Unknown Mortal Orchestra
8th September 2018
Whammy Bar, Auckland, New Zealand.
Review & Photography by Sarah Kidd.
While hundreds of fans immersed themselves in what was reported to be an astounding performance at Auckland’s Town Hall, a far smaller group witnessed Unknown Mortal Orchestra in a far more up close and personal way thanks to a last-minute announcement of a Whammy Bar show later the same night. Tickets were gobbled up, the gig quickly selling out many still amazed that this was even happening considering Unknown Mortal Orchestra had already just completed a four night run of shows as part of their New Zealand tour.
Downstairs the room bristled with anticipation, bodies fitting themselves into all available space like a bizarre game of human Tetris. On stage techs busied themselves setting up equipment and fluorescent tube lighting, the haphazard yet perfectly placed pieces intermingling with thick white coils of wire like a busy mind.
Emerging on stage unsurprisingly looking a little tired, Unknown Mortal Orchestra were greeted to genuinely heartfelt cheering and applause, immense gratitude threaded together with a hint of amazement. While lead vocalist and guitarist Ruban Nielson’s t-shirt had changed his somewhat familiar silver Thai boxing shorts over black leggings remained, his cap pulled low over slightly damp curls that kissed his forehead. In the far-left corner his brother Kody settled in behind his kit, large red plastic glasses firmly in place; Jake Portrait – affectionately known as ‘Snake’ to his followers – on bass and keyboardist Thomas Mabus tucked away towards the back surrounded by a moat of ivory making up the rest of the band.
As the lighting came to life so did they, launching straight into ‘From The Sun’ from their sophomore 2013 album II, the inimitably quirky alt rock sound that is so definitively Unknown Mortal Orchestra tripping around the room. Proving that he still had energy to burn, Ruban was soon off into the middle of the crowd, bodies closing in around him as he played from somewhere in the centre of the room.
Reds morphed into deep blues as Unknown Mortal Orchestra gave a nod to their humble beginnings back in 2010 with ‘Ffunny Ffrends’; ‘Necessary Evil’ acknowledging their popular third album Multi-Love. While it would have been easy for them to have leaned heavily on their latest album Sex & Food released earlier this year, they instead delivered an intoxicating mix of both old and new, the crowd entranced by it all.
Besides the occasional “thank you” and a brief vaguely philosophical comment about not believing in affirmations from Ruban, the foursome preferred to let their music do the talking for them, each song a masterful mix of diverse tones, tinges of distortion – courtesy of Ruban’s mouth-watering smorgasbord of a pedal board – distinctive hi-hat flourishes and pop infused beats. Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s music cleverly encompasses all the best elements of indie and lo-fi along with a healthy injection of psychedelia, each track a melodious potion that has enchanted thousands of fans across the world.
The set soon grew in intensity, the audience physically leaning in closer towards the stage every time Kody let loose under the strobing lights, the combination a sonic and visual feast. Latest works such as ‘Major League Chemicals’ and the delightfully breathy ‘Not in love we’re just high’ that flexed it’s muscles culminating in Ruban busting out some dance moves that saw him drop to the ground with one of his signature splits made the crowd go wild, whoops and cheers leaping into the air as arms waved and hips swayed.
All too soon the set was winding down, the gorgeous ‘Hunnybee’ bringing it all to a close, Ruban conveying his gratitude to the crowd but advising them that his voice had gone and bidding them goodnight.
Intensely intimate and deeply satisfying, Unknown Mortal Orchestra closed out their New Zealand tour in true style tonight.
Were you there at Whammy Bar for this last minute sold out gig? Or have you seen Unknown Mortal Orchestra perform live somewhere else before? Tell us about it in the comments below!
Setlist:
- From The Sun
- Ffunny Ffrends
- Necessary Evil
- Swim And Sleep (Like A Shark)
- Ministry Of Alienation
- So Good At Being In Trouble
- Nerve Damage
- Major League Chemicals
- American Guilt
- Not In Love We’re Just High
- Multi-Love
- Everyone Acts Crazy Nowadays
- Hunnybee
- Can’t Keep Checking My Phone [on setlist but not played]
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Great photos 🙂