Arahi: Te Tokotoru
13th October 2023
Te Awanga Hall, Te Matau-a-Māui, New Zealand.
Review by Rob Harbers, photography by Andrew Caldwell.
Power trios. Clapton did it, with Cream. Hendrix did it, with the Experience and the Band of Gypsys. Motorhead took it and made it huge (except when there were 4 of them). The simple dynamic of bass, guitar and drums is one that’s truly timeless, going at least as far back as Buddy Holly, with the Crickets. And now to be added to that list is Arahi’s latest project, Te Tokotoru, which last night brought it all back to his turangawaewae beside the sea in Te Awanga.
Support act Wunky, made up of a diversity of local players (the HB music scene being almost as incestuous as that in Poneke) set the scene with a set of original material, with an easy, funky groove suited to a coastal Friday night, and impressed many with their talent. Largely instrumental, this was a set in which each member was given the chance to shine, and shine they did! I’ll watch with interest for more appearances.
Coming on with a brooding dynamic, overlaid with te reo to form a power powhiri, Te Tokotoru made it clear that they were here to rock! I, and probably many others around these parts, first encountered Arahi in the setting of covers band Suzy Blue. This band always amaze with their skilful playing, and obvious love, of classic material from the 60s and 70s, such that the first time I saw them I asked how it was that a band so young could even know all this stuff, let alone play it so lovingly! And through his solo career thus far, there’s been, in a way, a feeling of something more to come, with only flashes of this influence coming through, as he’s worked to develop his own unique voice. This trio is the vehicle that brings it all together, and will propel the rise to greater things yet!
Older song, the appropriately titled “Everything Is About To Change” was the perfect demonstration of this current approach, it’s previously perhaps slightly tentative, almost questioning tone turned in to one of complete confidence, adding an unspoken “fuck yeah!” to its declaration.
Unfortunately though, the quality of sound left something to be desired – a wee bit more clarity would’ve made for being able to better identify the individual elements. But it’s perfectly understandable to want to go big when you’re bringing it all back home!
The song that’s becoming a staple part of the repertoire, “E Ipo”, took the intensity down for a short while, before cranking it all back up again for some fun, including a masterful drum solo from Iraia. This all built the heat in the room to a point where there was only one possible release – a rendition of Jimi’s “Fire” taking it all back around to one of the archetypal power trios, followed by an impromptu “Smokestack Lightning” (a fire needs a smokestack, after all!) to close out proceedings.
As a staging post along the musical journey, this period forms a very interesting instalment in Arahi’s career – one that, given his prodigious talent, won’t be an end point, but a further step along the way, an extra arrow in the quiver. This is definitely one to be experienced, and to be watched, and with a sound system better suited to them, should go far!
Te Tokotoru:
Wunky:
Were you there at Te Awanga Hall for this brilliant rock show? Or have you seen Te Tokotoru perform live somewhere else before? Tell us about it in the comments below!
Setlist:
- Here Ake Nei
- Everything’s About To Change
- Worst Is Yet To Come
- E Ipo
- Me He Wairua Hiamo Māu
- Te Oranga
- Te Hekenga
- Fire [Jimi Hendrix cover]
- Smokestack Lightning
Note: Ambient Light was provided passes to review and photograph this concert. As always, this has not influenced the review in any way and the opinions expressed are those of Ambient Light’s only.
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