11/12/2025

Throwing Muses – Double Whammy: December 10, 2025 (13th Floor Concert Review)

With the year drawing to a close, Throwing Muses return to Auckland for the first time since 1993.

Head Muse Kristin Hersh has been a regular visitor to the city, having performed two solo shows just this past March. But one could tell a Throwing Muses show was something special for the assembled crowd despite the face that neither David Narcizo (drums) or Bernard Georges (bass) were not on board for this show…instead we got former Muses bass man Fred Abong on drums and Kristin’s song Dylan on bass.

Most notable was cellist Pete Harvey, whose sound was so integral to the latest album, Moonlight Concessions.

Beth Torrence

Opening the show was Beth Torrence and her band, who were very impressive. Its my first time catching the Helensville native and I’m keen to see her again, on her own terms.

The audience was impressed as well, giving the opening act the respect they deserved.

Throwing Muses

But Throwing Muses was why we were here and they turned in a career-spanning set, including all but one track from the new album, a choice nuggets from the past such as Bea, from 1989’s Hunkapapa and Soap And Water from 1987 EP, The Fat Skier.

Unlike her solo shows, Hersh speaks little at this gig, choosing to let the music do the talking.

Which would have been great, had the sound mix been better.

Unfortunately Kristin’s vocals were buried during most of the set, which made for an ultimately disappointing night.

Don’t get me wrong, the band played great, the setlist…all 25 songs…was near-perfect, and the venue itself was comfortable.

I (and others I spoke to) simply couldn’t hear the vocals.

I was standing closed to the sound board during most of the set and expected the engineer to twirl a few knobs and fix what seemed like an obvious…and simple…problem, but it never happened.

Instead we filled in the blanks as best we could and enjoyed the vibe, rather than the songs.

An opportunity lost.

Marty Duda

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

Throwing Muses: