For anyone who hasn’t yet ventured into the small but perfectly formed Backbeat Bar on K Road, be sure to go check it out. For a venue that’s very much blink and you’ll miss it, it’s quickly been added to my list of great music venues around Auckland. Owned by the Rockshop downstairs, the space is graciously adorned with much talked about drum skins and guitars signed by the greats of music past and present. Foo Fighters, Them Crooked Vultures, Eric Clapton, Joe Cocker.. A great sight for any music fan.

Previously I had only heard snippets of supporting band, Royal Jackets and what a cool assault on the ears they were live. The Auckland four piece put on a blistering set with their cross pollination of Groove Rock and a hell of a lot of energy. Vocalist, Jono Ashwell’s hair was in a world of its own, the rhythm section on par with every infectious kick drum. Well done guys, you sure made some new fans.

Just after 11.00pm, Hunt The Witch ambled to the stage. The great thing about seeing local bands is the casualness to it all, the friendly back and forth because half the audience is either family or friends and bandmates ribbing each other because they’ve had a few whiskeys, but it’s the singer’s birthday AND the band’s first EP release gig so celebrations are definitely in order! Dishing out the aforementioned plethora of already known songs on their EP and a bunch of very exciting new material, Hunt The Witch sound even better live. Being such a small stage (or rather, floor space) the sound engineer was doing a stellar job literally controlling everything from his tablet and it was pretty cool to see it in action, rather than the sound desk at bigger venues. Sam Whitley’s vocals were on fire, as were the epic rhythm section, and man, Drummer, Jason Peters gives Dave Grohl a run for his money on those skins!

Upon hearing new songs laid bare, their overall sound looked and sounds bigger, meatier with a lot of great melody. Oddly enough I felt proud standing there taking it all in watching the energy and cohesiveness of it all. The crowd may have been sparse that night, but quality over rules anything and from the collective yells and whoops from the punters that stuck, Hunt The Witch are going places with their Rock assault on New Zealand and if you weren’t there you missed a blinding show. Be sure to catch these guys when they next play, they are phenomenal to watch and hear.
Fan for life right here.

• 1
  Head Like A Hole
• 2
  Horror Story
• 3
  Fraser Ross
• 4
  Fur Patrol
• 5
  Michelle Rounds
• 6
  L.A.B.
• 7
  Devilskin
• 8
  Coridian
• 9
  The Boondocks
• 10
  Late to Chelsea

• 
  LOST BiRD @ Space Academy, Christchurch - 15/12/2024
• 
  Just Janie @ Space Academy, Christchurch - 15/12/2024
• 
  Dream Chambers @ Meow Nui, Wellington - 14/12/2024
• 
  The Phoenix Foundation @ Meow Nui, Wellington - 14/12/2024

• 1
  APT.
  ROSÉ And Bruno Mars
• 2
  DIE WITH A SMILE
  Lady Gaga And Bruno Mars
• 3
  BIRDS OF A FEATHER
  Billie Eilish
• 4
  TASTE
  Sabrina Carpenter
• 5
  I LOVE YOU, I'M SORRY
  Gracie Abrams
• 6
  ESPRESSO
  Sabrina Carpenter
• 7
  SAILOR SONG
  Gigi Perez
• 8
  LOSE CONTROL
  Teddy Swims
• 9
  A BAR SONG (TIPSY)
  Shaboozey
• 10
  GOOD LUCK, BABE!
  Chappell Roan

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