Sir Dave Dobbyn
9th January 2022
Black Barn Vineyards, Havelock North, New Zealand
Review by Rob Harbers, with photography by Ian Cooper.
Some years ago, English auteurs Magazine produced an album titled “Magic, Murder, and The Weather”, and these, in greater and lesser quantities, were supplied to the crowd gathered in Havelock North’s spectacular Black Barn Amphitheatre on a sultry summer evening. This was a gathering originally set to take place a few months earlier, before the dreaded virus induced a case of the Delta blues, so was therefore hugely anticipated – and it was worth the wait!
The first of the friends to take the stage, while many of the capacity crowd were still filing in, was local hero Arahi. He delivered a set that displayed all the confidence and professionalism that an increasing audience are coming to associate with him, marking another step on the journey that will one day be sure to see him as the headline act at shows such as these. Score one for “Magic”!
Tauranga-based chanteuse Georgia Lines was next on the bill. An unfortunate bit of poor planning on my part meant that I missed the first part of her set, but what I did hear was a package of breezy, enjoyable material conveying the perfect mood for a slot such as this. Her original material was topped with an inspired cover of Lady Ree’s classic “Say A Little Prayer”, slotting in effortlessly alongside her own songs. The performance was marred only by a terrible joke, which is where the “Murder” comes in to the mix, but given the magical alchemy of her playing and the atmosphere, it’s forgiveable!
Third up was Poneke-based Louis Baker, keeping the magic quotient bubbling along with a solid set of soulful, funky material which got many up and moving, after an intro which almost called to mind Floyd’s “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” – or maybe that was just me? In any case, another act whose songs and performance perfectly matched the slot it was given, nicely stirring the anticipation of the audience for the main act.
As the last of the daylight faded from the sky, it was a case of “Here Comes The Knight” (to misquote from another Sir). This brave warrior proceeded to invoke the Duderic rite, summoning those present to “Be Mine To(k)night”, a request that largely held true for the rest of the show.
Having brought forth the magic, the aforementioned meteorology made it’s appearance, in the form of “Outlook For Thursday”.
In a set loaded with classics from across a long career, this recent recipient of a SuperGold card showed no sign of having slowed down, and demonstrated during “Whaling” (or “Wailing” perhaps?) in particular that the pipes are still up to the task. Something to carry him through as he explores the islands of the Hauraki Gulf, and travels the busways, exploiting newly-earned privileges!
The middle phase of the show saw the airing of a few lesser-known numbers, causing a slight decline in interest from a crowd that was clearly there for the Big Ones, but things were brought back in to alignment by a rousing rendition of “Love You Like I Should” and held through “Slice Of Heaven” which closed out the main set.
The encore commenced with the invocation of another ancient rite, one brought on by a chant of “Yaaaah,ya ya ya” summoning a Blissful spirit. The big crowd-pleaser, though, was the final number “Welcome Home” which saw the Friends return to the stage, being granted the privilege of accompanying Sir Dave on perhaps one of his best-known songs, sending a sated audience off to their own homes.
So, in a welcome return to the live arena, and a great way to kick off the New Year, DD showed he can still Smash it, starting what is going to be a big week for music in Hawkes Bay, with NestFest on the horizon for Saturday. Long may the honourable gentleman continue to travel the country, with a retinue of Friends accompanying, and if he carries on in this form he’ll find a willing audience anywhere he may go!
Were you there at Black Barn Vineyards for this brilliant outdoor gig? Or have you seen Dave Dobbyn perform live somewhere else before? Tell us about it in the comments below!
Sir Dave Dobbyn Setlist:
- Be Mine Tonight
- Outlook For Thursday
- Language
- Whaling
- Just Add Water
- Just What I Need
- Loyal
- Oughta Be In Love
- Naked Flame
- Hanging In The Wire
- Love You Like I Should
- Slice Of Heaven
- Bliss [encore]
- Beside You [encore]
- Welcome Home [encore]
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. This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase a product using an affiliate link, Ambient Light will automatically receive a small commission.
If you enjoyed this content, please consider donating towards the running of Ambient Light, covering expenses and allowing us to expand the coverage you love by visiting our PressPatron page.