22 Dec 2024
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Gig Review: Dia De Los Muertos @ Underworld Tavern, Wellington - 02/11/2024

04 Nov 2024 // A review by Ayla Chamberlain


I walk into the Underworld Tavern and immediately see people with sugar skull makeup on and the stage set up with Day of the Dead decorations of skulls and flowers. Dia De Los Muertos is being celebrated tonight by Electric Tapestry, Ben McHardy (and band) and Voodoo Bloo.

Electric Tapestry are first up, and they are dressed as a Mariachi band, with Nick and Geoff donning skeleton face paint that illuminate their faces any time the light dims.

As they play their first couple of groovy songs the crowd grows as people are enticed downstairs from the upstairs area and start to move towards the stage. "Everyone hears about a toxic man, and I finally met one, so this song is about toxic masculinity", says Nick as the band play Lion's Breath.

Next up is Kaleidoscope which is my favourite song of their set as it is a fun little guitar ditty that builds up into an upbeat rocking track.

Nick says this next song about the first time, "but the first time at what" exclaims the Pennywise the Clown sitting behind me as we giggle, and Nostalgia Sick begins. Up until now the songs have still been quite cruisy but we have hit harder rock all of a sudden. Nostalgia Sick really highlights the 3 guitarists and 1 bass with some epic guitar riffs! And those riffs are living up to the name Electric Tapestry.

The final song Over My Shoulder had major 90’s rock vibes, but with kick ass guitars and drums of course. I really enjoyed Electric Tapestry’s sound, they were amazing at building their songs up to epic bits and even when there were technical difficulties with an amp they still sounded great. A very fun band to listen to and to quote their Facebook bio "sometimes you can dance to".

In-between sets there is a fun playlist of Mexican songs keeping the Dia De Los Muertos vibes going.

Ben McHardy and his band are up next, and Ben introduces his band, including their recent accolades, and states he picked them based on their kindness, which is sweet.

Ben has a smooth voice that is easy to listen to and his second song Sandy is catchy and has me singing along, "Sandy whisper in my ear and tell me how you'd like to disappear".

Wanting to see people’s smiles as he sings his song Smilezz That Aren’t Around, Ben asks everyone to take five steps towards him, to which the crowd obliges.

Now it is time for a new, never played at a show before song ??HBU?? (pronounced How Bout U) This song is upbeat, fun, and really highlights Ben's voice. I can’t help but think he sounds almost like if Michael Bublé sang funk rock. I loved ??HBU?? and will eagerly wait for its release.

A song about capitalism and working 9-5, Years Of Waiting is super funky with epic guitar riffs.
Now it's time for a cover song, dedicating this one to Dave and the Dirty Humans, Ben plays Banquet by Bloc Party (but four notes lower, he declares) and those who know it sing along.

I am loving Ben’s smooth voice and cruisy music, and Glass Eyed Witches doesn’t disappoint, starting with just the guitars it gets the crowd moving and highlights Ben’s ability to hit the higher notes.

Up until now the bands have been a bit more laidback, but now it is time for the final band, and I’m not sure the audience is ready for the louder, heavier sounds of Voodoo Bloo but I sure am!

As the band starts with the song Default it is hard hitting and gets the crowd's attention as people move back towards the stage.

After a few more short and sweet songs, one called Mystery Flesh pit national park really captures my attention as it highlights Rory’s enchanting voice, which even when singing about ‘rotting in hell and being a whore’ makes me want more.

Shame 7k is an epic song with huge drums and guitars. It is fun and fast, has the crowd really dancing and rocking out (there is even a headbanger) and is by far my favourite song of their set. If you have ever seen these guys live then you will know the wonderfulness that is guitarist Daniel, his stage presence and his hair! Rocking out, flailing, swinging around, are a few ways to describe how Daniel performs on stage, it is a delight to watch and during this song it is next level. 

Sadly, it is time for the final song of the night, and it is called MMA. The only way I could find to describe this song was: grunty guitars (especially in the intro) and hardcore drums! Fast. Fun. Loud. MMA has the crowd rocking out the hardest for the night and is a great way to end the show.

The crowd shouts "one more, one more!" but alas! Rory says his voice can't handle it these days so remember him by the last song’s goodness, of which there is no doubt we will.

Overall this gig was a fun night with a variety of artists, cool costumes, and extremely good vibes. 

 

Other Reviews By Ayla Chamberlain

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