The out of season warm night air was inviting and embracing the great crowd that came to Auckland’s best live pub to experience the enduring music of the legendary Jordan Luck and his Band. The eager crowd was warmed up very nicely with a rocking set from brand new rockers Dead Favours who impressed with their broad rock sound and robust look. Their music was energetic and melodic with originals that sounded just right for the growing audience. Lead vocalist Jared Wrennall has a clean and powerful vocal that fitted the crunchy rock sound the band produce. Lead guitar from Kyle Wetton was edgy and strong with intricate riffs and grinding drives peeled off with consummate ease. The tight and rhythmic drum work by Charlie Smith was brilliant in its delivery and precision, and the great walking tuneful bass from Ross Larsen could be heard amongst the guitars and was an integral part of the music. This was a very impressive first ever gig for the foursome and a promising future beckons.

Ekko Park sparked some energy into the crowd with their dynamic rock tunes, their songs are so tight and punchy, any resistance to bouncing on your feet was futile. With the irrepressible Joe Walsh on vocals and guitar there was never a moment that he wasn’t up to something, from singing to jumping around the stage and engaging equally with both the band and the crowd. Superb lead guitar was booming from Joel Halstead’s amplifier in glorious union with Joe’s pulsating guitar and Bryan Bell’s thumping bass, all driven to its temped best by Nick Douch on the drums. Their tribute to their friend Jeff who is fighting Cancer was a fittingly wonderfully performed cover of Bowie’s Hero’s, with Joel’s incredible lead guitar resonating through the song while Joe sung his heart out, these guys really do pour their soul into their music and it grabs you wholeheartedly and it becomes so absorbing and thrilling. A marvellous support act indeed.

The Jordan Luck Band kicked off with the very AC/DC inspired Mercury Moon from their brilliant new album Not Only But Also which brought everyone to attention and boom we knew we were in for a good night. Jordan was full of raspy goodness and he sang with a relish and energy that didn’t fade as the night turned to morning. Jordan moved around the stage and expressed himself in both voice and movement, with his arms and hands dancing with the music like a conductor.

The Exponent’s classics were sounding fresh and alive with the crowd relishing the opportunity to sing along, with Tracy, Victoria, Who Loves Who The Most and the 7 minute long I’ll Say Goodbye getting rapturous vocal accompaniment from the now packed floor. Interspersed between Exponent classics were songs from the new album which fitted right into the set;Finesse, Can I Help You, and Only If You're Lonely sounding like soon to be classics, while the powerful ballad Stevie deserves special mention for its raw and emotional sound that inspired tremendous performances from both Jordan and his band.

There were some covers too with Gloria a popular sing-a-long number and the tribute to Graham Brazier with Hello Sailor's Blue Lady which also saw this reviewer jump on stage and play saxophone accompaniment! Well I got to feel what it’s like to play with a tight and well-oiled touring band and boy was it good, these guys know how to lift into and out of a chorus or verse with feeling and authority, and to play out the crescendo finish with them was thrilling indeed, it felt great, but as I was on the wrong side of the stage any critique would be iniquitous.

The band consists of 4 musicians who know there stuff and are technically proficient but notably know how to enjoy themselves while they perform it, they are like a band of mates that get a kick out of what they’re doing and it looks like they are doing it for the first time, they don’t look tired or run down with touring and playing the same songs night after night, they just beamed through the set and never relented. Joe Walsh played and played his electric and acoustic guitars through extended version of songs and looked like he could do another gig at the end, Lead guitar was brilliantly delivered by Bryan Bell providing the many celebrated licks and riffs throughout the set with an assured skilful simplicity. The driving room of Bass from Rich Mixture and Beaver on drums had the music under their command and many songs were extended to the whim of their choice, like when I’ll Say Goodbye went for an extra half a dozen finales.

The show finished with the ultimate Kiwi stadium song-a-long Why Does Love Do This To Me which went off, and the booming encore of AC/DC’s Let There Be Rock was an astonishingly potent finish. The cheers and smiles on the faces of the audience were evidence of a special night, the overall feeling was so positive and infectious that it was hard not grin and say man that was fun to anyone in earshot. Thank you Jordan Luck and Band you guys rock.

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  GOOD LUCK, BABE!
  Chappell Roan

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