Snarky Puppy – Powerstation: May 25, 2025 (13th Floor Concert Review)
Snarky Puppy returned after a 6-year hiatus to bring their brand of fusion jazz to Auckland and the sold-out Powerstation crowd was very happy to have them back.
The collective was last here in 2019 and, has bandleader bassist Michael League noted, “lots has happened over the last 6 years”.
Politics aside, Snarky Puppy have released one album since (Empire Central) and they have one in the can (Somni) to be released later this year.
Revulva
We got the stripped down version of Wellington-based Revulva led by composer, lyricist, bassist and vocalist Phoebe Johnson.
Despite making every effort to catch their set…I was advised they would be on at 8:30…when I arrived at 8:20, they were just wrapping things up.
Of course a thousand other folks managed to be better clued in than me and were loving the performance.
I liked what I heard and would have liked to have heard more.
Snarky Puppy
The 10 members of the Snarky Puppy collective took over at 9pm and immediately launched in to three numbers from Empire Central.
The line-up/configuration is:
Michael League – bass/spokeman
Bob Lanzetti – guitar
Marcelo Woloski – percussion
Nikki Glaspie – drums
Justin Stanton – keys and trumpet
Bobby Sparks – keys
Jay Jennings – trumpet
Mike “Maz” Maher – trumpet
Bob Reynolds – sax
Chris Bullock -sax and flute
I hope that’s all correct!
But after hearing the first 15 minutes or so of the set, I’d have to give my MVP vote to the sound man as the mix was perfect, warm and detailed throughout The Powerstation.
The band focused the remainder of the set of their 2014 release, We Like It Here, which League called, “just a record that we made”, but then pointed out that it was received “differently” and was mostly likely most fans’ first exposure to Snarky Puppy.
Now, on to the music and the performance…
Make no mistake, these cats can play! Everyone got a chance to shine (ie, solo) and every notes sounded perfect.
Maybe too perfect.
I enjoyed some of the earlier, funkier moments during the Empire Central tunes, but, while I could certainly the musicianship and skill being displayed on stage, I couldn’t help but think something overarching was lacking.
Yes, they all were technically proficient, but it felt emotionally aimless.
And live music is the one place where “feelings” should prevail over “facts”.
I’m sure I was in the minority with these “feelings”, but no point writing a review if I’m not honest.
On the plus side, it was wonderful being in a room full of great musicians and music lovers in a place were it sounded so good. I’d just like to have heard and felt a little more adventurous passion in the playing
I’m looking forward to the new album…a shame Michael felt they had to wait until is was released to play anything live…not sure what difference it makes if someone posts a clip on line before its officially “out”, but there you go.
Marty Duda
Click on any image to view a photo gallery by Chris Zwaagdyk:
Snarky Puppy:
Revulva:
Here’s the setlist:
