Live stream
Now this was my first live Dunedin gig (lakehouse doesn’t count), so going in I was fizzing. And as I should’ve been, because I was about to have any and all expectations exceeded. The opening acts themselves were good enough to show up solely for them. The first band was fronted by Liam of Night Lunch. Despite being loosely established and without a name, they displayed amazing natural chemistry and raw power in the forms of shoegaze/post rock sound. Maxine Funke, and her accompanying guitarist and percussionist, performed these soothing, warm vocals that felt slow and methodical, but never boring or dragging. I don’t think I'll ever forget the tonal whiplash that I felt from the change in genre and atmosphere of the improv DJ duo Murdabike (kickass name). The ever-evolving house/ big beat “choon” that kept on building on top of itself flowed so seamlessly that I only realised the song had completely shifted from minutes ago once I stopped grooving to think.
I must shamefully admit I had never heard of local legend Andrew Wilson or Ōtepoti’s own Die! Die! Die!, but perhaps I should’ve before I shook his hand, said “Hi”, and complimented his shirt, all without recognising him (fuck). Regardless, I DEFINITELY know who he is now, and consider me a follower. Sign me up for the fan club, give me a shirt, and I’ll wear it until it smells like the front row crowd of Murdabike. While AW’s ‘THE NERVE’ is definitely a more Lo-Fi, noise-pop sort of direction on streaming services (go listen), it’s a whole different beast live. Wilson brings so much energy to the performance, jumping off stage and interacting with the crowd (cheers uncle). And the Lo-Fi sound turns into a wall of beautiful punchy noise that you could just never recreate on your headphones. To experience this band for the first time, and live even, does feel like a privilege. You just can’t wait for next time.
Favourite Track: THIEF OF JOY
Credit: Ethan Montañer
Credit: Ethan Montañer
