Tami Neilson – Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre: October 4, 2025 (13th Floor Concert Review)

Friends and family were both in the audience and on-stage as Tami Neilson brought down the house while celebrating her latest (and, so far, greatest) album, Neon Cowgirl.

The show started at the family-friendly time of 7:30 and, with no opening act, even those who struggle to stay up past 9pm could catch Tami and her band.

The band consists of: Brett Adams (guitar & vocals), Neil Watson (guitar, pedal steel & banjo), Tom Broome (drums), Chip Matthews (bass) and Stephanie Brown (keyboards).

Decked out in matching fringed outfits (and cowboy hats), the five musicians  got things rolling with a rollicking, twang-filled instrumental prelude, preparing us for Tami’s entrance, which was…magnificent.

Of course part of the thrill of seeing Tami live is admiring her wardrobe. Tonight, was no exception…two custom-made outfits that would make anyone look twice. And the dressmaker…Judy Moughton…was in the house, he presence adding to the “friends and family” vibe.

Tami’s first set focused on Neon Cowgirl. She played the entire album, opening with Foolish Heart, a show-stopper that left the audience stunned…and we were only five minutes into the show.

Tami’s voice was in top shape and the band was as well. Neil Watson showed off his versatility on a range of instruments, Brett Adams proved he could sing just as well as he could play guitar, duetting on Neon Cowgirl (filling in for an out-of-town Neil Finn) and You’re Gonna Fall.

And there were guest artists…

Julia Deans, Victoria Kelly and Nina McSweeney joined in on Borrow My Boots and, during the second set, Tami’s pre-teen sons, Charlie and Sam, filled in for Willie Nelson on Beyond The Stars. If that didn’t warm your heart, nothing would.

That was just one of many moments that brought tears to the eyes of Tami and fans alike.

Others included the beautiful reading of Loneliness Of Love, played by just Tami and Steph Brown. Another being the very good news about Tami’s brother Jay and his recovery from brain surgery.

The show itself was peppered with between-song stories from Tami that. In some hands (I’m remembering a Stevie Nicks concert) could come across as self-obsessed. But with Tami, the talk is always heartfelt and empathetic.

The second set showed of Tami’s rockabilly side with tunes like Holy Moses and Woo Hoo making me wish I was in a Texas barroom rather than the Aotea Centre.

But the sound and lights were excellent, the band and outfits in top form and Tami herself… every bit the star she deserves to be.

Marty Duda

Click on any image to view a photo gallery by Chris Zwaagdyk:

Tami Neilson Setlist:

 Set 1:

  1. Intro Instrumental
  2. Foolish Heart
  3. Salvation Mountain
  4. Neon Cowgirl
  5. Borrow My Boots
  6. Keep On
  7. Heartbreak City USA
  8. You’re Gonna Fall
  9. One Less Heart
  10. Loneliness Of Love
  11. U-Haul Blues
  12. Love Someone

Set 2:

  1. Come Over
  2. Walk (Back To Your Arms)
  3. Ten Tonne Truck
  4. Beyond The Stars
  5. Mama’s Talkin’
  6. Careless Woman
  7. Holy Moses
  8. Woo Hoo
  9. You Were Mine
  10. Romata/Cry Myself To Sleep
Marty Duda
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