Christchurch City Council's Winter music festival, Go Live!, is now in its fifth year. This was my first time attending, but I did chat with a couple of folk who both suggested that it was "the best one yet". I'll take their word for it, because this was indeed a fantastic night, genuinely one of the best times I've had at a live music show...well, in my life, really.

It helped that I had the company of a friend, who was happy to follow my schedule of acts I'd planned out. It helped that I bumped into a lot of cool people, some of whom I've not seen in ages. But mostly, it helped that everything about the evening was brilliant. There were four main stages, and a mezzanine area above the entrance area. Navigating around the various areas was simple and quick. The whole evening seemed to run like finely crafted clockwork. Some excellent sound and lighting engineers made each performance sound and look amazing.

The first artist I saw was Lee Martin, who was on the mezzanine floor, performing above the arriving throng of attendees. I imagine it may have been a challenging performance, as people sought out the stages, bought drinks, found their friends, and headed off in many different directions. However, Lee's grace and class shone through as she performed, her beautiful voice and her acoustic guitar accompanied by a saxophonist, who was also a talented player. Next, off to the Green Stage to see The Wax Birds. One acoustic guitar, two voices, all superb. Their music draws on a rich tradition of folk music, and the attentive crowd were very appreciative of their sweet and soulful vocals, with harmonies to die for.

After everything I've heard about them, I simply had to go see Red Weekend (pictured above), and I'm so glad I did. I only caught two and a half songs - one of those, a rip-snorting cover of AC/DC's Whole Lotta Rosie - and let me tell you, there's a truckload of Rock & Roll talent tucked in behind those clean cut, fresh-faced visages. These boys absolutely crushed it, the crowd in the Blue stage room loved them. If you're in Christchurch, next time these lads are playing, go see them. And the next. 

Speaking of next, it was then off to the Gold stage, with considerable anticipation. I've been hearing lots of good things about Left Or Right for a number of years now, and I quickly saw why an acquaintance declared that they're his favourite Kiwi band, in fact even just thinking about them whilst writing, I've felt compelled to look them up on dirty old Spotify, and chuck them on the stereo.  Astonishingly good vocals, right off the bat. Sublime harmonies, riding over their unique musicality. These guys are just an amazing experience, you have no idea what they're going to do from one moment to the next. In the second song, when guitarist Callum Hampton picked up a trumpet and played it over the bass and drums, there was a huge reaction from the crowd, a bloke sitting near me screamed with joy at the musical masterfulness on display.

Then it was back to the Blue stage for Hawaiian Maiden, where 60's Surf Rock meets Punk, and falls madly in love. This is a collective of massive experience and talent, the members all boasting membership in a plethora of great Christchurch bands. Tonight was their first performance in 4 years, but you'd never have guessed. Slick and slinky, boisterous and bouncy, and tight as you like. Nothing quite like watching a couple of badass punk guitarists playing along with trumpet and sax. The crowd clearly agreed. A true-blue Kiwi party band.

Back to the Green stage, this time for Midwave Breaks, a guitar/drums duo. They're clearly highly rehearsed, with a big, punchy sound. Their set was quite diverse in feel, and Bruce Conlon has a great voice. They came to rock out, and rock out, they did. I couldn't stay for their whole set... The Bats (pictured above) were on the Gold stage, at the same time. I'm stoked that I made that choice, they were utterly spellbinding. We were lucky to get seats, the room was almost full. I could make all sorts of comparisons with things that age well, but suffice it to say, some things truly do get better with age. I've not seen them play in a long time, but they'd lost none of their magic. Gorgeously written and performed songs, a true delight.

Finally, one of the biggest treats of the night... a reunion of Loves Ugly Children!! One of Christchurch's most beloved bands of the 90's, these guys made a huge impression on me in my late teens. I thought, and still think, that they're some of the coolest rock cats to walk the streets of our fair city. I had intended to say that tonight was like they'd never been away... but it was even better than that. They were pumped to be performing, and it was palpable. Simon McLaren a source of boundless energy, vocals on point, viciously attacking his guitar almost as if he hated it. Bassist/vocalist Angela 'Floss' Leslie hasn't aged a day, and still has all the powerful presence of their heyday, albeit accompanied by a beaming smile for most of the set, often professing her joy at the occasion over the mic. Jason Young was a powerhouse on the drums, with his thunderous double-kick work, and tasty, tasty playing. It was like being hit by a wall of sound, it was all encompassing, monstrous, and raw. I know that things like commitments and physical location play a huge factor in these decisions... but guys, please, PLEASE do some more shows, you were so gods-damned good. The best possible way to round out the evening.

An unforgettable night, I had a truly excellent time. My only regret is that I couldn't see all of the acts, i missed out on Tealskie, Imperial April, Transistors, Phoebe Vic, PRINS, 1 Drop Nation, and Somebody Do Something. Holy Vader's Fist, what a line-up.

Fingers crossed that the good folk at the council who organized this event invite me back to review next year's. I loved the diversity of the acts, and they were all more than worthy of being on the bill. This will be hard to top... but something tells me they'll top it anyway. Bring it on, I say.

Photo Credit: Aaron Lee Photography for Go Live! Festival

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