Meow was humming on Thursday night as the locals awaited two Auckland bands and a Wellingtonian act to entertain them. Rock and roll legends Dead Favours, on tour for their second six-track EP Riffing and Yelling Part 2 (or the second part of their second album if you want to think about it that way) were headlining, bringing with them pop-punks Ekko Park. Starting the night was local act Voodoo Bloo, returning after a small hiatus from the local circuit.

Voodoo Bloo have a unique sound made up of intense drumming from Jackson Kidd, bumping hypnotic basslines from Oli Cass, the heavily effected and wild lead guitar playing of Daniel Maslen, combined with the baritone of Rory McDonald. Altogether, it’s a sound that could be described as punk, but more heartfelt, perhaps noise-pop, but grittier. An intense opening band, nonetheless. Guitars were being thrown around and the night was only just starting.

Ekko Park took the evening in a different direction, leading toward more sing-a-long songs rather than confessional expressions. The band, led by Joe Walsh (no relation to an Eagle) are now veterans of the New Zealand rock landscape, having toured in Europe and received heavy radio play in countries such as Italy and other countless radio stations across the globe. With their easily hummable choruses, it might be easy to see why; but notwithstanding the catchiness, below the veneer are snarled vocals and occasionally crunchy guitar lines interspersed with technically flawless drumming of Nick Douch.

The band has a new guitarist, Jessie Booth (from She Loves You, since I last saw the band, and filling in just for this night, a new bassist covering for Bryan Bell. Despite this, the fill-in bassist played great and the band brought their professional brand of emo-tinged punk rock to the Meow stage.

Finally, Dead Favours came to complete the night. Playing songs from their now wide catalogue (an EP and two albums, sort of) the band played with a wild abandon one second, then pulled it all in a moment later for precise riffing. Bands such as Queens of the Stone Age came to mind more than a few times during their performance. Guitarist Kyle Wetton and bassist Alex Ferrier played support to the crazier antics of frontman Jared Wrennall and drummer Charlie Smith.

Throughout their set, Jared taunted the crowd between songs, challenging them to headbang, to dance, to slide. The audience gladly accepted the challenge and a near constant movement of bodies glided over the polished marble floors of Meow. The band played their unmistakable brand of mesmerizing rock n’ roll, never letting energy levels drop.

Finally, with excess sweat making both the mosh pit and crowd somewhat of a hazard, Dead Favours wished their very happy fans a good night.

Photo Credit: Nicholas E. Clark
Dead Favours Gallery
Ekko Park Gallery
Voodoo Bloo Gallery

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