BAYNK
2nd September 2017
REC, Auckland, New Zealand.
Review and photography by Sarah Kidd.
He is one of the hottest acts in New Zealand right now. His rise to fame is almost the stuff of urban legends, and is one that most artists can only dream of. Born Jock Nowell-Usticke he was like most teenage boys in college and was in a band; truth be told he was in a few bands, but nothing really worked out.
So Jock delved into the electronic music production side of things and started to create songs on his laptop in his own bedroom. After writing twenty names down on a piece of paper and picking BAYNK because it looked good (well, there is a bit more to that story – find out here) Jock had taken the first few steps down the path of success. He throws a song up on Soundcloud while tripping around Europe, and the next thing you know while standing in a supermarket in Budapest he gets the call to appear at St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival. Urban legend stuff indeed.
Tonight’s show is a complete sell out, the walls of REC already heaving well before BAYNK is due to appear. When the deceptively tall BAYNK does take the stage, dressed in a simple white tank tee and black cap the crowd roars in appreciation, and a wave runs through from the back of the room, pushing everyone that little bit closer to the stage. What would follow was an hour long set of gorgeously layered and tantalisingly textured music complete with custom made projected images. Custom made by BAYNK himself may I add, who spent almost six hours putting it all together, right down to the final details of inlaying the inside of his keyboard legs with LED lights. But this is all part of the magic of BAYNK, the love and care that he puts into every facet of his music. From the moment that he steps out in front of the audience, he is invested, intent on ensuring that every single person in attendance has just as much fun as he is having as he bounces around the stage.
Tracks like ‘Poolside’ and ‘Someone’ see the crowd completely immerse themselves in his electronic soundscapes, hands held high in the air as the music courses through them; BAYNK moving deftly between the keyboard and mixer in front of him, to singing, mic in hand. BAYNK even drops a couple of old school classics into his set, ‘One More Time’ by Daft Punk sees the crowd raise their glasses in the air as they echo back the three word chorus to BAYNK who is madly pogoing on stage, raising his arms up encouraging the fans to give it everything. Even his remix of R. Kelly’s ‘Ignition’ – which you would think would take the pace down a little – just hypes the crowd more, BAYNK grinning as he watches them. Think it couldn’t get any better? You would be wrong as the multi-talented BAYNK picked up a saxophone and played it like there was no tomorrow.
But all good things must come to an end, BAYNK thanking the audience for coming out and seeing him tonight – but before he goes he has one last surprise; asking everyone to turn on their phone lights and shine them on the stage before he brings his special guest up. BAYNK’s latest single ‘What You Need’ features the sweet vocals of fellow New Zealand native NȈKA so what better way to end the night than to have the two of them perform the track live? The combination of both NȈKA and BAYNK bringing the house down in a triumphant finish to a flawless set.
Were you there at REC for this great electronica gig? Or have you seen Baynk perform live somewhere else before? Tell us about it in the comments below!
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