Pearly* & Awning – Goblin: November 15, 2025 (13th Floor Concert Review)
With their debut album Not So Sweet, causing a splash amongst those that know, Pearly* have product to pedal, and even though they are soon to be seen at The Other’s Way Festival at the end of the month.
Shrewdly, they fitted in another TM (as part of a mini tour) at a fashionable venue, with musical (possibly spiritual) intimates Awning.
Cliff Richard, Lenny Kravitz, the sold-out double bill of Blood Incantation & Secret Chiefs 3, it’s a busy night, but we think we’ve chosen wisely. The show is at Goblin in Ponsonby, not to be confused with Nice Goblins in Mt Eden, who came first, and are an artists collective, shop and venue. There’s more confusion; it seems it’s Goblin’s first rā whānau bash as well, so there are rua, maybe toru events on at once. The tickets say 9pm (yes we bought, support local music people!) so we risk it, come on time, not too busy, even find a bar leaner.
There’s a DJ noodling, creating or playing an Aphex Twin sounding neo-dance soundtrack. It’s not banging the dancefloor (which isn’t in existence, until people remove the giant trestle table in the middle of it) but it’s setting the scene, comfortably numb. As does the plethora of handbags, adorning the dressed – so 1990’s! Woefully though, the tama are dourly dressed, excepting the fellow wearing the 70’s New Romantic’s era style jacket, but I don’t remember moustaches being a thing back then.
Goblin has ambiance, the decor semiotically speaks nostalgia, the upstairs whare where too many congregate, wafts of jazz cabbage, it masks the jam that happens as Awning gather in a corner, there is no stage, but there is a fucking annoying split wall that rudely segregates the crowd. It gets very crowded, but the tamariki are alright, polite, and aware. Awning have warned in advance, tonight they will share only new songs, it’s exciting, a rima piece, (wha on the floor, just the drummer cursory raised) toru guitars hmmm. Awning’s ST debut album was a blast, though now pulled off Spotify (the band have grit) sadly no physical formats, just bandcamp, needs to be resolved.
Each new song is introduced, few surprises, the gold Awning have created in the past keeps coming, except on the third song, possibly called Splashy, it has cogency, espouses single, radio play, robustness, it’s not traditional Awning fare, the crowd digs it too. There’s another, a song, towards the end Eli Superfly sings a song, it’s well sped, angular post-punk, actually throughout, it’s noticeable singer/guitarist Christian Dimmick is sharing the vocal duties a little more, it’s great! It’s a shortish set of 8 or 9 songs, an insight into what might be coming. They finish on Goldstar, by choice or by weight of expectations?, I aroha the song, but maybe not tonight, was it needed?, I think not. Awning have already sparkled and shined (and tuned up)
Pissed off by the (likely) retaining wall, we move and roost above a couch opposite the band, the line of sight is preferable, and likely the sound will be better (Our Awning’s korero alludes to the bass being a little quiet, or was that just because there were three guitars?) The masses hear their calling as Pearly* kick off, was it Superglue?, I recognise the tune, the four (on the floor) seek help from notorious soundman Rohan Hunt to right wrongs, and the soundmix dovetails as the next song is introduced.
Pearly* sound edgier tonight, a lot of noise, guitarist (and vocalist) Joel is taking liberties with his playing, it works, it appends, and as drummer Josh wrangles a drumkit on the move, Pearly* deliver the riffs and rhythms of many of the songs of their debut album (Not So Sweet, Limousine, I Wanna Be You). There is a new one, a teaser, a treat, but ears and feet are up for the songs heard on radio, on vinyl, online (and now on CD) Phaedra’s vocal harmonics are edged and precipitous at times, like her lyrics, there is realism in her delivery, she so embodies southern gothic (the post Flying Nun sound)
The crowd are seemingly spellbound, as were they during Awning, the abundance ratio of wahine to tane juxtaposes many other shows, and the sway and revelry of all, is a series of ephemeral experiences. Tonight Pearly* deliver and deserve all the respect and nga kupu said about them, they are an exciting musical experience for those that desire creative authenticity.
Simon Coffey
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Pearly*:
Awning:
