Ahuriri’s Paisley Stage was the setting for the Looking for a New Planet tour appearance of Black Comet, Laughton Kora’s ensemble of funky rock monsters, and the Comet took in its trail a whole new body of fans! Introductory duties fell to Willsy and Friends, the elastic combo I’ve previously mentioned in these pages. Weaving sinuously through a set of always tight jams, that defied genre labels, while touching bases in funk, rock, jazz and reggae, they displayed once more their status as Hawkes Bay’s best kept secret. Such is their originality that it’s often hard to pick whether a particular song is a cover or not, their wealth of original material standing up well alongside covers such as Fleetwood Mac’s Green Manalishi, and all combining to be a near-perfect introduction for the bitches’ brew of sound that is Black Comet. 

The stage having been set to a suitable temperature, Black Comet proceeded to blaze a trail, in front of what Laughton stated to be ‘the best house of the tour’. Starting with a medley of Lenny Kravitz tunes, it quickly became very clear how the night would go! Living up to this promise, the band proceeded to deliver a set that would’ve done Mr K proud, played with palpable enthusiasm and enjoyment. The interspersing of movie dialogue added additional interest to the sonic palette, while also showing that there’s a degree of thought and planning going in to the creative process-a bit more than “let’s play our stuff”, at least!

It’s also obvious that there’s a message in this music, with uplifting anthems aiming to increase the positive vibrations. This is a band with a sense of purpose beyond just filling the floor (although they covered off that base particularly well), with a care and concern for their fellow earth-dwellers that’s inspiring. But at the same time, happy to be here doing what they do, as evidenced by a truly joyful rendition of Bobby Brown’s My Prerogative. This sense of enjoyment carried through the entire set, exemplified by Laughton’s statement towards its end that “We’re throwing everything we’ve got at you, because we love you!” Quite the love-in all around really.

Winding towards the end with what was introduced as “Old school, grab your partner time” saw the classic I’d Rather Go Blind leading in to a final full track that was admitted as “Not even knowing the name of it yet!”, which segued impressively in to a brief tribute to Thriller. And with that, the night was over, Black Comet having caught a new legion of fans in its tail, looking in the heavens for portents of its next appearance! Thanks BC!!

• 1
  Head Like A Hole
• 2
  Horror Story
• 3
  Fraser Ross
• 4
  Fur Patrol
• 5
  Michelle Rounds
• 6
  L.A.B.
• 7
  The Boondocks
• 8
  Late to Chelsea
• 9
  Springloader
• 10
  Baconfoot

• 
  Nadia Reid @ Loons, Lyttelton - 16/11/2024
• 
  Pull Down The Sun @ Franks Bar, Whanganui - 15/11/2024
• 
  Elidi @ Franks Bar, Whanganui - 15/11/2024
• 
  Infinity Ritual @ Franks Bar, Whanganui - 15/11/2024

• 1
  APT.
  ROSÉ And Bruno Mars
• 2
  DIE WITH A SMILE
  Lady Gaga And Bruno Mars
• 3
  BIRDS OF A FEATHER
  Billie Eilish
• 4
  TASTE
  Sabrina Carpenter
• 5
  I LOVE YOU, I'M SORRY
  Gracie Abrams
• 6
  ESPRESSO
  Sabrina Carpenter
• 7
  SAILOR SONG
  Gigi Perez
• 8
  LOSE CONTROL
  Teddy Swims
• 9
  A BAR SONG (TIPSY)
  Shaboozey
• 10
  GOOD LUCK, BABE!
  Chappell Roan

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