She's ripping wings off of butterflies

They had already been to New Zealand once that year and on October 8th 2010, Paramore were back for another huge show. They had played a smaller venue last time they were here, but this time they were playing Vector Arena which is NZ's biggest venue. This concert was announced around the same time as a lot of other shows, like Metallica, so I didn't have the luxury of getting expensive seats. Therefore I was seated pretty far away from the actual stage (which is a place I'm not really familiar with) but it didn't bother me too much. A New Zealand band called The Jury & The Saints opened for Paramore, I didn't really know who they were and they weren't greatly impressive but there was an amazing part of their set where Hayley Williams comes out and plays drums for a bit of one of their songs! That made the whole set much better. Next to play were christian rockers Relient K, whose pop punk sound was really electric and made for a great show (I had a few friends there who were only there to see them). Relient K wrinkled my mind when they played a cover of Africa by Toto (which was a prominent feature in the season 2 premiere of NBC's Community). Finally Paramore took the stage and played a brilliant set. They had a really good show and their stage show was very impressive, even though I was so far away they all looked like insects. The brought out a couch in the middle of the show, which they all sat on to perform The Only Exception and other slower/acoustic songs. Overall it was a really good night and I was glad I got to see them that night, because it will probably be the last show they ever play in NZ.

Paramore w/ Relient K. 08/10/2010. Vector Arena, Auckland, New Zealand.

Where it all began...

Paramore

Hayley Williams

Paramore

Paramore - That's What You Get

Girls in stripper heels, Boys rolling in Maserati's

This concert was a part of an unusual couple of days in my musical life. I am now probably one of the few people who can claim that I saw Metallica and Lamb Of God (and fucking loved them) just days before going to an Adam Lambert concert. Yes, I was front row at the runner-ups Down The Rabbit Hole Tour in Auckland, New Zealand, only 3 days after headbanging my way through a nearly perfect Metallica/LoG show at Vector Arena. It is not a position most people find themselves in, but I always seem to find myself in contradicting situations like that. Getting front row was no problem really, the hardest part was dealing with all the screaming and squealing of his obsessive, female fans. There was no good opening act and the venue was a pretty average place, but the atmosphere completely made up for all that. Adam Lambert's show was a true spectacle, filled with glittery make-up, brilliant costumes and crazy hair. He is the essence of pop music, with super-catchy music that makes everyone want to move. He put on a real show, and everyone cheered like crazy when he would kiss bass player, Tommy Joe Ratliff. His setlist was masterfully crafted, it started with a real bang and was filled with bouncy and electric tracks, then he slowed everything down and played the more sombre songs from his album, like Soaked and Broken Open. His voice is so strong that those slower songs were really the highlight of his set, and then he built everything back up into party mode for the rest of the show. At the end of the show, my best friend and I (who were front row wearing Metallica and Lamb of God t shirts) were treated to an amazing surprise when guitarist Monte Pittman announced that in honour of Metallicas recent show, he convinced Adam to cover Enter Sandman! We were probably the only 2 people in the venue who truly appreciated how fucking cool that was. Adam read the lyrics off sheets of paper on the ground while Monte shredded away to the legendary song, giving his guitar pick directly to my friend after the song in honour of her t shirt. Now, Metallica and LoG still fucking rock more than anything, but seeing Adam was an amazing night and made even better thanks to Metallica.

Adam Lambert. 17/10/2010. Trusts Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand

Adam + Tommy

Adam Lambert

New Zealand Music Month 2011 - Part II

This is part II of my New Zealand Music Month tribute, it will be dedicated to all the slightly lesser known bands that are currently out there being awesome. I limited my first post about NZMM to only four bands because they are my absolute favourite New Zealand bands, but there are so many more that the rest of the world needs to know about.



LISA CRAWLEY

She is a charming songstress from Auckland who plays a beautiful mix of indie pop music. She is backed by her band, The Conversations, who feature a wide variety of instruments including trombone. Lisa is an extremely talented songwriter and vocalist with mesmerizing skilled on the piano, guitar, glockenspiel and many other instruments. She currently has 2 EP's out called Shoot The Night and Hello, Goodbye and Everything In Between, and she has also opened for Jools Holland and John Mayer. Currently recording her first full length album.

Best Songs: Brother, Back To You, These Friends Of Mine, Birds

TAINTED

A death/thrash metal band from Christchurch, these guys are one of our most brutal and technically proficient exports. I first saw them open for Iron Maiden back in 2009 and since then they have opened for such legendary acts as Metallica, Trivium, Unearth, The Black Dahlia Murder, Chimaira and Arch Enemy. They have become one of the best live acts in New Zealand metal with their dynamic energy and brutal sound which landed them a place in the line up for Big Day Out 2010. With 2 outstanding albums under their belt (The Awakening and Carved and Created) they are still a strong force to be dealt with on the NZ metal scene, leaving most NZ cities bruised, battered and desperate for more.

Best Songs: Beneath The Veneer, Say What You Mean, Tyranny, Scars

CAIRO KNIFE FIGHT

The most dynamic and explosive two-piece to come out of New Zealand ever. They play a unique style of rock that has numerous twists and turns that develop and evolve as their songs unfurl. Their live performance can only be described as hectic and intense, with Nick Gaffaney on drums, keyboard bass and vocals simultaneously, while sometimes operating the loop pedal to keep things interesting. He is supported on stage by the charismatic Aaron Tokona, whose infectiously rhythmic guitar playing is electric and yet, somehow sexual. These two set up their equipment to face each other on the stage so that they can build off of each other as the songs develop and grow. Always starting a gig on a suspense filled note, with long droning sounds of feedback and building to a destructive climax of rock brilliance. With a fantastic eponymous EP out now, they have opened for legendary bands like Queens Of The Stone Age, Foo Fighters and Them Crooked Vultures.

Best Songs: Big Face, The Happy Couple, This Is Love, All I Ever Wanted

OTHER HONOURABLE MENTIONS:


BEASTWARS
The Mint Chicks
Die! Die! Die!
The Dauntless
Cobra Khan
Nathan King
Ladyhawke
Goldenhorse/Kirsten Morrell
Liam Finn
Antagonist AD
Oilbarrons
The Transistors

+

Flight of the Conchords
Shihad
Split Enz

Check out New Zealand Music Month - Part I

Smite the sheperd and the sheep will be scattered

This is a sheep, made with willow charcoal and water-colour paints. He lives humbly somewhere in the majesty of New Zealand and has no idea that he is being uploaded to the Internet so people in countries all over the world can observe him. For privacy reasons, I will not be releasing the name of this specific sheep but for the purposes of this post, we will just refer to him as Case Study #222.301. Now I am fairly certain that #222.301's is really into heavy metal, with one of his favourite bands ever being Lamb Of God. I can only assume that is why he chose that particular title for this blog post, it is taken from the first metal song he ever loved, Vigil from the album As The Palaces Burn. #222.301 really enjoys their relentless musical brutality and Blythe's face-melting vocals....or maybe he just really appreciates the reference to his kind in their name? What ever the case may be, LoG is truly one of the best bands in the genre and a defining band of our generation. I had quite the surprise last time I went to visit #222.301 because he had found something in his mouth for me, it turned out to be the set list from Lamb Of God's 2010 supporting tour with Metallica! I have been in debt to that humble creature ever since, it was possibly the best show I have ever seen in my life. And now I will share it with you.

Lamb Of God (supporting Metallica). 14/10/2010. Vector Arena, Auckland, New Zealand

Lamb Of God Set List 2010

Randy Blythe

Randy Blythe

Lamb Of God - Randy Blythe

Robert Trujillo

Lars Ulrich

Kirk Hammett

James Hetfield

Metallica: Kirk Hammett, Robert Trujillo, Lars Ulrich & James Hetfield