06 Jul 2009 // A review by amandashootsbands
The
Fuel Festival in Hamilton seems to get bigger and brighter every year, and this time round its played host to some of New Zealand’s most popular acts such as Minuit and Little Bushman, along with Saturday night favourites -
Midnight Youth and
Autozamm.
Being an all ages gig, there were kids a plenty, all out to see their beloved hotties on stage with the obvious hope to impress the musicians so much that they might choose to ‘hang’ with them after the show. To be honest, I was pretty embarrassed when
Midnight Youth had hopped on stage to an array of teenage girls – all screaming and ogling them with their over dressed eyes. I was hoping that the same wouldn’t be continued for the
Autozamm boys who probably wouldn’t take too kindly to that behaviour now that they’ve been there and done that.
Sadly the damn ‘I must touch the singer as many times as possible’ thing didn’t stop once the opening act escaped back stage. The
Autozamm lads also received just as much action from the moment they came out with their instruments, and so the awkward saga continued.
Starting off a beautiful set with
Drama Queen, they got the crowd swaying before an obvious favourite, off their recently released album -
Disco. Now the lads were treated to the same tricks as the previous – touching galore. Whatever these girls could get their hands on; they were there which shocked front man
Nick Major who jumped back a few times to dodge some serious petting. It can’t go without mention just how much I enjoyed the look on his face as he bent back matrix styles to get out of reach. Nice work Major!
Now, if you’re not familiar with the guys’ albums,
Sweet Love would most likely come as a bit of a shock. Its ultra rocky and not as sensitive as their other stuff. I love it, and was so excited to see them perform it live that I probably could have joined the rest of them in the crowd and pissed my pants. Jumping around the stage like international rock stars it’s easy to see how these guys are gaining more and more fans around the country with their charm and charisma. Team that up with their recent appearance on
NZ’s Next Top Model and they’ve got success written all over them.
All time favourite of mine has to be
Ways To Run. Every time I see these guys perform this tune I am wowed not only by
Nick Majors beautiful vocals, but by the simplicity of it. It’s fresh and light and so awe inspiring – doing things to me that you only read about in books. As always this piece was on form and hit the spot making me forget for a moment about the stupid boy next to me who wouldn’t stop banging on the speaker. Who does that through such a soulful song? I mean really?
Their latest single
Long Days first featured along-side the girls of
New Zealand’s Next Top Model, and seems to have gained the attention of swooning teens all over. Maybe they’re all hoping to share a kiss with Major, I’m not too sure but what I do know is that when this tune started they went crazy! A group were invited onto the stage to show off their dancing skills which were limited to jumping up and down with excitement. Still, I think most of the lads enjoyed it and it made for light entertainment through all of my and guitarist,
Mike Carpinters cringing followed by the exchanging of a polite smile.
Mess Of A Mind, Day To Day and
Down On Me came before another of their radio hits,
Closer To Home which shows the softer side of the band that I have fallen in love with. I don’t know what it was about the quieter songs, but for some reason it sparked madness in that boy who was previously having a got with the speaker. By this stage you could see the frustration on the band members’ faces making me feel that embarrassment all over again. Thank goodness what followed drowned out any more crap from the kid when the lads performed a loud and jazzed up version of
Jump, then
Killer Shoes.
Finishing up their set with
Sweet Transvestite it’s safe to say that in spite of the mental goings on, I had myself a bloody good night and really look forward to seeing both bands minus the kiddies in the future. Personally I think they’re way too talented and sophisticated to be putting up with that kind of behaviour. Obviously.
Amanda Ratcliffe