Both acts were accompanied by their bands and a packed Auckland Town Hall cheered every song. The event was part of the annual and much looked forward to, Elemental Nights. It was postponed from earlier in the year and this really only had the effect of increasing anticipation.

Country act Jenny Mitchell talked to the audience of her inspiration in her home town of Gore in the South Island and related her love of country music. She gave insights into the lyrics of her songs, some relating to growing up and making changes. The stand out for me was the track Trouble Finds A Girl. Mitchell discussed the creative collaboration that led to the writing of the track and the influence of ‘Me too’, an international movement giving victimised women a chance to have a voice through a collective protest. And it wasn’t just women who had been suffering in silence, many others found a platform for social injustice. The song is every inch a powerful declaration, dark and creative in its portrayal of an important objection to toxic culture, relevant to many. I applaud it.

Nadia Reid and the Auckland Philharmonic brought us soaring string sections, awesome piano accompaniments as well as some stripped back guitar tracks, which were an absolute delight. Opening with A Heart To Ride, Reid delivered an impactful performance with her delicate yet powerful vocals. Some might consider bringing an orchestra on tour might detract from the vocal performance but it instead strengthened each and every track in which the orchestra participated, stamping the memory of the evening in the minds of the audience. The crowd waited on tenterhooks as the night of songs wore on and we lived through this evocative and distinctive musical collaboration.

Highlights for me were Oh Canada. I heard Joni Mitchell at times, and that unearthly voice as an inspiration for Reid can only be a good thing. Get The Devil Out with the orchestra felt emotional, confessional and poignant - beautiful stuff. Reid covered Bridge Over Troubled Water, a soundtrack for the times and perhaps a nod to the difficulty that many artists have faced delivering live performances, which much surely be the pinnacle of all the hard work in the creative process of writing and recording.

We, the audience, too are a little more grateful for these types of very special events.

Photo Credit: Chris Zwaagdyk / Zed Pics
Nadia Reid Full Gallery
Jenny Mitchell Full Gallery

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