22 Nov 2024
UsernamePassword

Remember Me? | Join | Recover
Click here to sign in via social networking
  • Articles »
  • Reviews »
  • The Jordan Luck Band - Gig Review: Jordan Luck Band with Ekko Park @ The Mangawhai Tavern, Mangawhai - 19/06/2021

The Jordan Luck Band - Gig Review: Jordan Luck Band with Ekko Park @ The Mangawhai Tavern, Mangawhai - 19/06/2021

20 Jun 2021 // A review by Investigator

I'll start with an admission; I was well up for this gig! A Kiwi icon, at an iconic venue, with a superstar rock opening act... and I wasn't the only one out for good night. One of my favourite mid-sized venues, The Mangawhai Tavern, played host to a sold out crowd all wanting to open their lungs and belt out those oh so familiar choruses with one of NZ's finest singer/songwriters, Jordan Luck. And he didn't disappoint.

But it didn't all start to plan; the weather was sketchy, later to get worse than just sketchy. Also there was a problem with noise. To my surprise, I wandered in ahead of the proposed 9pm start time and the opening act, Ekko Park, were already underway. I apologetically pushed my way through the crowded bar, thankful not to be drinking tonight with queues almost reaching Waipu, made my way into the outdoor marquee just in time to hear a ripping cover version of Elemeno P's 11:57. Instantly it was evident that Ekko Park were head and shoulders above any standard kiwi pub rockers. What stood out first was the killer rhythm section, Nick Douch on drums and Bryan Bell (ex-Dead Flowers frontman) on bass. I love it when a venue and sound engineer come together and this really showed, I could hear every bass note and found myself air drumming along with Nick, they were driving this show. So the spine was superb, but then you have a very talented, Alex Hargreaves, playing her low slung Les Paul (just like we all wish we could) bouncing with the downstrokes, not missing a note. It all comes together perfectly for guitarist/vocalist, Joe Walsh, to stalk the stage and stir the crowd. I've recently been enjoying their latest single, Bassano Sky. This was highlighted on the night by an excellent live performance, reminding me of early Stereophonics, their best years in my opinion.

Due to the noise restrictions, Joe made the call to start early and reduce the set to 8 songs. It's a shame because I was eager for more and the punters were clearly up for the night. I always take the time to check out audience reactions, not only were there Ekko Park fans there singing along to songs they knew, but there were scores of people up the front doing their best drunk dance, inaudible slur singing like they've been with the band since the start. I think the boys made some new fans... result.

End of Act 1.

Now the second act was a bit of a shock. No it wasn't The Jordan Luck Band, not a random local group either. It was the playlist between acts. I love a great playlist, most people do. But this crowd seemed to have written this gig down on their calendars in permanent marker, the crowd became Act 2. There were some Kiwi classics coming out those PA speakers and without a single person on stage, the crowd took it upon themselves to keep the show going. I was outside, hiding in the corner and writing notes when all I could hear was a couple of hundred voices singing, "drink yourself more bliss, forget about the last one, get yourself another..." That was it, something took hold and now every song on that playlist was sung by the throngs at ear deafening decibels. Act 2 highlight, definitely Beastie Boys Fight For Your Right, oh and the fact that everyone clapped after each song, like there was a live band on stage in front them playing it.

The crowd were singing, there was movement on stage as the playlist kept the peeps happy... and then out of the blue, Jordan Luck somehow segues out of the playlist directly into Why Does Love Do This To Me? It was a neat trick and one that emptied the bar and filled the marquee. From there on I was a fanboy again, reliving my Uni days while Jordan and his borrowed band of legendary Kiwi rockers played hit after hit until our throats were dry. This wasn't a phone-it-in performance from a man who could easily let the crowd do all the singing for him. This was a performance from a man who is on top of his game, with a voice just raspy enough to give these iconic songs more gravitas. The crowd, sung, screamed, flashed themselves like school kids all over again, but I could always hear one person above the rest... and always in tune, Jordan Luck. He was also funny and charismatic, at one point calling on Andrew Fagan of The Mockers to take the mic for a rendition of Forever Tuesday Morning. There was no Andrew Fagan, just Jordan himself walking off stage and then straight back on again to deliver an excellent version of the classic Kiwi tune. This wasn't to be the last cover of the night, with such a fantastic backing band, everyone had their time to shine.

Both Joe Walsh and Bryan Bell were doing double duty with Ekko Park and The Jordan Luck Band, with the former taking lead on Iggy Pop's The Passenger and Bryan Bell smashed out Split Enz's History Never Repeats. There was a fine nod to Graham Brazier with Hello Sailor's Blue Lady and later to Dragon as the band absolutely nailed April Sun in Cuba. Again I found myself mesmerised by the rhythm section, Bassist, Rich Mixture is the man, effortlessly working his way up and down the frets. This a guy who has the chops and has played on some outstanding records. But it's at the back where my eyes are at. None other than Beaver from The D4. He's just so damn good, every kick, fill and crash is perfect and still surprised that he didn't shatter brass or explode skin, relentless!

Just as you feel like the whole night is building, it unfortunately all comes to a halt at 10:30pm. I hate noise control, I'm a musician and a music lover, of course I hate noise control. I sometimes wonder who is controlling Karen about her constant complaining after moving in to an area with an already long established live music venue. It gives me the sad pangs of The Kings Arms all over again, a place where bands like these started out, a place where bands like these learnt their chops, a place where bands could express themselves and the people could express themselves too. What I do know is this, I had a fantastic night, the music was excellent, the crowd was on form and the thunder and lightning only added to the occasion.

With that - I'll leave the last words to Loz, the friendly yet talkative school teacher who had this to say to me, "This is totally wild, but excuse me I have to mimi."

 

About The Jordan Luck Band

‘Legend’ is a word suffering from chronic overuse syndrome these days, but when it comes to Jordan Luck, the word regains it’s full meaning and one the NZ public associates with this true blue Kiwi artist. This affection is obviously felt amongst his musical peers as well who bestowed Jordan the honour of Inaugural Inductee into the New Zealand Rock n Roll Hall Of Fame. As front man and pop-writing genius with the legendary Exponents, he clocked up a staggering 18 Top 40 singles over the years, with Victoria recently voted by public as the 8th greatest New Zealand song of all time. These days on any given weekend you will hear packed stadiums of sports fans singing in unison (if not in-tune) Why Does Love Do This To Me? a song that seems to have taken on the mantle as the ‘unofficial’ alternative NZ national anthem.

THE JORDAN LUCK BAND is the new super deluxe Frankenstein incarnation backing the iconic kiwi singer these days. Every gig the band play the best of all those iconic tracks we know and love as well as a collection of recently penned and possible future stadium sing-a-longs of tomorrow. Meticulously designed by Jordan himself from the ground up this band has just the one purpose...to bring Jordan’s blend of pop rock genius from the past, present and future… back to the masses!

Hand-picked from a wish-list of players Jordan wanted to work with the word went out, his fantasy starting line up were contacted and unsurprisingly they all signed up, there was no need to refer to the list of reserves…so, starting from the stage right part of the paddock…

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for The Jordan Luck Band

Releases

Not Only... But Also
Year: 2016
Type: Album

Other Reviews By Investigator

Racing - Album Review: Must Be The Moon
26 Oct 2022 // by Investigator
Must Be The Moon is the sophomore album from electro-rockers Racing. Boasting the talented line up of Ed Knowles and Sven Pettersen (The Checks), Daniel Barrett (Sherpa) and Izaak Houston (Space Creeps), it's not surprising that the band have achieved some notable success.
Read More...
Planet Hunter - Single Review: Humans of the Wild
15 Sep 2022 // by Investigator
Humans of the Wild is the first single from Wellington rock band, Planet Hunter, off their upcoming album Moscovium. I profess to not having heard of Planet Hunter before, they are self-described as having a small but dedicated following in Wellington's heavy rock scene.
Read More...
Voodoo Bloo - Album Review: The Blessed Ghost
15 Jul 2022 // by Investigator
Wellington Rockers Voodoo Bloo have released their second album The Blessed Ghost. This sophomore album follows on from the 2020 debut Jacobus.
Read More...
Crystalator - Single Review: Sludge
18 Mar 2022 // by Investigator
I have the pleasure of introducing THE new rock act hailing from Auckland, Crystalator. I'm listening to their debut single Sludge.
Read More...
Pass The Peas - Single Review: Too Much Touch
07 Dec 2021 // by Investigator
Right from the off Too Much Touch roars into life, Pass The Peas are back with a big sound and massive hooks... I'm hooked.
Read More...
Neverwoz - EP Review: The Elysian EP
18 Nov 2021 // by Investigator
Neverwoz - The Elysian EP, is the follow up to the 2018 Minor Words and Major Thirds album. The album was recorded towards the end of 2019 and the beginning of 2020 on the Kapiti Coast by Karl and Charlie Wootton (Merrin).
Read More...
Underscore - Single Review: Never Coming Back
02 Aug 2021 // by Investigator
Never Coming Back is the second single release from Auckland alternative rock band, Underscore. The relatively new band in town consists of; Jonathan Meyer - guitars/vocals, Hon Manawangphiphat - bass and Josh Johnston - drums.
Read More...
Jason Kerrison - Single Review: The Timing
22 Jun 2021 // by Investigator
Jason Kerrison, the prodigal pop rock son returns with the lead single from his upcoming debut solo album, The Timing. This is four years in the making and the (ahem) timing couldn't be better, released the day after becoming the inaugural winner of the Masked Singer NZ.
Read More...
View All Articles By Investigator

NZ Top 10 Singles

  • APT.
    ROSÉ And Bruno Mars
  • DIE WITH A SMILE
    Lady Gaga And Bruno Mars
  • BIRDS OF A FEATHER
    Billie Eilish
  • TASTE
    Sabrina Carpenter
  • I LOVE YOU, I'M SORRY
    Gracie Abrams
  • ESPRESSO
    Sabrina Carpenter
  • SAILOR SONG
    Gigi Perez
  • LOSE CONTROL
    Teddy Swims
  • A BAR SONG (TIPSY)
    Shaboozey
  • GOOD LUCK, BABE!
    Chappell Roan
View the Full NZ Top 40...
muzic.net.nz Logo
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report a ProblemReport A Problem