Poneke’s Wiri Donna brought the rock to Ahuriri’s Paisley Stage, and as criminally undersized as the crowd may have been, I’m sure a few of them came away with a greater appreciation of the talents of this crew!

Similarly, support act First Reserve made a number of new fans, particularly in the form of JR and Lucy, our hosts at Paisley - JR saying that he wanted to get them back as soon as possible. They achieved this through their energetic power pop, driven by Harry Thomas’s often intricate riffs. Vocalist Ryan Connaghan (also on bass) displayed an impressive ability in the whisper-to-a-scream department, fully in line with the overall loud/quiet dynamic at play. Holding down this tight ship is drummer Jake Stokes. Together they delivered a powerful set of all-original material, while incorporating a possible rejoinder to the ancient question of “Who TF is Alice?”! Definitely an outfit to look out for, and maybe back soon in these parts if JR gets his way!

Wiri Donna then took to the stage, the audience having been suitably warmed up in expectation. The first few bars were subtle, but then exploded upon vocalist and guitarist Bianca Bailey’s entrance, her additional guitar bulking out the sound to one satisfyingly full. In the early stages, I was reminded somewhat of Siouxsie and the Banshees-a complex sound overlaid with impressively interesting vocals. Bianca’s vocals lead by way of their confident nature, not needing to be over-expressed to be noticed. She leads her merry band of troubadours through a set that betrays a lineage of influences from 30-40 years ago, touches of Britpop and grunge tinged by the previous decade’s guitar-led rock, a Smithsonian touch coming through here and there. These all blend to an interesting package, one that while wholly original still proudly displays its antecedents-and there’s not much wrong with that!

The band, consisting of Bianca plus James MacEwan on drums, Elliott Dawson on guitar, and Harrison Scholes (of the Scholes lineage that extends through much of Aotearoa’s musical landscape) providing bass and gurning, are an impressively tight unit, with a great cohesion about them. This complements Bianca’s winningly charming personality, one which, when it wasn’t threatening us with TMI, filled in the gaps with Dad jokes (thankfully there weren’t too many gaps!). All while at risk of toppling off her platform Docs...

If I’m honest, I don’t have a lot more to say-but not due to any failings on their part, in fact the opposite-I was enjoying it too much to be taking too many notes! The bottom line: another great performance in a venue that’s seen many in its time, one which can hold its head up proudly in such company, by two bands that deserves all the praise coming their way. Both of whom I fully intend to see again, when the stars align, and you should too!

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

• 
  LOST BiRD @ Space Academy, Christchurch - 15/12/2024
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  Just Janie @ Space Academy, Christchurch - 15/12/2024
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  Dream Chambers @ Meow Nui, Wellington - 14/12/2024
• 
  The Phoenix Foundation @ Meow Nui, Wellington - 14/12/2024

• 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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