Ladi6 – Hollywood Avondale: July 5, 2025 (13th Floor Concert Review)
Last night the party was in Avondale…at the classic Hollywood cinema to be specific…where Ladi6 celebrated her “comeback” album, Le Vā in front of an audience that had, indeed, come to party.
And like most good parties, this one started late. While shows are often kicking of at 7:30 or earlier, opening act Kahu took to the stage just after 9pm, leaving plenty of time to mix and mingle, have a drink or two and come down from the previous working week.
Kahu is a big man with a big message. The rapper is all about mental health awareness…his single, I Think I’m Anxious, is part of a larger project called Flowoxetine. His opening set was short, sharp and engaging…sending out good vibes and creating a safe space for those who are going through their own personal issues, mental health or otherwise.
We retreated to the outdoor area between sets, but quickly joined the crowd as we herded ourselves back into the main room where Ladi6 was holding court.
Opening song Fuarosa was powered by two men in the shadows…one of them Parks (aka Brent Parks) who lorded over knobs and faders, the other, producer/keyboardist Brandon Haru…while Ladi6’s voice reached out and touched her fans…
And they were truly moved.
Booties were soon shaking among the delightfully diverse crowd. The mood was indeed celebratory as Ladi6 shuffled from new tunes to old favourites, cherry picking the best from her 2017 Automatic album and back to 2011’s Walk Right Up.
Ladi6 (aka Karoline Fuarosa Park-Tamati) is herself a survivor, having contracted a rare form of cancer in 2017 that left her unable to speak, let alone sing.
That along with some serious family crisis threatened to silence this uniquely talented individual.
But here she is, flanked by two orange-topped dancers, and supported by two trusted collaborators.
The party took us close to the midnight hour, sending us out into the crisp Auckland air, thankful and grateful for what we had just, not only witnessed, but been a part of.
Marty Duda
Click on any image to view a photo gallery by Den
Ladi6:
Kahu:
Ladi6 Setlist:
(note: also performed was Fractions and Diamonds)
