English post-punkers Dry Cleaning returned to Auckland…this time to perform at the vintage Hollywood Avondale…a venue perfectly suited for their vintage vibe.
It’s a vibe that permeates their performances. I caught Dry Cleaning at Tuning Fork in 2022 and even at that smaller, newer room, they cast a spell over the crowd.
In 2022, frontperson Florence Shaw was sporting a slightly goth look, while this time around, I was getting a 60’s hippie vibe.
But the music remains pretty much the same.
Womb
But first, Womb. With the venue already well full of wine-sipping, ice cream dipping punters, the Forrester siblings quickly set the one for the evening.
Comprised of Charlotte (vocals/guitar), Haz (synths) and Georgette (drums) the trio’s brand of ambient dream-pop sounded just right.
And they managed to do what few opening acts can…make their own set feel too short.
Leave them wanting more, I say.
Dry Cleaning
“Happy Birthday to you”.
No, its not someone in the band’s entourage’s special day…it’s the beginning of Sliced By A Fingernail and Florence Shaw’s trademark dry, droll monotone quickly quiets the crowd.
Since we last saw them, Dry Cleaning have released their third album, Secret Love, produced by Cate Le Bon, who, will be performing her own music at The Powerstation on Friday night. Fans might want to check that out as well.
As I noted when I last saw Dry Cleaning, their live show is a very different listening experience to their recorded work.
On the stage, these folks are capable of making some real noise…mostly due to the guitar slinging of Tom Dowse, who also acts as part-time emcee, hand out very enthusiastic intros to his bandmates who are…Lewis Maynard on bass, Nick Buxton on drums and Josh Eggerton tucked away in the back on key and guitar.
In fact, one over-excited patron hollered out, “You guys rock!” after a rather rambunctious My Soul/Half Pint.
Dowse was also smitten with the vintage venue, particularly the stage which he informed us was “tilted forward” encouraging him to jump into the crowd at one point, until cooler heads prevailed.
He also detected the scent of “the devil’s lettuce” wafting in, but again, we all survived.
In fact we flourished.
My the time the band got to Converstion…song 19 or a 20-song show…they proved their mettle by jamming for a good 10 minutes and then leaving us with Hit My Head All Day.
“You make us feel very special”, confessed Florence.
That goes both ways.
Marty Duda
Click on any image to view a photo gallery by Ming Lyu:
Dry Cleaning:
Womb:
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