Mice on Stilts & Estère – Shooting Up K Road on a Saturday Night, 25 March 2023
Mice on Stilts & Estère & Kédu Carlö & Speech Act Theory & Chris Dent!!! K Road was exactly where I wanted to be last night – at Whammy and the Wine Cellar.
All our reviewers were off taking in the “big” shows – and lord knows Auckland has been over-blessed lately with too many big shows to count, and I’ve shot a fair few of them. But there’s something special about shows in the small clubs – the intimacy, the fans, the love of the music. Along with the terrible lighting, the Whammy pole and running up and down those ridiculous steps. Which I did many times, running back and forth between the two clubs – the kind of stupid fun photographers love, and love to complain about.
So here are my photos and some thoughts on the shows – they’re not reviews. I did love them all, but I have a habit of falling in love with every artist I shoot.
![Mice on Stilts](https://13thfloor.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/VM-Mice-on-Stilts-Wine-Cellar-9597-700x467.jpg)
Mice on Stilts
This sold out show celebrates the release of the band’s critically acclaimed new album, I’m Proud of You. Folk-y prog-rock that’s getting noticed everywhere, especially in the jam-packed Wine Cellar. Seven musicians squeezed onto the tiny, dimly lit stage, while a live video played on the wall behind them. Beautiful music played for an adoring audience. Unfortunately I couldn’t stay for their whole set because Estère was due to start about 5 songs in.
![Estere](https://13thfloor.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/VM-Estere-Whammy-9814-700x467.jpg)
Estère
This woman should be playing in Arenas! Her sound continues to evolve and her latest EP Makara Peak is a richly textured soundscape, that she translates into a visual feast! My favourite shoot of the night. As if she wasn’t mesmerising enough – she brought along a pair of extraordinary dancers performing some otherworldly choreography. I just kept shooting – over 350 photos! Well, a lot of them were a bit blurry cos I couldn’t keep from dancing! These are my favourites.
![Kédu Carlö](https://13thfloor.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/VM-Kedu-Karlo-Whammy-9381-700x467.jpg)
Kédu Carlö
Jess Penson and Carly Gill are Kédu Carlö, an electronic duo who are festival favourites. Great seeing them in a small club. Jess Penson’s dynamic stage presence kept the Whammy crowd dancing and hooting and hollering!
![Speech Act Therapy](https://13thfloor.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/VM-Speech-Act-Therapy-Wine-Cellar-9330-700x467.jpg)
Speech Act Theory
Back in the Wine Cellar, we were treated to Speech Act Theory – where electronica meets guitar and drums! A lovely, dreamy set, the kind you can just sink into and lose yourself in the moment. Sadly, a photographer’s nightmare when it comes to lighting… apologies if the set looks a bit washed-out.
![Chris Dent](https://13thfloor.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/VM-Chris-Dent-Wine-Cellar-9263-700x467.jpg)
Chris Dent
Best known for his work with Albi and the Wolves, Chris Dent treated us to a solo set, kicking off my night. Singer, songwriter and master storyteller, he kept us thoroughly entertained, even got us into a singalong! A lovely man, a lovely set. In the dark, or nearly in the dark – fortunately I have my ways of seeing in the dark, so you can, too.
- Mice on Stilts & Estère – Shooting Up K Road on a Saturday Night, 25 March 2023 - March 26, 2023
- Honouring Rachel Webb – 13th Floor Ace Photographer - August 13, 2022
- Movie Review: Queen Bees Directed by Michael Lembeck - August 5, 2021