4 Dec 2024
Tess Liautaud - Gig Review: Tess Liautaud @ Wine Cellar, Auckland - 4/05/2024
06 May 2024 // A review by LouClementine
Otautahi-based singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Tess Liautaud took to the stage of the Wine Cellar, a basement venue, on Karangahape Road, on an autumnal Saturday evening. Tonight was the Tamaki Makaurau show of her nine-date nationwide Gold Digger tour. She had been described as having a ‘graceful folk-country sound’ with some of my favourite female vocalists mentioned as comparisons, in reviews. The evening was unexpected because, for what I thought was a new artist, Liautaud gave an established artist’s performance. It wasn’t that the crowd were there to see her perform, we were also there to get to know her, to hear about her new songs and have them debuted.
Tamaki Makaurau was recently named as a City of Music by UNESCO. As a music journalist, I thought about what this meant. I decided it was the many venues that dot the central streets as well as the visiting local and international acts and the passion they bring. Sometimes there’s a big audience, sometimes only a few people. I hope this accolade means more will look to join in the live music experience. There are naysayers of course, but I would welcome them to an intimate venue like the Wine Cellar, with its sound engineer tucked to one side, and the coming and going of professional musicians, entertaining with energy, delivering their sound, collaborating and bringing us new music. If you experience it and if you support new music I think it will grow. The city needs its residents to enjoy live music as much as music needs its listeners. This gig was the perfect example of an artist at the early stages of their creative career, who exceeded expectations. If you find out a bit more about the artist, then you realise this is due to their lifelong engagement with music.
During the evening, Liautaud brought on a violinist and a banjo player. There were joyful duets, elaborate guitar solos and even a vibrant cover version. The tour celebrated the recent release of Liautaud’s single Gold Digger. In an interview in 2022, Liautaud described how she chose singles based on how it represented her. Gold Digger was upbeat with country style vocals and a splattering of rock guitar. It was evidence of a skilful songwriter, with influences from the likes of Sheryl Crow.
The cover was The Beatles One After 909, a jingly jangly early track from them. It was probably written in the late 50’s and it’s a favourite of mine. Liautaud’s version lit the place alive with its energy. It’s the sort of song you can barely sing, you have to shout. Highlights for the evening for me were her new tracks, Sleepless in Christchurch and Here Go The Lovers. I look forward to her upcoming releases. Tess Liautaud’s Gold Digger tour continues including shows in Wanaka, Dunedin and Golden Bay, join her and her excellent band of musicians.
Otautahi-based singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Tess Liautaud took to the stage of the Wine Cellar, a basement venue, on Karangahape Road, on an autumnal Saturday evening. Tonight was the Tamaki Makaurau show of her nine-date nationwide Gold Digger tour. She had been described as having a ‘graceful folk-country sound’ with some of my favourite female vocalists mentioned as comparisons, in reviews. The evening was unexpected because, for what I thought was a new artist, Liautaud gave an established artist’s performance. It wasn’t that the crowd were there to see her perform, we were also there to get to know her, to hear about her new songs and have them debuted. Tamaki Makaurau was recently named as a City of Music by UNESCO. As a music journalist, I thought about what this meant. I decided it was the many venues that dot the central streets as well as the visiting local and international acts and the passion they bring. Sometimes there’s a big audience, sometimes only a few people. I hope this accolade means more will look to join in the live music experience. There are naysayers of course, but I would welcome them to an intimate venue like the Wine Cellar, with its sound engineer tucked to one side, and the coming and going of professional musicians, entertaining with energy, delivering their sound, collaborating and bringing us new music. If you experience it and if you support new music I think it will grow. The city needs its residents to enjoy live music as much as music needs its listeners. This gig was the perfect example of an artist at the early stages of their creative career, who exceeded expectations. If you find out a bit more about the artist, then you realise this is due to their lifelong engagement with music.
During the evening, Liautaud brought on a violinist and a banjo player. There were joyful duets, elaborate guitar solos and even a vibrant cover version. The tour celebrated the recent release of Liautaud’s single Gold Digger. In an interview in 2022, Liautaud described how she chose singles based on how it represented her. Gold Digger was upbeat with country style vocals and a splattering of rock guitar. It was evidence of a skilful songwriter, with influences from the likes of Sheryl Crow. The cover was The Beatles One After 909, a jingly jangly early track from them. It was probably written in the late 50’s and it’s a favourite of mine. Liautaud’s version lit the place alive with its energy. It’s the sort of song you can barely sing, you have to shout. Highlights for the evening for me were her new tracks, Sleepless in Christchurch and Here Go The Lovers. I look forward to her upcoming releases. Tess Liautaud’s Gold Digger tour continues including shows in Wanaka, Dunedin and Golden Bay, join her and her excellent band of musicians.
Photo Credit: Taiga Semori
Tess Liautaud Photo Gallery
Dave Khan Photo Gallery
Ed Note: Our reviewer only attended during Tess Liautaud's set.
About Tess Liautaud
Her songs are easy listening, in that Jackson Browne, dreaming of Laurel Canyon, Americana sort of way, so it would make some kind of sense that she’s found a home on the east side of Otautahi, among the folk singers and the rock'n'rollers.
Together with her band (Adam Hattaway, Frankie Daly, Elmore Jones and Michael Kime) Liautaud creates a sound steeped in classic Wilco 'esque' guitar twang, good old honky tonk piano and big organ washes. This is music that will grow roots in your heart and lift you up, the way it is supposed to.
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Tess Liautaud
Other Reviews By LouClementine
Gig Review: Carb on Carb @ Wine Cellar, Auckland - 17/05/2024
19 May 2024 // by LouClementine
Carb On Carb took to the Wine Cellar stage in Auckland on Friday night to showcase their album Take Time which was released on the same day, 17 May, 2024. As soon as I heard this band I instantly thought they would be amazing live, and I wasn’t wrong.
Read More...
Gig Review: Bach Musica NZ @ Auckland Town Hall - 14/04/2024
15 Apr 2024 // by LouClementine
The historic setting of Auckland Town Hall, with its long and celebrated history of live music, was the ideal location for Bach Musica NZ. This was the first of a program of performances taking place throughout the year and bringing to the stage some favourite classical music pieces.
Read More...
Festival Review: The Others Way @ Auckland - 01/12/2023
02 Dec 2023 // by LouClementine
Music venue haven that Karangahape Road is, it’s the perfect location for a festival takeover. Stopping short of closing the main street The Others Way festival seeks to fill every venue, at times simultaneously, with music.
Read More...
02 Dec 2023 // by LouClementine
Music venue haven that Karangahape Road is, it’s the perfect location for a festival takeover. Stopping short of closing the main street The Others Way festival seeks to fill every venue, at times simultaneously, with music.
Read More...
Gig Review: Ebony Lamb @ Whammy Bar, Auckland - 10/11/2023
12 Nov 2023 // by LouClementine
Singer songwriter Ebony Lamb treated the tightly packed Auckland, Tamaki Makaurau crowd to a night of new music from her self-titled debut solo album. The gig was part of a seven-date Aotearoa tour which began October 27th, and finished in Paekakariki on Saturday, November 11th.
Read More...
Gig Review: Princess Chelsea @ Neck Of The Woods, Auckland - 19/10/2023
20 Oct 2023 // by LouClementine
Princess Chelsea began her international Everything Is Going To Be Alright tour, at Neck of the Woods in Auckland with a full house on Thursday 19 October. Bringing her 2022 album of the same title in its entirety to the stage, with her band Jasmine Balmer, Joshua Worthington-Church, David Harris, Joe Kaptein, Kate Tindall, and Simeon Kavanagh-Vincent.
Read More...
Gig Review: Clementine Valentine @ Whammy Bar, Auckland - 16/09/2023
16 Sep 2023 // by LouClementine
Clementine Valentine took to the Whammy stage in Auckland on the fourth and final date of their nationwide album release tour. Their new album entitled The Coin That Broke The Fountain Floor, was released through Flying Nun Records in August 2023.
Read More...
Gig Review: Sofia Machray @ Whammy Bar, Auckland - 19/08/2023
21 Aug 2023 // by LouClementine
Sofia Machray brought her Language of Flowers show, the last of a five-night nationwide tour, to Whammy Bar in Auckland. Machray has recently released her debut 6-track EP and tonight was the premier of her music for Tamaki Makarau.
Read More...
Gig Review: Tom Lark @ Whammy Bar, Auckland - 5/08/2023
07 Aug 2023 // by LouClementine
Tom Lark recently brought his Brave Star tour to Tamaki Makarau along with his band and support from K M T P. Lark has been absent from both touring and releasing music for a number of years.
Read More...
Most Viewed Artists
Latest Galleries
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
More Content on muzic.net.nz
Google Site Search
Custom Search
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 Problem
