them).

And he got things going with hit #1…1977’s (Cor Baby That’s) Really Free, followed by its ‘B’ side, Beware Of The Flowers (‘Cos I’m Sure They’re Going To Get You Yeah). Back in ’77 they were recorded with Wild Willy Barrett, but Otway was flying solo tonight, although his long-suffering roadie “Deadly” was very visible, adjusting mics, swapping out guitars and serving as the butt of Otway’s jokes.

Jokes are very much a part of John Otway’s schtick, and so, like reviewing a comedian’s act, I don’t want to give away too much, other than to say this is a very engaging, entertaining show.

And it’s not all fun and games. There is a sense of sadness and poignancy in songs such as Middle Of Winter, Real Tears From Both Eyes and Josephine.

Plus there are plenty of cool covers…The Sweet’s Blockbuster, A Dylanesque version of I Will Survive and a heckler-inspiring House Of The Rising Sun.

If the lyrics don’t get your attention, the visual gags surly will including Otway’s own version of a 12-string guitar and his wide-eyed Theremin playing  (very impressive).

With cyclones, earthquakes and floods threatening Kiwis all over, John Otway’s show was a surprisingly sensible scene of sanity in a world seemingly out of control.

Marty Duda

Click on any image to view a photo gallery:

Set 1:

1. (Cor Baby That’s) Really Free
2. Beware Of The Flowers (‘Cos I’m Sure They’re Going To Get You Yeah)
3. Blockbuster
4. UR Breaking Up
5. Middle Of The Winter
6. I’m Cured (And I Can’t Catch Love)
7. Poetry & Jazz
8. Lasers Of Love
9. Satellite (?)
10. Body Talk

Set 2:

1. I Will Survive
2. Bunsen Burner
3. House Of The Rising Sun
4. Real Tears From Both Eyes
5. Five Kisses
6. Josephine
7. Rumplestiltskin
8. Remember The Alamo
9. Cheryl’s Going Home
10. Crazy Horses
11. Headbutts