Fly My Pretties, Auckland NZ, 2020

Fly My Pretties

14th November 2020
The Town Hall, Auckland, New Zealand

Review by Kate Taylor, with photography by Chontalle Musson.

Urrrgh 2020, aye? What a stop-start, confusing period of time for us all to be navigating. Those that are adaptable and can roll with the punches are probably doing fine, to an extent; and those that need to have plans and notice for things in place, are likely finding it tough to cope. As the eager but weary audience for tonight’s Fly My Pretties performance started filing into Auckland’s Town Hall, it was with trepidation but diligence that people tagged their tracer app on entry and dowsed their hands in “hand-sanny”, in a performative “See, I’ve got you bro!” kinda way. We’re happy to be here, if not a little freaked out, suspicious, and wild eyed, but most certainly we’re coming with a community spirit of looking after each other… knowing that we’re in the hotspot for the last community case announced earlier this week. However, Aunty Cindy and Uncle Ashley said we’re all good for events and gatherings, so party we shall.

Overall a Fly My Pretties gig is a very creative and civilised affair and tonight was gentle and inviting from the get-go. A warm welcome for band leader and Fly My Pretties brainchild Barnaby Weir was apt; the humble man who’s arguably responsible for the ‘New Zealand sound’ that we’ve enjoyed since The Black Seeds to beyond. Those unmistakable, quintessential tones that would pull you towards others from our Aotearoa soil when you used to hear them overseas, when of course us fearless Kiwi explorers would traverse the earth with wild abandon and wanderlust. As Barnaby welcomed us into the headspace for the night, delightfully a punter yelled out an encouraging comment about Weir recently welcoming a child into the world since the last time Fly My Pretties had played live like this. Appreciative of the baby shout out, Weir then shared his slight chagrin that the tickets for this joyous evening had been on sale for around a year; and now that we were all together he promised “…but don’t worry we’ll give you a good show tonight”

A formidable Fly My Pretties all-star cast assembled before us, hitting both the Fly My Pretties OG’s and newer pledges on the roster, all were dressed in an alluring red and black aesthetic and presented as one breathing, emoting, musical unit. Tonight’s crew of course led by Weir included: Jarney Murphy, Iraia Whakamoe, Aaron Stewart, James Coyle, Nigel Patterson, Ryan Prebble, Laughton Kora, Age Pryor, Bailey Wiley, Ria Hall, LA Mitchell, Lisa Tomlins, Anna Coddington, A Girl Named Mo and Hollie Smith. Suited and booted, the Fly My Pretties crew broke the ice with Never Blown Like It’s Goin’, Lucky and Take It From Me. Then Weir invited Aucklander Anna Coddington to centre stage to perform her new song Do I Exist? from her forthcoming release, with this freshie getting its first live play this evening. Anna looked avantgarde and fierce, belting out her new track with a band of red make up emblazoned across her face, that had this Marilyn Manson-esque toughness to it. It made sense in the set list then, to have Coddington take us on a journey through Garden from Fly My Prettie’s 2009, A Story. I was dreading this one to be honest. I should have known that Anna’s beautiful voice and yearning guitar would destroy me, and it did. This song was a favourite for the other half of my whole that I lost suddenly in May this year; in fact, around the same time that we were expecting to see this show’s original date, pre-pandemic. As Anna sang “…this is not the world I know…” I was immediately in tears and soothed in that strange duality that only wonderful music can bring.

Next up was the incomparable Hollie Smith, taking to the stage to share her new song with us which Hollie mentioned would be releasing next year called; Something New. While Anna treated us to chords and her flayed open heart; Hollie gifted us her silken soul drenched vocals, while at the keys delivering with love and optimism the ode she’s written for her boy to give him the tools to stride forward in this world. Which gave us a gorgeous moment of harmonisation with Hollie, Anna, and LA’s rising voices to the ceiling of the Auckland Town Hall. Back to lead us, Weir chatted about the intention of Fly My Pretties to studio record some of their beloved tracks that have usually been only in the live iteration we know and love so well. After all this is the cornerstone of the Fly My Pretties experience, seeing and feeling it live. Then the familiar, uplifting strains of Turn It Around reverberated into the night with Barnaby giving it a golden, effortless but no less heartfelt rendition.

Barnaby brought the brilliant LA Mitchell to the spotlight for a burl through of Apple Heart, which LA suggested was one for the lovers and encouraged all those in attendance here tonight to snuggle up, sway along and squeeze each other’s hands. That’s when my Apple Heart ached, understanding I will never be that same whole, in the way I was before. Bailey Wiley was the next talent to take centre stage with Take It From Me, looking resplendent in her fashion tonight and lightening the mood for me instantly with her Hip Hop core informing her performance. Weir, our narrator for the evening gave us a preface for A Story of it being “a children’s story for adults” speaking on the need for sustainability, eliminating pollution and the importance of taking care of our unique, New Zealand eco system. This themed album is my favourite and it was good to hear these tunes again that feel even more important than they did in 2009. As Weir kicked into a commanding version of Heavy Weather. Bag of Money, the track you could tell many had been waiting for, got the punters out of their seats ; forgetting their civilised selves and dipping back into whoever they were 10, 15 years ago, boogeying with reckless abandon at the front of the stage, all started by one courageous woman who with zero cares given, got down there and opened it up. That’s my kinda lady, as she gestured to others to join her and break out of their COVID concerns. Appropriately after Bag of Money, Let’s Roll was up, but not before a little social commentary from Barnaby on the Reeferendum, “…it’s part of my day…” he sings, “should I give it away?” he implores.

Following that trip down fuzzy memory lane, we were into a 20-minute band recalibration and for the audience to get a dranks break in too. With the state of our live music scene this year, you’ve gotta get those bar and merch sales in, ammiright? After the interval, we were treated to an incredible Auckland Town Hall organ interlude by Nigel Patterson which led into a meaningful, memorial of Angels in honour of Fly My Pretties band mate and Ahoribuzz man, Aaron Tokona; as an image of Aaron graced the screen, another New Zealand legend we lost in 2020; shortly after I lost mine, in just the same way. After this uplifting acapella tribute, Age Pryor was brought to the stage to further memorialise Aaron Tokona with Singing In My Soul and it was sublimely lovely with Age, Barnaby and Anna front and centre with just their guitars and their singing souls. Following this Weir gave us a heartfelt message of love to honour Aaron, speaking about the loss of him this year and how sorely he will be missed, what an energy he was, how funny he was and what a good friend he was… Barnaby could have been speaking of my loss too in this moment and I felt seen. After this a gorgeous run through of Mud & Stardust by A Girl Named Mo lifted us up once more, which led on to Bailey Wiley giving her tune Sugar an airing, with a Fly My Pretties flourish on it and loads of luscious attitude.

Then the tune I’d been waiting for, this is the track that defines my 2020, even though it’s from 2009. I’m Alive In The World by LA Mitchell. LA and her comforting brightness got me up and dancing, singing along with my head back, my finger threaded through his wedding ring, my hand on my heart belting it out, tears streaming down my cheeks. As she finished, LA offered, “We are alive in the world guys, and it’s going to be alright.” Thanks LA, I really needed that. Like really. Hollie was invited back to the stage next for a sultry moment on Clarity. Before handing over to OG Ria Hall who delightfully expressed “Wow Auckland are we actually in here doing this right now? Within touching distance? I just want to take a moment to appreciate THAT shit!” While Ria also enjoyed and celebrated the fact that she was up this late; as Ria has just recently welcomed another baby into the world, congratulations Ria! Putting an exclamation on it by performing Walk with Lisa Tomlins on flute.

Handing the reigns back to Barnaby and back to their first album, All the Goodness was enjoyed by all, no doubt the ice was melted and there was a large contingent of dancers at the front now. Buoyed by this, there was a big thanks from Barnaby about our patience in waiting for this show to come to fruition. Then it was back to Age for Folding Over, where delightfully Anna and LA had a cute, mirrored dance off with each other at opposite ends of the stage. Off that, Age mentioned that Adi Dick was planned to come over from Norway specifically to perform Get Out, when this original date was planned. So tonight, powerhouse Laughton Kora instead did a mighty fine job for Adi; and Laughton’s energy was a highlight of the night, any stick in the mud’s that were steadfast in their stink-faces were now compelled to join in; helpless against Laughton’s undeniable vibe and the way he completely pulls focus from any other performer on stage, in the best possible way.

Into the encore for the evening; Ryan and co infiltrated the stage for an high energy performance of Hit the Hay; where Ryan brought that blues element through hard, ducking, bobbing and nodding, the tassel on his Fez cap swinging wildly as two techs worked furiously to hold down James’s keyboard rig, as he pounded them keys like they owned him money.

Always crowd fave Laughton returned to front and centre, stalking the dancing punters in the front with sass and that unmistakable way he just opens his guts and wails commandingly from his boots, throwing up the goats. In this full-on rock bro moment, Laughton was solo’ing his face off; up on the fold back, hair windmills a plenty…you can always count on Laughton to bring the metal.

Alright closed out the evening, with the full ensemble releasing and expressing, enjoying this moment now, rather than banking on when we’ll enjoy this the next time… and isn’t that indeed the point? Live it now, love it now and keep striving forward with common sense and a hope for a reunited world post pandemic. Isn’t that after all the only thing we can do? Take care of each other out there.

Were you there at The Town Hall for this special performance? Or have you seen Fly My Pretties perform live somewhere else before? Tell us about it in the comments below!

Set List:

Act One:

• Never Blown Like It’s Goin’
• Lucky
• Do I Exist?
• Garden
• Something Good
• Catch The Light
• Champion
• Turn It Around
• Apple Heart
• Take It From Me
• Heavy Weather
• Bag of Money
• Let’s Roll

Act Two:

• Organ Interlude
• Angels
• Singing In My Soul
• Mud & Stardust
• Sugar
• I’m Alive In The World
• Clarity
• Where Did All My People Go?
• Walk
• All The Goodness
• Folding Over
• Get Out
• Hit The Hay (Laughton & Ryan guitar interlude)
• Walking On
• Alright (Band Intro / Thanks)

Note: [AD] LOOP / Fly My Pretties provided passes to Ambient Light 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. This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase a product using an affiliate link, Ambient Light will automatically receive a small commission.

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