Wiri Donna
28th March 2024
San Fran, Wellington, New Zealand.
Review and photography by Tim Gruar.
Last Thursday night Pōneke indie rockers Wiri Donna, supported by friends Sureboy and Maiden Name held a fundraiser to secure funds for their upcoming record pressing.
On socials, Wiri Donna’s lead singer, Bianca Bailey promised ‘terrifying tunes, moody moments and sure fire bangers, to kick the Easter long weekend off to a great start!’ It sure was a great party. Those that ventured out into the cold autumn air were rewarded with some fine tunes to bliss out to – plus there’s some sweet treats from the new e.p.
Faithful followers (including one or two Ambient Light contributors, just quietly) pushed to the front to show their fandom for the band and new material. Some of these have been road tested, others closer to box-fresh, and, of course, songs tried and true, hits from the first e.p. ‘Being Alone’ (2022).
But before all that, we had two support bands to enjoy.
On a stage festooned with Palestinian flags and scarves, dimly lit in blues and pink local five-piece, Maiden Name kicked off. Playing fresh off the back of their appearance at the Capital’s biggest party, CubaDupa, over the weekend they made ‘teeth-clenching, sapphic-raging, post gender ethereal rock’ (well that’s what they call it). Think Birthday Party, Chelsea Wolfe or early Southern Death Cult. Dark, gloomy, mesmerizing.
Starting slow and stilted, this proudly queer group gave us the minimalist ‘Weed’ and the lurching, a menacing thing called ‘Oh So Myst’ (I think); and some full-on angst on ‘Clawing, Scream’, ‘Wormholz’ and Chasm’. Most of the songs float on black chords, buoyed by simple guitar twangs, with the kind of gloomy sonic feel that Bela Lugosi would love!
There was some venomous rage from the band’s bass player, Milicent Ghosh, towards the end of one song. ”I have three things to say!”, she announced “One – Honour Te tiriti o Waitangi; Two – Free Palestine!; Three – Fuck Christopher Luxon!”
They finish on the slightly more upbeat ‘On all 4’s’ and the dark, evil ‘Sin’. A very neu-goth effort and a cathartic start to the night.
Brightening the mood was another local act, and one of my personal faves, Sure Boy. Also an all female act, this four piece cheekily call themselves ‘Wellington’s baddest girl band’. Although their music is sweet and strummy rather than the heavy driving rock the name may imply.
With a punchy rhythm section and a powerful, dynamic delivery from vocalist Beth Stewart they woke up the dance floor pumping out classic belters from their clever cache including the hook laden ‘Lemon Lady’, ‘What You Do When Your Alright’, ‘Loose Change’ and ‘Her’.
Formed only four years ago, Beth Stewart (vocals), Simone McCarthy (guitar, vocals), Lily Fulton (bass) and Freyja Appleyard (drums) have made their mark on the Capital’s indie scene and across the wider motu. Last year they did Rhythm and Vines, Summer in Waihi and CupaDupa). They’ve also earned an extra few stripes, opening for large national and international acts like Teenage Dads, The Beths, The Butlers and Heavy Chest.
Sureboy also pull out an anxious version of Alanis’ ‘You Outta Know’, which has become a modern anthem for the jilted, the world over. Done well, as this version was, it cuts to the bone.
Stewart exchanged banter with the audience and revved them up for a bit of a sing-back on their new crowd pleaser ‘Post Party Pepsi’. She also reminded us about a live recording of the song made on the very same stage last week. It’s by far their best banger live, with a call back the people totally got into. The vibe was total student union groove night wig out and everyone loved it.
Last year, Bianca Bailey gave Ambient a few hints about the new e.p. ‘In My Chambers’, which was being mixed by James Goldsmith at The Surgery in Newtown. He also made the previous e.p ‘Being Alone’. Tonight was a benefit to support getting those tapes onto vinyl. So with support from Olivia Campion on the drum kit, and regular conspirators Harrison Scholes (bass) and Elliott Dawson (guitar) Bailey rewards her fans for the loyalty providing a confident set from the forthcoming e.p. that opens with the darkly delicious number, ‘The Gold’, followed by the serious ‘Hell Or Highwater’, a moody and introverted ‘Bad Behavior’, and the title track. I’ve often wondered about the title: Chambers of what? Legal, intimate like a bedroom, or chambers of a gun, or some deep silo of the mind. All of the above? Bailey does this one tonight without her guitar, to give a more intense effect. Towards the end, she’s winds herself up, like a coiled spring, pleading, praying drawing us into her anxiety.
Bailey told me ‘Bad Behaviour’ was one of her favourites because it has a ‘Paramore/Risky Business’ rock feel to it. It’s about a scorned woman seeking revenge, at least in her mind but never going ahead with it. She fantasises about of all the evil actions she could do – a dream of bad behaviour.
To complete, they also revive favourite such as ‘Being Alone’, title of her 2020 e.p. and still a powerful #MeToo statement, the glorious ‘Big Pop’, the blissful ‘Dream of Me’ and grungy ‘No Follow Through’.
With 15 minutes to midnight, when the bar has to close to meet the impending Good Friday Trading Regulations, Bailey calls for all the rockers in the house to get their crazy on for the final song – ‘Sink’ (which will also be on the new e.p). This is a shoegaze-whammy that shakes the cobwebs out and warms us up, ready to hit the merch table with enthusiasm before heading back out into the chilly Easter air.
For lovers of Kiwi indie ‘In My Chambers’ will be a brilliant edition to the collection, especially on vinyl. With luck, it’ll be out by the end of the year, Bailey says. It’s great to see bands like Wiri Donna taking the reigns and forging their own path. I’m sure they’d crave the love of the big record companies, if only they didn’t have to compromise their souls and creativity to do it. For me, supporting small independent acts like Maiden Name, Sureboy and Wiri Donna is a no-brainer. This is how they survive! I encourage everyone to get out and go see local acts and buy their stuff, especially vinyl, at the concerts. Get it signed while you are there. Its a great memory souvenir and, perhaps, a promise of more to come.
Wiri Donna:
Sure Boy:
Maiden Name:
Were you there at San Fran for this wonderful fundraising gig? Or have you seen Wiri Donna perform live some other time? Tell us about it in the comments below!
Wiri Donna Setlist:
- The Gold
- Bad Behaviour
- Stop Charades
- In My Chambers
- Being Alone
- Big Pop
- Dream Of Me
- No Follow Through
- Sink
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.
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