22 Dec 2024
UsernamePassword

Remember Me? | Join | Recover
Click here to sign in via social networking

PRINS - Gig Review: PRINS @ Dog With Two Tails, Dunedin - 31/07/2021

01 Aug 2021 // A review by darryl baser

Solo guy Alex Dykes opens up the evening using a kick drum trigger for a regular thump, an acoustic guitar, and a voice which is well-worn beyond his years. As he begins playing those who were hanging out in the cafe come through. He's got the making of a one man pop hit factory. His second song flows on from the first at a similarly quick tempo. He's a big fan of playing at about 140-160 bpm

Lyrically Dykes’ songs seem to be more about rhythm and melody, than any great sense of meaning. The third song seemed to be a bitter break up song featuring the words: "I pity the fool who falls in love with you." He seemed eager to impress tonight, and with a producer and polish Dykes could go far.

Molly Devine and drummer Maddy Parkins-Craig took to the stage. Molly's singing and electronic backing is being drowned out MPK's ride cymbal in the first song,

Rain is the third song of the set, and it’s obvious to hear her voice is hurting; it's definitely not up-to its usual brilliance, but she's still putting in a solid performance, being the professional she is.

Someone Like You is a charming love song which they deliver well. The crowd is swelling as their set progresses.

Before playing Call Me Up, she, with MPK providing a beat, schools the crowd of 30-50 on the dance moves which feature in the video. Most oblige and during the song and the venue looks like a Zumba class. Much fun and well-mannered frivolity, but yes time to give that wonderful voice a break my young friend.

Tonight is the last show of PRINS' Follow Me tour, and from the first song you can hear Alannah's voice is tired. Her full on or forget about it style of singing is fabulous to hear, but ‘belting’ night after night can get a bit much.

The PRINS band is a watertight and highly functioning unit, brought closer by touring, and they’re here to party.

All the ‘cool kids’ who stayed in the cafe have flooded through and from the second song all are up and dancing. Follow Me is a stone cold pop hit.

Tunes like Notion, Tell Me, 3am and Stay Away all have ‘banger’ quality, especially live when the band is clearly enjoying themselves. Each and every song could be a radio hit.

I Tried is another stunner which the band delivers so well, but again the hurt in her voice box is evident, as there are a couple of holes where notes should have been.

Alannah said; "I have incredible musicians on stage and I want to give them each a little moment," and so she left the stage and had a seat on the stairs which lead to the mezzanine above the stage for what's a massive introduction to Stay Away.

The tune Don't Say It, which PRINS released with Lee Mvtthews, has the band playing the drum and bass tune live. It’s the last song of the set, the band says their goodbyes, but the crowd’s chants of ‘one more song’ prompt a quick band discussion, before the band belts out Follow Me one last time before greeting fans and new-found friends. A fabulous end to the night and their tour.

Now Alannah, caring flamingo talking here, take some vocal rest, you've earned it.


Photo Credit: Andrew Mackay, Kea Photos
PRINS
Molly Devine

 

About PRINS

PRINS kicked off 2020 with a bang playing in The Edge NYE Festival in Hagley Park, Christchurch with a record audience of 22,000 people. Recently returning from Auckland where she played alongside International acts in Highlife’s sold out Sunsetters Festival, she’s gearing up for her much anticipated dance-pop EP which shows a brand new side to the PRINS we’ve already seen.

This Auckland born singer/songwriter, dancer, actor and model has spent the past few years establishing herself with live performance experience in New Zealand and has no intention of leaving the industry any time soon. A sultry powerhouse described as a mix between Duo Lipa and Amy Winehouse, PRINS is one to watch out for in 2020.


Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for PRINS

Releases

Life Is Better Now
Year: 2022
Type: EP
Magnetic
Year: 2020
Type: EP

Other Reviews By darryl baser

MEDaL - Album Review: Sequela
14 Dec 2022 // by darryl baser
Christchurch trio MEDaL are a combination of many years of New Zealand musical history. Singer and guitar slinger David Mulcahy was in JPSE and Superette, bass player John Billows has spent time with The Renderers and Dark Matter and drummer Mark Whyte is part of Into The Void.
Read More...
The Bobby Holidays - Album Review: At The Beach
13 Dec 2022 // by darryl baser
The Bobby Holidays' At The Beach opens with the song Jane, syncopation is to the fore with a great horn section blowing against bass, drums and guitar. The song has an up tempo happy summer vibe.
Read More...
Mad Cow - Single Review: Same Boat
01 Dec 2022 // by darryl baser
Same Boat is the latest single to be released Taranaki 3-piece Mad Cow. Mad Cow are mainstays of the New Plymouth have been around since the 1990’s in the North Island’s music scene, evolving from school band No Comment.
Read More...
The New Existentialists - EP Review: Last Days of the Internet
23 Nov 2022 // by darryl baser
It might seem like George D Henderson has been a part of the New Zealand music landscape for about as long as Keith Richards has been playing guitar. He’s been in the Flying Nun arena with The Puddle based in Dunedin.
Read More...
Nika - Single Review: Saviour Complex
03 Nov 2022 // by darryl baser
A song with an interesting title will always grab my attention, and the idea of people with a saviour complex has always fascinated me, so when the new song by Nika called Saviour Complex was offered to me to review I almost somersaulted. The song opens with a gently and alluring piano melody before Nika’s voice kicks in and from the first notes some vocal training is obvious.
Read More...
The RVMES - Single Review: Simple Things
05 Oct 2022 // by darryl baser
Oh My God. There are bangers then there’s this tune.
Read More...
VÏKÆ - EP Review: Love Games
25 Aug 2022 // by darryl baser
Veronika Bell, known to music fans as Vikae, has been composing and producing music for a good few years, and is gaining some crossover traction between the dance and pop worlds. While she writes many of her tunes on a piano, and can perform them beautifully with piano and her impressive voice, it is the dance-styled pop versions of her tune which have been garnering her acclaim.
Read More...
Mecuzine - Album Review: Locksmith Thief
21 Jul 2022 // by darryl baser
Now that’s a great way to open an album. Bruised and Broken is the first track of Mecuzine’s new album Locksmith Thief, and my god what an epic track to open their new record.
Read More...
View All Articles By darryl baser

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