A Halloween themed gig with dress-up encouraged and the chance to be in a music video? It was a no-brainer that I attended Danica Bryant’s Halloween themed Acid single release show at Valhalla!
The opening act was singer-songwriter and Waiata artist Lucy Summerfield, who has a beautiful voice that was highlighted by it being only her and her acoustic guitar for the first four songs. The audience was captivated as she seamlessly sang songs in both English and Te Reo Maori. Lucy’s songwriting is emotional and heartfelt, and she made sure the crowd knew what each song was about (shoutout to Mr Campbell and his hard English assignment for the Mixed Signals inspo).
In particular, Lucy described each Waiata for us so we could understand the lyrics, Hurihia was written in Maori because she couldn’t find the words in English for her feelings, and another was specifically for a kaumatua who had lost his wife.
The second half of her set she was joined by talented Cello player Joanna Dann, which added a layer of intensity to the already deep songs. I think this was a great way to start the show as Lucy’s voice and style compliment Danica’s sound perfectly.
Danica and her band get on stage, Danica is dressed as a playboy bunny, bassist Nat Bennett and Drummer Tyler Blythe are both dressed as magicians and they get straight into the first song Libra, which excites the crowd as they dance and sing along.
After playing her classic Counting Clover, Danica plays her first cover of the night, the controversial Ur So Gay by Katy Perry, declaring that she is taking it back and making it less offensive (and ironic since she doesn’t like boys). The song ends with the lyrics ‘and you don’t even like…. PENIS! Which the crowd happily shouted out, much to Danica’s delight.
We get to hear a slower song than her usual upbeat hits called Old Chocolate which is on her next album. The crowd quietens as we are lost in her soothing voice and the song ends in an amazing instrumental.
Admitting her love for DC character Harley Quinn and that this next song is about her, they start playing my personal fave Tunnel Of Love which highlights the range of Danica’s vocals from higher notes in the chorus, to more dulcet tones in the verses. It is made even better by the fact that it mentions sailors and I am dressed as a sailor.
Second cover for the night is Chappelle Roan’s Red Wine Supernova and we are told to sing along since we will all know the words, which we do! There’s a line that says ‘I heard you like magic, I've got a wand and a rabbit’ that is made funnier by the choice of outfits by Danica and the band, which we are told was not intentional as they were planned months ago. The crowd is hyped, having fun, and ready for the main event.
It is now time to film for the music video of sapphic Halloween anthem Acid, and people are encouraged to move to the front if they want to be filmed. We are instructed to grab test tubes filled with shots of Fanta, yes it was really Fanta, and to drink them when Danica starts singing. Then after our shots we must look like we are suddenly hyped and having the time of our lives, which admittedly was not hard to do as we were all having fun.
The song starts, we take our shots, and the party starts. As this is the debut of Acid but there have been snippets of it all week in Danica’s Instagram promos, a few of us start singing along in the chorus which is cool to see. Acid is a really fun, quirky song and I can’t wait 'til Danica drops it (pun intended) on October 30th.
We are told it is now time for the “last song” and definitely not the second to last as they play Dizzy, but everyone is expecting there will be another song and so chants of ‘encore!’ and ‘one more song’ erupt as Dizzy ends.
Ending out the night is the original Halloween song from Danica and an absolute classic Ready To Bite which has everyone singing along, dancing, and wishing the night wasn’t over.
The good vibes and costumes combined with the amazing music made for an epic night and as always I am left wanting more of Danica Bryant live.
“Deliciously sweet yet shockingly bitter” (Under The Radar), Danica Bryant is no ordinary songwriter. A pop-folk musician with a gritty rock edge, her songs sink their teeth into intense topics from celebrity culture and mental health, to gender dynamics and body possession. “All hard guitar and pain-filled howl” (The Hook NZ), this woman bites back.
Bryant’s career boasts national accolades from Smokefree Rockquest and Play It Strange, mentorship with Kiwi legend Bic Runga, and a support slot for Elton John on his 'Farewell Yellow Brick Road' tour. Her 2020 debut EP Cider landed her a placement in APRA’s prestigious Songhubs course, whilst follow-up singles Heart Eyes and Ready to Bite saw her introduction to the NZ Hot Singles Chart.
With her 2022 sophomore EP Ego Death, Danica Bryant delivers bombastic pop production with lyrical force and an attitude like no other. “Venomous” yet “passionate” (Ambient Light), “cynical but emotional” (NZ Musician), it is clear Danica Bryant’s inventive sound, personal lyrics, and rich vocals make her a treat for every season.