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Marlon Williams - Gig Review: Marlon Williams & The Yarra Benders @ The Powerstation, Auckland 09/03/2016
24 Mar 2016 // A review by camy3rs
I’ll preface this review with the fact that I’ve been seriously out of the loop on Marlon Williams - all I seem to have read about lately is how the future of American Roots music is currently sitting on the shoulders of a Kiwi lad, but I never clicked to the fact that this mantle (whilst obviously exciting) is such a disservice to his talent.
As Australian songstress Julia Jacklin opened William’s Sold Out Powerstation headliner, the tone for the night was well set.
When William’s and The Yarra Benders took to the stage in suits with their slicked-back hair, it was like being transported back before my time. Each and every song was its own wee story, there were gang vocals and harmonies and double bass - aspects of the show that verged on punk and then an encore of awesome bluegrass numbers where each member crowded around one mic.
The band seemed awed by the turnout and all crowd addressments were full of genuine thanks.
I don’t even know where to begin with Marlon’s voice - amazing doesn’t begin to cover it – he sings as if world-wearied and wonderfully youthful at the same time, and manages to leave you believing both.
There was an air of extra potential to the show and whilst it was solid in its own right, I can’t wait to see these guys again in a couple of years.
About Marlon Williams
This set the course for his teenage years as he not only formed The Unfaithful Ways winning the best song award in 2008 , but toured Europe with the Catholic Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament Choir, supporting the Vienna Boys Choir.
The Unfaithful Ways first album, made album of the year, and went to the finals of the critics choice awards, causing perennial cynic Simon Sweetman to state “There have been a few Kiwi alt-country/folk ensembles in recent years; many of them seem to lack authenticity…But The Unfaithful Ways have found a way in; there’s something utterly believable about this music; that it should come from New Zealand and channel a version of Americana.”
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Marlon Williams
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