Anne-Marie, Auckland New Zealand, 2017

Anne-Marie (Spark / Spotify Acoustic Showcase)

16th May 2017
REC, Auckland, New Zealand.

The smiles were from ear to ear last night for the lucky competition winners who had been invited along to one of Auckland’s hottest live music venues REC to witness none other than Anne-Marie perform an intimate acoustic showcase.

However not only were they to be treated to one outstanding artist, but two, with New Zealand’s own up and coming Theia performing as well. Theia’s single ‘Roam’ released in August last year has already amassed 7.3 million streams (and growing)! Formally a lifeguard at a Christchurch Pool, Theia (aka Em-Haley Walker) now has her sights set firmly on the big time. Stepping onto the stage tonight in platform silver sneakers and funky sweatshirt dress, her long platinum ponytail hanging over one shoulder, Theia looked every inch the pop star she aspires to be. After saying hello and thanking everyone for being there Theia begins her set with ‘Silver Second’, a track she originally wrote while still under the moniker of Plum. The song (produced by Alex Hope who has worked with other famous kiwi acts such as Broods) has fantastic rhythm to it, Theia’s breathy lower octaves giving it a sumptuous feel. The crowd breaks out in applause upon its completion, an open smile breaking out on Theia’s face as she once again thanks everyone.

But it’s her next song that literally has the front row break out in a collective squeal as they recognize the opening notes. ‘Roam’ (produced by Josh Fountain) was released after she had signed with Warner Music NZ and had formally adopted the name of Theia. The track was written at time when Theia was feeling a little “displaced and lonely” but rather than let the emotions overwhelm her she decided to deal with them – and ‘Roam’ was born. With an undeniably catchy hook and inspiring lyrics, it is no wonder that the song has been an absolute hit, Theia’s live performance of it this evening nothing short of spellbinding. Theia closes her short set with ‘Treat You’ which she informs the audience will have a video dropping next Friday. The song promptly has the audience grooving along to its mix of pop beats and R&B style vocals, Theia feeding off the audience’s energy and positively glowing upon the stage. With a tour of Australia (supporting The Kite String Tangle) and show in LA already under her belt, Theia is an artist on the up and up.

Anne-Marie is an English singer/songwriter who already has a string of hits to her name and all before she has even dropped her debut album! Born in Essex, Anne-Marie began her love affair with music at an early age, performing in a West End Production at the tender age of six. At twelve she appeared alongside [now] popular artist Jessie J in another WE Production by the name of Whistle Down The Wind. A little known fact about Anne-Marie is that she has also been practicing ‘Shotokan’ (a style of Karate) since the age of nine and has won gold in several world championships. Named as one of Spotify’s Top 5 Break Out artists of 2016, Anne-Marie has worked with everyone from Ed Sheeran to Dizzee Rascal. After catching the eye of Rudimental she not only featured on four of the tracks off their We The Generation album, but toured with them for over two years. Tonight she has even brought one of them with her “I stole him” she giggles, as multi-instrumentalist Beanie (better known as the drummer for Rudimental) accompanies her on acoustic guitar.

At only 26 years old, it is hard to believe that such a massive voice can live inside the tiny bubbling blonde standing before us. “I was standing out the back and it was nice to hear all that” Anne-Marie beams at the crowd referring to the cheers from the audience at the announcement of her name. With her cheeky grin and English accent, she instantly has every single person in the room eating out of her hand. “Right grab yourself a drink then – they’re free right? Oh they’re not? Fuck” the audience bursting into laughter at her comment. She turns and looks at Beanie flashing a smile, the camaraderie between them obvious. She begins with her single ‘Do It Right’, her fans at the front of the stage breaking out into song right along with her. Spurred on by this, Anne-Marie gets them to sing the chorus, the fans gaining in both volume and confidence as the song goes along; the artists on stage obviously enjoying the participation. Anne-Marie thanks them for their efforts as well as Spark and Spotify for putting the night on; making a quick joke about no free beer, she lets out an odd but wonderfully endearing laugh. “Don’t worry, you’ll get used to that” she winks.

Her second song of the night is the rather emotional ‘Alarm’ the video for which you can watch here. Anne-Marie has the ability to portray emotions wonderfully well with her face; her lyrics weaving stories that are relatable. She easily connects with her audience in such a way that one girl even begins to shed a few tears during her song ‘Perfect’ Anne-Marie telling her not to cry and jumping down from the stage to give her huge hug. It is hard not to compare Anne-Marie with Adele as they both not only have amazing vocal talents, but Anne-Marie has that same English sense of humour and realism that makes you feel as if you have known her all your life. She goes on to tell the story of how she met her guest artist – that she is about to bring up on stage – at the airport last time she was here. Halecia followed Anne-Marie on Twitter and when she last visited the country with Rudimental, Halecia was there at the airport to greet her with a basket of sweets and cakes. Competently playing guitar alongside Beanie, Halecia certainly helped take Anne-Maries fourth song of the night and Top 10 UK single ‘Ciao Adios’ to the next level.

Sadly the end of this spectacular little showcase is upon us and Anne-Marie wants to ensure that everyone gets to participate in a bit of a sing along and so she performs the Clean Bandit song (in which she features along with Sean Paul) ‘Rockabye’ a number one hit in no less than eight countries! In a world where auto tune is so often used by many an artist, how refreshing to be treated to not only one but two exceptional singers whose vocal talents are genuinely real.

For more information on Theia you can visit her website, or follow her on Youtube, Facebook and Instagram. For more information on Anne-Marie you can visit her website, or follow her on Youtube, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.