Week 2 at the NZ International Arts Festival

I updated you last week as to my first week at the NZ International Arts Festival - with links to the reviews I wrote. So it's time now for week two.

Well, it kicked off for me last Sunday with Irya's Playground, a Swedish indie-pop/rock band who were already here to play another show. This is a time-honoured tradition of the festival crew and a clever tactic - otherwise known as laziness. I wanted to like Irya's Playground because I had heard this song and thought they might be good to see live - but no. The band was not very good (except for the drummer, who was both a brilliant showman and a creative thinker behind the kit).

See here for the full review of Irya's Playground.

Tuesday night was a lot better with Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra. I have been a fan of these guys since they released the album Who Is This America? So in a sense I knew what to expect - and was hoping to be thrilled with some Fela Kuti-aping Afrobeat. I was not disappointed. And it was great to see the audience ignoring the rigid seating arrangements and flooding the aisles to party with the band - even ending up on stage with the group at one point. Some idiot tried to grab the microphone and freestyle; fortunately that lasted seconds.

The full review of Antibalas can be read here.

And then to Wednesday night - time for Don McGlashan's gig - billed as Don McGlashan & Friends. Don played the first half solo, overusing a loop pedal that he presumably got a deal on from Liam Finn. In the second half it was nice to see David Long (also ex-Mutton Birds). But it was a bit too nice seeing Don's kids helping him with songs. And Jenny Morris sounded awful (making me pleased I missed her weekend solo show). Oh well, McGlashan is at every second festival (similar to the tactic that got Irya's Playground to perform) so I'm sure he'll get it 100 per cent right next time. I have really enjoyed previous festival shows by him.

To read the full review of Don McGlashan click here.

Thursday night saw the first of two shows by Calexico. I was excited to see them play as I have missed them on their previous visits to New Zealand. They didn't disappoint - but I couldn't get as into it as some of the crowd. And it really would have been better suited to a non-festival performance. The band should have been up at the San Francisco Bath House where people could stand, dance, have a drink.  Anyway, I'm glad I saw them and couldn't fault the musicianship.

See here for the full review of Calexico.

So that was week two for me - I missed the weekend's events due to the Auckland trip to see the two gigs you read about in yesterday's posts.

I see the issue this week is not the seating - but rather the booking fees. Well, that's no surprise. They're now sadly a part of buying tickets to gigs. Ghastly revenue-collecting that it is. But we talked about that already here.

So - week three brings with it some good gigs (hopefully). There's the subject of my earlier post today: Karsh Kale doing Enter the Dragon. There's a Johnny Cash tribute (which could go either way) and there's also St. Vincent. I like the look of her live - especially after seeing this clip.

And I'll also be seeing The Swell Season.

So that'll be the final week of the festival - I'll let you know how it goes.

Meanwhile, what have you seen at this year's festival? Did you see any of the same shows I saw last week? Were you underwhelmed or blown away? Or both? And were you tricked by those pesky booking fees?

Click here to see what is left at the NZ International Arts Festival.

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GeorgieGirl   #1   11:38 am Mar 17 2010

I saw "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea" last week. I was hauled along by a friend at the last minute so I didn't have any expectations and it turned out to be a really great show. The asthetic was very cool and the satirical, dry humour hit just the right spot for me. I don't know if it's still playing but I'd recommend it to anyone.

I do agree with you about the seating, Simon - I wouldn't have wanted to be any taller than I am at 5'10 - but I rather liked the festival bar set up. It was a pleasant surprise to see that the drinks aren't completely overpriced.

Stu as "Stu"   #2   03:43 pm Mar 17 2010

St Vincent reminds me of Leila Adu... now there is someone that I'd love to see the Arts Festival enticing to perform.

Simon Sweetman   #3   10:35 pm Mar 17 2010

@ Stu as "Stu" - Leila Adu interview coming to BOTT soon - and just got her brand new album (vinyl) yesterday...I believe she played (or is playing?) Akld and ChCh but not Wgtn...

Stu as "Stu"   #4   12:10 pm Mar 18 2010

St Vincent's not reminding me of Leila Adu at all today... but I'm glad she did yesterday. Was pleasant to be dipping back into her sounds for the first time since August 2003. i remember that month well - lots of "Being There", "Kid A" and "Dig a Hole".

Looking forward to the interview...

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