Search For Yeti – Whammy Bar: March 27, 2025

Search For Yeti conquered at their debut Auckland show at Whammy Bar with support from the brass heavy rock stylings of Moongoat and the increasingly ruckus, jangle-punk of Cowboy Dan.

The show was the first night of Search For Yeti’s 8-date nationwide tour in support of their album DARK SO SOON, which was released a few months back to slew of positive reviews from the usual outlets.

Naturally, the Wellington three-piece drew heavily from DARK SO SOON. The sequencing of the songs effectively poised to carry attendees into the different corners of sound.

Alice and Fear of Drowning opened the set with an upbeat and optimistic tone. The former seeing multi-instrumentalist VINCENT WAIDE trading lightly overdriven chiming guitar lines with frontman LUKE MARLOW, while aa looping sample that warmly occupied the lower frequencies beneath. Vocal harmonies from all three further emboldening the catchy hooks.

My personal set highlight came mid-set in the form of The One. I was surprised to learn that this tune was penned by drummer SEAN BARKER. Delivered with a touch more bite live than on the album. The song’s slower tempo lending itself effectively to the heaviness of the song. The best songs often take some time grow and I found myself reaching to hear this tune on the drive home.

Long-runner’s Red and Out to Dry showcased Search For Yeti’s more progressive tendencies with cinematic arrangements and post rock flourishes. LUKE MARLOW’S straightforward, but genuine vocal delivery grounding the songs with gentle pop melody; at least until the songs had whipped up intensity enough to send him pogoing into centre stage for a noise guitar solo ala Sonic Youth or Built To Spill.

The set further solidified by easy banter between the three members with expressions of gratitude for the surprisingly filled out room comprised of commute-fatigued Aucklanders catching the band for the first time.

The set ended on an apocalyptic note with as an unsettling voice sample repeating words of warning underneath the opening notes of End Of Days.

Search For Yeti delivered a performance that was simultaneously heavy and contemplative. Great stuff.

Chris Warne

Click on any image to view a photo gallery:

Search For Yeti:

Moongoat:

Cowboy Dan:

Catch them on remaining tour dates, tickets are on sale now.  

Friday 28th March – Nivara Lounge, Hamilton w/ Cowboy Dan, Emerson Kole
Saturday 29th March – The Jam Factory, Tauranga w/ Cowboy Dan, Frances Ellen
Thursday 8th May – Meow, Wellington w/ Dropper, Persimmon
Friday 9th May – The Paisley Stage, Napier w/ Pining Radiata + more
Saturday 10th May – The Stomach, Palmerston North w/ Pining Radiata, Just George
Friday 18th July – The Boathouse, Nelson w/ The Violet Project
Saturday 19th July – Space Academy, Christchurch w/ Model Home, Hoihoi

 

Chris Warne
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