Trentemøller
17th June 2023
Powerstation, Auckland, New Zealand
Review by Bridget Herlihy with photography by Doug Peters.
Danish producer, composer and musician Anders Trentemøller has amassed a large and dedicated following of electronica fans in the 20 years since the release of his debut EP. Beginning his live performance career in the clubs of Copenhagen, Trentemøller has to date released six studio albums, along with a number of EPs and singles, as well as contributing to various compilations. One of the most alluring and interesting facets of his work is that he continues to push boundaries and explore different genres in his compositions.
Yet despite a career spanning three decades, this week marked his first live shows in New Zealand, starting with Wellington’s San Fran on Thursday, before playing a near sold out show at Auckland’s Powerstation on Saturday night, followed by a quick hop across the ditch to play Hobart’s infamous Dark Mofo festival on Sunday. (Just to clarify, Anders Trentemøller is the man. TRENTEMØLLER is his performance moniker and the name of his live band).
A large, enthusiastic and eclectic audience gathered inside the Powerstation, where it was considerably more welcoming than the cold and damp outside. Auckland based five-piece Speech Act Theory did an excellent job of escalating the level of anticipation in the room with a thoroughly enjoyable set of guitar infused downtempo and trip-hop inspired alt-electronica tracks. Vocalist Brodie Macdonald possesses captivating vocal prowess and stage presence that is a formidable accompaniment to the live band’s strong performance. Their sound is both interesting and invigorating, and was very well received by the growing crowd.
After a short break where many seemed more interested in finding the perfect position to enjoy the show than heading to the bar, TRENTEMØLLER appeared, the atmosphere beautifully set with a back-lit stage. Taking up his position behind his synths, he was joined onstage by his live band, Silas Tinglef (2nd Blood) on drums, Brian Batz (Sleepy Party People) on guitar, and Jacob Haubjerg (Sleepy Party People, Savage Rose) on bass. Icelandic musician Disa rounded out the onstage band, providing ethereal vocals and playing guitar and/or keys on instrumental tracks.
Beginning the with haunting Veil of White, the first track of Memoria, the set started with a shoegaze tempo, before things started to heat up with a wonderful rendition of No More Kissing In The Rain; Disa’s ethereal vocals the perfect match for the beautifully melancholic song. Tracks with vocals were interspersed with instrumentals throughout the evening, and often it was the sheer energy of Trentemøller and his band during these instrumentals where they really stood out. Pulsating rhythms and huge beats accompanied by bright white strobe lights tended more towards an industrial inspired energy. Watching the multiple members of the live band connect to form a single entity was mesmerising to watch, as Trentemøller looked around the stage, grinning and nodding in approval. In The Gloaming, also from Memoria, was another standout performance of the set, as was Trentemøller playing his interpretation of the chorus to Love Will Tear Us Apart; a clear nod to one of his influences, Joy Division. In fact, there were a number of moments where it appeared that Trentemøller draws inspiration from electronic and synth-inspired music from the 80s and 90s.
As a whole the set was wonderfully balanced – a mix of new and older tracks, and a mix of pace and grooves – and was seemingly flawless. TRENTEMØLLER kept the crowd captivated and elated for the entirety of their performance. It was easy to see, and hear, why Anders Trentemøller has received the accolades and recognition that he has. To see him perform live with his band was an experience bordering on otherworldly. Let’s hope it’s not a long time between visits!
Trentemøller:
Speech Act Theory:
Were you there at the Powerstation for this magnificent indie electronic gig? Or have you seen Trentemøller perform live somewhere else before? Tell us about it in the comments below!
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 at no cost to you.
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