October 21, 2024

Lime Cordiale and Bella Rafflyn: Auckland Town Hall: October 20, 2024

The heart of Auckland CBD was buzzing with Diwali festival-goers stretching along Queen Street, but that didn’t stop the young crowd from lining up to catch Lime Cordiale on their final stop of the Australasian tour.

Bella Rafflyn

Seeing Bella Rafflyn perform is always a treat, thanks to her quirky energy and catchy indie rock vibes. She made for the perfect opener, setting the tone for an exciting night ahead. This was her second time opening for an Australian headliner this month, having opened for Dice at the Tuning Fork in September.

It’s a bit of a shame that her only song available on Spotify is OverDrive, her latest single, because her voice and lyrics are definitely something you’d want to belt out in the car. Still, she brought the crowd to life with her original grunge-pop tracks, featuring raw lyrics and killer guitar riffs. Bella also mixed in some classic covers, like Tove Lo’s Habits and a pop-rock version of Sway by Kiwi artist Bic Runga, which turned the audience into an extra set of vocalists.

Her band included guitarists Leo Spikerman and Alex Elvis, along with Doug Bagg on drums. Bella made sure the crowd knew how much she values her band, introducing them and sharing some fun moments, like leaning back-to-back with Alex and Leo during her set.

Lime Cordiale

If I had to sum up Lime Cordiale in one word, it would be “theatrical,” and the fans were all in for it. As the stage screen lit up during intermission with “Lime Cordiale,” the crowd erupted with excitement. But the real magic happened when brothers Oli and Louis Leimbach stepped onto the dimly lit stage to perform Pedestal. The fans sang along word for word as the lights flared up.

Lime Cordiale Oli took the lead on stage, chatting about how Aussie bands say crossing the ditch means “wilder crowds,” and they were thrilled to be in Auckland. Meanwhile, Louis was all over the stage, dancing from side to side, often getting up close to the barricade, which sent the front-row fans into a frenzy.

The stage was decked out with eye-catching visuals, from a Lime Cordiale take on the Stranger Things title card to images that conjured up the wild west. The lighting set different moods throughout the show, highlighting band members during their solos—definitely a feast for the eyes.

One of the funniest moments of the night was when the Leimbach brothers had a playful wrestling match in the middle of their set, complete with satin hoods and a referee. While it wasn’t WWE-level choreography, it was a blast to see the brothers just having a good time, goofing off like siblings do.

Their setlist included tracks from their new album Enough of the Sweet Talk, along with older favorites like Robbery and Temper Temper. The crowd was absolutely hyped when they heard the familiar opening notes of these Lime Cordiale classics—it felt like they’d just hit the jackpot hearing their favorite songs live.

Overall, the night was a laid-back celebration of great music. From Bella’s infectious indie rock energy to Lime Cordiale’s charismatic performance, it was a night filled with good vibes. Fans were singing along and enjoying every moment, creating a shared experience that lingered long after the final song. By the end of the evening, it was clear both artists left a lasting impression on everyone in Auckland, and the anticipation for their next shows was palpable.

by Azrie

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