29 Mar 2024
UsernamePassword

Remember Me? | Join | Recover
Click here to sign in via social networking

Jamie McDell - Gig Review: Jamie McDell @ The Tuning Fork, Auckland - 4/5/2018

06 May 2018 // A review by ShelleySketch
On Friday Jamie McDell released her new album Extraordinary Girl and last night she celebrated the release with an intimate show at the Tuning Fork. This show was also the first to kick off her Extraordinary Girl NZ Tour.

As I arrived at the Tuning Fork, the first thing I noticed was how part of the crowd was sat at the tables and the younger crowd was sat on the floor up by the stage. The crowd on the floor seemed very excited, with the first row of girls adorning their Extraordinary Girl shirts they had just purchased. I took my place up amongst them.

The Miltones took the stage and the crowd at the back moved forward, however the crowd that were sat down remained seated. It was an interesting experience but also quite nice at the same time. There’s something different about just relaxing and enjoying the music. Mildly also acknowledging it was a first for them. The Taite Auckland Live Best Independent Debut award winners came on stage amidst some great lighting and dived straight into their set. The Miltones energy was there from the start as the band made use of the space they had. They all looked like they were so happy to be here. At first the set seemed like it was going to be leaning towards more upbeat, country-style tracks, which isn’t a bad thing, but then vocalist Milly Tabak slowed it down to a couple of track that seemed more slow and soulful. Keyboardist Guy Harrison seemed to be feeling it a lot and even added more to the performance with his backing vocals and his addition of a trumpet. The band has grown since I last saw them, now consisting of Guy Harrison on keys, Chris Marshall on bass, Tom Broome on drums and Liam Pratt still on guitar duties. But the newest members seemed to just amplify their performance. Despite the occasional bit of bad feedback through the speakers/monitors, the band played a great set that the crowd clearly enjoyed.

But then the time finally came that people had come to see, a recently absent Jamie McDell was back with new music and on the stage in front of a NZ crowd. At this point the whole crowd stood and packed in closer to the stage. There were a few young girls up the front who looked star struck and looked as though they were experiencing their first gig. This clearly proved that Jamie appeals to all ages in some way. Jamie took the stage in what looked to be a beautiful floral pantsuit. Her and her 4-piece band kicked off her set with recent single from her new album, Tori. Quite a bit of the crowd were singing along. But obviously she couldn’t not play the classics that everyone loves, getting the crowd to stop and clap to help intro Dumb.

Jamie seems to be quite the comedian as well, telling the crowd All I Need was about only needing her Subaru Legacy. Then as she tuned her guitar after the song she made jokes about how she’s tuning and she’s a “proper musician”. That followed with “Does anyone know who Jimmy Buffet is?”. It turns out quite a few people did. She then told the crowd her next song Paint on a Sign was written in Nashville about missing the ocean and it’s what she calls her Jimmy Buffet song. Her next track Five Years from Now was dedicated to the girls doing merch for them. But Jamie seemed excited to play Wicked Man which she couldn’t record with a band and she believes this is how it should sound.

Jamie and her band may not have been going crazy around the stage, but the music really spoke for itself. The band then departed the stage as she performed Extraordinary Girl by herself before Cass, Nick and Tom joined her on stage to perform another beautiful acoustic track.

Jamie's vocals were very powerful and didn’t falter throughout the night. As she went on to play Slow Dream Boat she got the crowd to sway. Nick Dow then played the violin as well and it was a beautiful extra element. When Jamie addressed the crowd, there was no doubting that occasionally her voice sounded a bit more country than usual. It turns out that while recording in Nashville, Jamie developed another personality called Jemima. Jemima wanted to party with us and kicked off the track Lady in Waiting. But during the performance Jamie announced it was going to get strange and said she wants to teach us some line dancing. After a quick briefing she jumped into the crowd next to me and the whole crowd line-danced together as the band continued to play. It was a very fun experience and the crowd maintained it a bit longer after Jamie returned to the stage.

Tami Neilson was spotted in the crowd and Jamie thanked her as well, for being a part of the album before telling the crowd she is an “Extraordinary Girl”. Then came a huge throwback Life in Sunshine which Jamie told the crowd gave her huge commercial success and made her quite a bit of money, which is funny considering it’s about getting sunburnt feet. Jamie played a short encore and thanked The Miltones before finally ending her set with an old song, Crash. After she departed the stage she went back by her merch to meet anyone and everyone. It was a nice way to end a great show.

Jamie McDell has returned with a bang and I’d have to say we are happy to see her. There’s no mistaking that her voice and personality are really going to continue to push her into further success. It was a great, intimate show and I recommend trying to catch her on tour and listening to her new album. Either way, you won’t be disappointed.


Review written by Shelley Te Haara
 

About Jamie McDell

Jamie McDell was brought up in a musical family and started writing songs from a young age. Winner of Best Pop Album at the 2013 New Zealand Music Awards.

"If you were going to put money on Kiwi music's "next big thing", Jamie McDell is your best bet... her homemade videos have turned her into a YouTube sensation, leaving industry heavyweights predicting global success for the beach-loving girl from Mangawhai." - View, The Sunday Star Times.

"Jamie McDell's cover [of One Direction's 'One Thing'] reminds us of Jewel. And that's a good thing!" - Perez Hilton

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Jamie McDell

Releases

Jamie McDell
Year: 2022
Type: Album
Extraordinary Girl
Year: 2018
Type: Album
Ask Me Anything
Year: 2015
Type: Album
All That I Wanted
Year: 2012
Type: EP
Six Strings And A Sailboat
Year: 2012
Type: Album

Other Reviews By ShelleySketch

ABRZY - EP Review: Night Fall
11 Jul 2018 // by ShelleySketch
After interviewing ABRZY, I knew I had to be the one to review his brand-new EP Night Fall. This short EP consists of three tracks; his most recent single Top Down, which has been reviewed here, and two new previously unreleased tracks Night Fall kicks off with the enterprising track, Rock Your Body.
Read More...
Times x Two - EP Review: Late Night Legacy
26 Jun 2018 // by ShelleySketch
Times x Two have been somewhat of a staple in the New Zealand festival scene for a while, but they have now stepped up and are showing NZ just how big they can be with the release of their new EP Late Night Legacy. The EP cover art is strong and regal, with Cader and Zee against a rich red background; somewhat of a reflection of the objective of the EP itself, as there are some solid tracks that are sure to blow up.
Read More...
Thomston - Single & Video Review: Acid Rain
25 Jun 2018 // by ShelleySketch
Thomston has been rather absent from the public eye lately but decided to surprise us by releasing a new single and video for Acid Rain.  The single cover art has somewhat a very retro feel, thanks to the clothing choices of a metallic button up with cream pants used in the image.
Read More...
Janine - Album Review: 99
12 Jun 2018 // by ShelleySketch
Kiwi songstress Janine has been hustling hard since jumping overseas and it seems to be paying off. After releasing a few singles in the lead up, her debut album 99 is finally here.
Read More...
Gig Review: Alien Weaponry @ Galatos, Auckland - 02/06/2018
05 Jun 2018 // by ShelleySketch
It’s a damp night, it was 8pm and the doors opened. The crowd began to pack in and I’ll admit there was more than I expected.
Read More...
Seth Haapu - Single Review: New Wave
03 Jun 2018 // by ShelleySketch
In his first release since Volume II in 2107, Seth Haapu returns with his beautiful new singe New Wave. I’ve noticed Seth sticks to a theme of nature that has been a part of his previous releases and is a part of who he is.
Read More...
Mitch James - Single Review: 21
03 Jun 2018 // by ShelleySketch
With his most recent single release in 2017, Mitch James has returned with a beautiful acoustic track entitled 21. The music is a simple accompaniment of a piano and a guitar, with what sounds like a finger snap or clap.
Read More...
Gig Review: Josh Leys @ Mt Eden Village Centre, Auckland - 18/05/2018
02 Jun 2018 // by ShelleySketch
As part of NZ Music Month, Auckland local Josh Leys played an intimate show at Mt Eden Village Centre. The atmosphere made me feel a bit like I was at a school dance.
Read More...
View All Articles By ShelleySketch

NZ Top 10 Singles

  • WE CAN'T BE FRIENDS (WAIT FOR YOUR LOVE)
    Ariana Grande
  • BEAUTIFUL THINGS
    Benson Boone
  • END OF BEGINNING
    Djo
  • LOSE CONTROL
    Teddy Swims
  • TEXAS HOLD 'EM
    Beyonce
  • STICK SEASON
    Noah Kahan
  • PRAISE JAH IN THE MOONLIGHT
    YG Marley
  • CARNIVAL
    Kanye West And Ty Dolla $ign
  • SATURN
    SZA
  • LOVIN ON ME
    Jack Harlow
View the Full NZ Top 40...
muzic.net.nz Logo
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report a ProblemReport A Problem