St Jerome’s Laneway Festival
29th January 2018
Albert Park, Auckland, New Zealand.
Review by Sarah Kidd. Photography by Doug Peters.
Auckland Anniversary Day. For the last nine years – besides a cheeky wee long weekend – this day has only meant one thing; Laneway. The festival for any discerning music fan. Now its second year in its new home of the picturesque Albert Park, Laneway 2018 was shaping up to be a day to be remembered.
As the blistering New Zealand summer sun bore down just before lunch, those wanting to ensure that they made the most of all that the day had to offer, trooped through the gates in their droves; a cacophony of colour and conversation, the excitement almost palpable. While the punters familiarised themselves with the site, noting down those all-important water refill stations and toilets; two New Zealand bands were beginning the day in style. On the Fountain Stage the five piece wonder who recently released their single ‘Different For A Boy’, Auckland’s own Polyester. While down at the aptly named Thunderdome stage, which lay nestled at the end of a long line of Oak Trees, the relatively new 3 piece of Wax Chattels were delivering an earth shattering performance. Dressed in black and sounding strong, Tom Leggett the ‘human metronome’ drummer was flanked by the awe-inspiring Peter Ruddell on organ and vocals on one side and Amanda Cheng who wielded her bass and larynx like weapons of mass destruction on the other. Here was a band that demanded your attention and got it. With tracks such as ‘Gillian’ and ‘It’, Wax Chattels tore the stage apart with their final song of the set ‘In My Mouth’ which saw all three members drain their bodies of all possible energy; Peter particularly magnificent as he grappled with the organ as if it were both friend and foe. With their debut album due to be released shortly, this is one New Zealand act that must be added to the playlist immediately.
As the two main stages of the day kicked into life, it was West Auckland’s own Melodownz who christened the Rotunda stage. Long dreads hanging by his side, his bright yellow tshirt matching that of the giant orb lazily making its arching path across the sky, he dropped rhymes like golden coins at the feet of his fans. Finishing his killer set with the N.E.R.D track ‘She Wants to Move’; it would be safe to say that the talented NZ rapper certainly made an impression.
As early afternoon rolled around, much nail biting by patrons began to occur as they were torn between the likes of the legendary post-punk New Zealand band Die! Die! Die! or the darling – with attitude by the truckloads – of the current pop scene, Billie Eilish. Not only was Eilish performing today, she will also be appearing at yet another sold out Tuning Fork show on Tuesday night. Having already performed to a sold out crowd only a few months ago at the same venue, it is clearly evident that many young kiwi fans just can’t get enough of the girl who has a ‘Bellyache’. Dressed in an oversized orange tshirt and matching cargo shorts. Eilish quickly had the fans eating out of her hand. ‘Ocean Eyes’ in particular seeing the audience sing the chorus back to Eilish with much adoration. Taking the crowd down for a moment, Eilish took to centre stage, mic stand in hand for ‘Hostage’, the young singer proving that she can still pack a punch even in her quietest moments. Ensuring that she left her fans on a high though, Eilish closed her set with the sing a long hit ‘My Boy’; but not before genuinely thanking all those in attendance and taking a candid selfie.
As the North London band Wolf Alice were stirring fans up on the main Princes Street stage with their form of alternative rock that has seen them catapulted into the international music scene; the Californian based American singer Moses Sumney had jaws lying on the grass as his almost unearthly vocals soared across the green leafy branches surrounding the Rotunda stage. Dressed in black linen clothing that appeared to flow from his body; Sumney commanded the crowd with waves of sound that both soothed and yet simultaneously bubbled up from within. Tracks such as ‘Doomed’ threatened to spill forth and consume all as Sumney cleverly moved from looping his voice, to playing guitar and finally striking out a beat with his hand on top of the mic, the crowd quickly joining in by clapping their hands in time.
We were slowly sliding into late afternoon, however the current New Zealand heatwave wasn’t quite finished with us yet, the sun still scorching if directly exposed to for too longer periods; fans grateful for Laneway’s new home which offered multiple areas of shade which one could escape to.
Connan Mockasin certainly looked like he came prepared for the sun as he sported a rather large wide brimmed hat, his black and white striped shirt immediately catching the eye. There was barely room to slide a piece of paper between fans in front of the stage as Mockasins popularity made itself known. Highlight of the set (besides, well basically every song he played because he’s just that good) a cover of The Beatles Classic ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’ featuring on vocals, Connans father Abe Mockasin.
With the crowd now well and truly close to peak numbers The Internet stormed the stage while in the distance, kiwi songstress Aldous Harding was once again making her mark. Fronted by ex-Odd Future member Syd [Bennett], The Internet held nothing back with their onstage performance despite the almost stifling heat that hung like a blanket over the park. “Am I on??” Syd asked, the hundreds of cheers in reply giving her, her answer. After instructing the crowd to get their hands up and keep them there, the band performed an absolutely sizzling rendition of ‘Under Control’ from their 2015 album Ego Death. “New Zealand, it is good to be back! Thank you for having us once again!” Syd’s gratitude reciprocated with cheers. Two songs in and the crowd are treated to a little something, something by guitarist Steve Lacy as he sings ‘Dark Red’, super fans in the front rows singing the lyrics word for word. Delivering a darker, sultry vibe next, Syd made the stage sizzle as the group sang ‘Special Affair’.
Punters looking for a reprieve from the density of the crowds around the main stages made their way down to The Thunderdome where a slight breeze in the air offered some reprieve from the heat. However the heat on stage was only just beginning as NZ artist Noah Slee stepped up. Currently based in Berlin, Slees debut album ‘Otherland’ is an absolute triumph. Dressed in a paisley tracksuit that conjured up New Zealand flavours of paua and pohutukawa flowers, Slee showed his mastery by looping together simple beats and a series of “yeahs, and uh-huhs” to create something truly unique. His track ‘Sunrise’ featured the lines ‘It’s just one of those days, we all need each other” the sentiment one that holds so much weight in this current world climate. Following a live collaboration with Melodownz and a nod to the era of disco, Slee delivered his track ‘Told’; and while it may have turned the Thunderdome into a giant dance party with its slick beats, it’s very personal story being told underneath left you with something to ponder.
Finally the early evening gifted the tiniest of cool breezes to Laneway attendees, the sun while slowly setting still delivering some glorious rays of light across the Albert Park gardens as fans jogged down towards the Princes Street stage to catch Canadian Mac Demarco who was bringing the groove. “If you feel like singing along I encourage it … if you don’t, well that’s ok too!” Demarco encouraging the audience to get involved. Between tales of getting pizza at 3:30am on the morning of Laneway and comparisons of Vancouver to Auckland, Demarco threw in some sparkling tracks such as the gorgeous ‘No Other Heart’ from his 2015 album entitled Another One. “Have a wonderful day and a wonderful festival, God Bless” Demarco told the fans before introducing ‘Chamber of Reflection’ from his Salad Days album. One thing is for sure, Demarco is an artist that brings home the feel good vibes and ensures you leave with a smile on your face.
Heading into the night and Laneway were bringing out the big guns. While Father John Misty tore up the Princes Street Stage, it was standing room only at the Rotunda as the highly anticipated Anderson .Paak accompanied by (in his own words) “the best band in the world” The Free Nationals came out swinging. For those not directly in front of the speakers there were a few sound issues, .Paaks vocals often lost in the melee, however this did not deter the fans from having the time of their lives as they watched the brightly coloured PUMA top wearing .Paak work the crowd, the stage and the microphone stand (rather intimately) with all he had. Working in old school hip-hop beats, .Paak was everywhere at once, his liveliness knowing no bounds as he divided the crowd up and instructed them to “bounce, bounce, bounce”; his remix/cover of R. Kelly’s ‘Ignition’ perfect for a summer evening. But .Paak wasn’t done with the audience yet, in the blink of an eye he was suddenly behind the drum kit delivering a performance worthy of accolades. From the crowd pleasing ‘Come Down’ off his Malibu album to ‘Heart Don’t Stand A Chance’ and ‘Room In Here’, .Paak held the audience til the very end. His first appearance in New Zealand one that will be talked about for days to come.
Certainly one of the highlights of Laneway had to be that of English Rock Band Slowdive. Originally forming in 1989, the group took to the stage quietly; a small pink inflatable flamingo perched on the corner of the keyboards. Easily one of the forefathers of ‘shoegaze’ and ‘ambient dream pop’, Slowdive kicked off their set with their track of the same name; many in the audience giving themselves over to the tidal waves of guitar and vocals. ‘Catch the Breeze’ saw four of the five member band split apart into their own little insular cells as they flayed their respective guitars and bass within an inch of their lives, the continuous strobe lights making it feel as if multiple lightning storms were happening just above our heads. Psychedelic graphics danced across the back screen, their colours often matching the brightness of Rachel Goswells blood red stockings. ‘Crazy for Love’ saw Goswell and Halstead layer their vocals together until they were rich and silky … but yet still with a whip in its tail. All the while bassist Nick Chaplin, exploded back and forth, his bass playing a sight to behold. ‘Souvlaki’, ‘Alison’ and ‘Sugar for The Pill’ all took your breath away, their delivery so passionate that many had their eyes closed, heads rolled forward as they immersed themselves in the music. But it was their final track of the evening, the ethereal ‘Golden Hair’ that moved many to the point of tears; Goswells vocals tearing at your insides with a tarnished beauty. This is what perfection sounds like.
Laneway was slowly drawing to a close but not before the artist known as Bonobo endowed the crowd with his visual and aural splendour. Having played the Town Hall recently it was hard to imagine that he could capture that same outstanding visual aspect, but he did. Billows of smoke, cradling silhouettes of the band members and indeed Bonobo himself centre stage. In keeping with many of the tracks from his set last year, Szjerdene once again made a stunning appearance on songs such as ‘Break Apart’. ‘Hello! So good to be back in Auckland, this is twice in one year!” Bonobo (aka Simon Green) greeted the audience. ‘Bambro Koyo Ganda’ suddenly filled Albert Park with the sounds of tribal beats, many who had been stretched out on the grass enjoying the light show jumping to their feet and letting the music move their bodies.
Meanwhile over on the Princes Street stage the evening was being concluded with a performance by American indie rock band The War On Drugs. Tracks such as the ballad style ‘Strangest Thing’ seeing many couples wrap their arms around each other; both the outstanding sax and guitar solo’s taking the song to the next level. Bathing the stage in purple, organ notes drifting out through the haze of spotlights, latest track ‘Knocked Down’ was again a more mellow offering; the band soon bringing up the tempo as they rocked out ‘Red Eyes’, fans towards the back making use of the space around them to dance and skip, letting the last of the day’s vitality escape from their tired limbs.
And of course, you could not have at least one New Zealand artist see out the day; Baynk on the Thunderdome stage easily the man for the job. Against a back drop of illuminated triangles, he sampled and remixed tracks such as The Weekend’s ‘Can’t Feel My Face’ featuring the wonderful twist of female vocals. Jumping on the saxophone, Baynk owned it completely as the fans cheered him on, his tenacity knowing no bounds; each and every performance in his relatively recent career being of the highest level. Of course, it’s not all about the remixes; Baynk delivering some of his own stellar tracks such as ‘Find You’ to serenade the fans on their journey home.
Laneway is the culmination of exceptional organisation and it showed. It’s new home of Albert Park once again proving for a second year to be the ideal location in which to host some of the biggest names in the music industry today. Thousands of fans slowly made their way through the gates, exhausted but sated; stories of their adventures and musical experiences guaranteed to echo the streets for days to come.
Kudos Laneway.
Were you there at Albert Park in Auckland’s CBD for this magnificent summer festival? Or have you been to a prior version of St Jerome’s Laneway Festival? Tell us about it in the comments below!
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