Tuawahine at Civic Theatre: Concert Review 2 July 2021

Matariki and tonight’s the night for the Heroines, Tuawahine. The all-women revue looks beautiful. And Witch Spirit powerful.  Ria Hall, dressed in spectral white, introduces the show. The curator for the singers and the music they present tonight.

All five featured artists assemble for the introductory waiata. Annie Crummer and Language. An opening chant coloured with Soweto Afro-rhythm. My heart is filled. Full off te reo Soul and a perfect welcome for the capacity audience.

Crummer talks of oestrogen-fuelled energy. So, this is what it’s like to be a dude and hang out on stage with all your bro’s.

The band is stellar and resist any urge to overplay. Real power is unobtrusive in appearance, but always on point. Julia Deans guitars, Marika Hodgson bass, Steph Brown piano and keyboards and Tatupu Fata drums. Along with Ria Hall on backing vocals is Bella Kalolo.

After the ensemble beginning, Anika Moa starts with her version of Emma Paki’s Greenstone. Invested in a tribal Folk spirit where Pop meets Middle Eastern trance dance similar to Nusrat Khan’s Qawwali with Michael Brooks. World music inclusive of te reo.

 My Old Man is her song, a tribute to her father. The ringing and galloping tones of Americana Country. She tells us the story beforehand with humour, but the song conveys deep passion like good Country always does.

Paige Tapara is a fast-rising Pop artist hailing from Clarks Beach, a little south of Auckland. First time seeing her, she is diminutive in stature although she’s taller than Anika.

Even though she tells us she’s nervous and terrified tonight, she already has a confident stage charisma which brings to mind the likes of Benee. She chooses Albertine by Brooke Fraser. Starts spare and Folk and quickly races off into Dream Pop territory. A smooth Taylor Swift voice with understated power. A controlled singer and not into over-emoting.

Paige and Anika cover Bic Runga’s Drive. They do it as a duet, both playing acoustic guitars. This really is Folk opening out into celestial Pop. I know it’s late/ Please don’t drop me home. Paige’s idea of a banger is firmly in a swinging song. Anika’s idea remains somewhere south of the border.

Georgia Lines is from Tauranga. She may be an under-the-radar Pop artist but she has stunning pipes and she does her best to steal the damn show and possibly pulls it off. Wearing an arresting sheer black outfit. Self-deprecating nervous stage banter, totally natural and winning. But then, Hine E Hine. A familiar old waiata and a big powerful voice. Perfect control on the big deep tones and stunning on high. This is the Good Night Kiwi theme which ended the days TV broadcast. Only Boomers would remember this.

Maybe there’s some classical training in there. Her own song Made for Love is a great classic Disco-swinging, umm, banger!

The Grande Dames aren’t about to be outdone.

Tami Neilson is a force of nature wherever she plays. Her own shows or part of a revue.

Walk (Back to my Arms) is Blues in classic form as would have come out of the legendary Chess studios in the early sixties. An early song of hers. My heart is beat-beat-beating in my chest. Sultry and all-powerful. Tasty Blues guitar licks from Deans but the music is spare and the powerhouse voice carries it. I’m reminded of Etta James.

With Anika and Annie, they sing Roimata. This is the Country style of the great Patsy Cline and the two big voices raise it to the famous Civic ceiling stars. Anika adds a te reo refrain.

Annie Crummer keeps things celestial with Hina Ki Ti. The opening line gives the picture. I saw the ocean fall I love. A perfect Soul Jazz workout interwoven with South Pacific tones. She stretches out with this one and sounds like a female Stevie Wonder.

Tami then goes quiet and serious. She is about to introduce a favourite New Zealand artist and a Country tune.

98 til Now from Ladi6! Rap coming straight at you. Undereducated/ Underestimated/ Bullshit! The Revue Band, Myrmidons of Matariki, cut loose. Deans on a six-string banjo. Jazzy bending bass notes. The drummer goes hard Funk and snaps the beat like a JB. Drum and bass take it out.

See What Love Can Do. Inspired and soulful to end the show. World would be so happy if we all just got along.

That is exactly what the Tuawahine put out tonight. Good night Kiwi!

Rev Orange Peel       

Click any image to view a glorious gallery of the show. All photos by Chris Zwaagdyk.