Lake Street Dive, Auckland NZ, 2017

Lake Street Dive

11th January 2017
The Tuning Fork, Auckland, New Zealand

Review by Sarah Kidd, Photography by Mike Thornton

We are half way through the first week back at work after the holidays and god damn isn’t it hard going? So a night of deliciously good music is just what the doctor ordered! Tonight’s show has long since sold out, and the Tuning Fork is at full capacity. The atmosphere is one of laughter and merriment, the drinks are flowing and everyone is ready to let loose to the sensation that is Lake Street Dive.

Supporting tonight is the charismatic duo known as Alae. Hailing from Nelson and having only moved to Auckland in the last year, these two old high school friends have already achieved much in the last twelve months. They recently released a self-titled EP and secured NZ on Air funding for their new single ‘Things Change’ which is set to drop in Jan/Feb. They also performed on the vines stage at this year’s coveted Rhythm and Vines festival. Alae are made up of Alex Farrell-Davey on vocals/guitar and Allister Meffan on piano.

Alex plays an acoustic guitar during the set tonight; he has a beautiful timbre to his voice especially on songs such as ‘Poor Oliver’. Allister provides delightful accompaniment on piano and backing vocals, and shows the audience that he is not just a one trick pony by playing the trumpet on their cover of Feist’s track ‘So Sorry’.

“One day we’ll get world famous and get two guitars”; Alex jokes as he pauses to retune his guitar.

Alae’s songs are a superb mix of indie/folk style music infused with poignant lyrics. They finish their set with ‘All Gived Up’ which features some soulful harmonica playing by Alex.

By this point the crowd are bristling with anticipation for what is about to happen.

When Lake Street Dive walks out onto the stage, the applause is almost deafening. It’s like witnessing the return of a conquering hero. Straight into ‘Godawful Things’ and it is immediately obvious that is going to be one hell of a good night. “How’s everyone doing tonight?” lead singer Rachel Price beams at the crowd “It’s about time Auckland, it’s about time! So good to be here!”. Dressed in a stunning black and white striped low cut dress, Price has all eyes on her as she takes the microphone and croons the opening lines of ‘I Don’t care about you’.

Formed in Boston, Massachusetts in 2004, Lake Street Dive (named after a street full of dive bars in Price’s hometown of Minnesota) are a four piece group heavily influenced by the likes of The Beatles, Abba, The Drifters and The Jackson 5.

And these influences have certainly shaped the sound of the band. They have a wonderful sultry sound on their slower ballads and a funky Motown thread running through their more upbeat tracks. ‘Side Pony’ from their latest album of the same name is a funky wee track – “It’s a hairstyle, it’s a lifestyle” Rachel tells the audience as she points to [standing] bass player Bridget Kearney who proudly flicks her side pony [hairstyle] with a knowing grin.

Each and every member of the band is so outrageously talented you are often left standing speechless. Price’s voice would be the envy of any soul singer, Mike Olsen on guitar and trumpet – yes we are treated to solo’s on both, his trumpet solo in particular leaving the crowd howling for more – shone and Bridget Kearney handles the huge standing bass with ease. And of course who can forget Mike Calabrese on drums, backing vocals and yes he even plays the cow bell!

A fun filled cover of ‘Lola’ by The Kinks triggered a full audience sing a long, Price really playing up the more comical aspects of the song. ‘Saving All My Sinning’ was so dangerously sultry that you almost found yourself blushing, and it certainly raised the temperature for the already amorous couples in the audience.

Price is an exceptional front woman, interacting with the crowd on regular intervals and sashaying around the stage. At one point during the show, an old 50’s style microphone appears and the band gathers around it to perform a fabulous version of ‘What I’m Doing Here’ their soaring melodies raising the roof.

Several songs later and we were nearing the end of the show, the band bid everyone thank you and good night and disappear for the obligatory ‘encore demands’. Appearing a mere minute later and calls for their track ‘Rich Girl’ ring out throughout the crowd. “We could” Price smiled, “but then what we are about to play could be better” and with that the instantly recognisable opening notes of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody sends the crowd into an absolute frenzy.

Lake Street Dive proving to all tonight, that they are indeed at the top of their game.

Lake Street Dive perform live at The Tuning Fork, Auckland New Zealand 2017. Image by Mike Thornton.

Were you there at the Tuning Fork to witness this fun show? Or have you seen Lake Street Dive somewhere else before? Tell me about it in the comments below!