Jonathan Bree
2nd November 2018
Hollywood Theatre, Auckland, New Zealand.
Review & Photography by Sarah Kidd.
‘Body so fit, so full of spark …’
Take one historical picture theatre and add a dash of film flavoured with vocals of melted butter; now place a single drop on your tongue and you might just get an idea of what a Jonathan Bree show tastes like.
Following the release of his superlative third solo album entitled Sleepwalking, Jonathan Bree complete with a four-piece ensemble that included a delightful pair of female terpsichoreans performed an outstanding show from within the whispering walls of the neo-classical building known today as the Hollywood Cinema.
Easing the audience into the evening with his own personal brand of ‘night music’, Auckland producer Green Grove – aka Durham Fenwick – delivered a synth-soaked set that flowed through the veins like a tincture. Accompanied by a four-piece live band that included both JY Lee and Paul Brown of Pleasure Majenta, Green Grove laid down a kaleidoscopic feast of luxuriant sounds overlaid with vocals that came from the damp earth itself before shape-shifting into a falsetto that glinted like cut glass.
A slight technical hitch near the beginning of the set was soon forgotten as the layers of music weaved together to create a coverlet into which the audience could wrap themselves within; tracks such as ‘Sit Down’ and ‘Soma’ framing his newest piece entitled ‘Sleuth’. Pleasingly succulent with a decidedly relaxed vibe, Green Grove were certainly the right choice with which to commence the evening.
With many of the audience members filling the dance floor, those wanting to fully immerse themselves in the show took one of the numerous cosy seats upstairs overlooking the stage. As the heavy velvet curtains parted there stood Bree flanked by his terpsichoreans, both his guitarist and drummer positioned in the furthermost corners, the big screen behind them sputtering to life.
Bree is quite unlike any other act; shedding his pop coloured cloak from his time with The Brunettes, he now adorns himself with a faceless white mask and black bowl-cut wig. It has often been noted that Bree is enamoured with the 60’s, an era for which he has shown great affection; this evening is no different, snippets of it seen in both his music and clothing, the more obvious nods appearing in many of the cinematic pieces played out on the screen behind him.
Offering up the title track of his third album to begin and the atmosphere immediately moves into one of exultation, the audience entranced by this living, breathing picture show before them. Each piece moves seamlessly into the next, their expedition interrupted only by the ecstatic acclamations of the audience. Folding in tracks from both his first two solo albums – A Little Night Music and The Primrose Path – the performance is filled with movement and dance, Bree himself often standing back as he regards the audience from behind his expressionless mask. Yet while Bree and his entourage may not display emotion through the usual channels, there are nuances throughout that speak volumes; subtle tilts of the head, a hand held to the side.
The duet between Bree and what can only be assumed to be Princess Chelsea (who appeared in the very same venue just a week before) on ‘Say You Love Me Too’ harbours a sadness within its words, the two characters standing at the edge of the stage as they hold the microphones to eachothers faces spellbinding in their stillness. Visually the night is exhilarating, each step, each manoeuvre carefully planned and executed flawlessly. It would be easy to get swept away by it, the music becoming merely a backing track. But the songs themselves are like the Harvey Wallbanger’s of this musical cocktail party, intoxicating they cause the audience to sway as the notes saunter about the room in glittering glory underpinned by haunting violins that make tracks such as ‘You’re So Cool’ so completely desirable.
‘Fuck It’ is quietly rebellious, and surprisingly joyous despite its lyrics that would make you think otherwise, it segues nicely into ‘The Primrose Path’ bringing the audience full circle to the title track of Bree’s first solo album. Returning to the positions they first began the evening in, the quintet bow as the word ‘Fin’ in large capitals appears behind them, the audience cheering loudly as they file off the stage.
The rumours are true, Jonathan Bree is utterly fab.
Were you there at the Hollywood Theatre to witness this indie chamber pop gig? Or have you seen Jonathan Bree perform live somewhere else before? Tell us about it in the comments below!
Jonathan Bree Setlist:
- Sleepwalking
- Weird Hardcore
- Roller Disco
- Say You Love Me Too
- Boombox Serenade
- Tear Your Face Off
- Blur
- Static
- Drones & Satellites
- Duckie’s Lament
- Valentine
- Laptop
- You’re So Cool
- Fuck It
- The Primrose Path
Green Grove Setlist:
- Sit Down
- Soma
- Sleuth
- Silently
- Rockin
- Final Fantasy
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