Double Parked dived into NZ music month with their first headline show Return of the Froth at Galatos in Tāmaki Makaurau. The show delivered frothy alt-rock tunes and boundless energy.
Known for their lively energy and genre-bending indie Surf Rock, they’ve released several singles and EPs, including the recent tracks Living Room Floor and Leopard Print Coat, transporting listeners to vibrant summer sunsets on the beach.
Kicking off the night was Bliss, a five-member band from the Hibiscus Coast, describing their sound as alternative Rock drawing influence from vintage Rock to modern Surf/Psych and everything in-between.
Exuding artistic originality and rhythmic passion, Bliss was formed in the summer of 2019 by frontman Harry LeChermiant, Oliver Wallace-Pram lead guitar, Visko Breyers drums, Grant Heyns rhythm guitar and Evan Fairgray bass.
Pearl warmed up the stage. An unreleased song by Bliss that created the perfect atmosphere to dance to. As the band played their first chords the crowd was already dancing and head bobbing to the beat of the
drums.
Groovy visuals displayed behind the stage complemented the music, ranging from figurative line drawings to vivid blue waves and sunset pinks tones.
Bliss played an impressive number of unreleased tunes including the set’s finale Feel which sent the crowd cheering.
A vintage remnant sound featuring saxophone, emotive and charismatic vocals sure to resonate whilst making you want to dance at the same time.
Galatos had double parked drink specials running throughout the night with friends and music enthusiasts packing the space to the brim.
Lights dimmed, and Aotearoa’s national anthem signalled Double Park’s kick-off, adding nostalgia and reference to the beginning of an important and official kiwi event.
The crowd went wild welcoming DP onstage as one by one, band members picked up their instruments and played a dynamic rhythmic
instrumental into Leopard Print Coat.
Double Parked have an undeniable force on stage. Each band member weaves their charged energy and musical craftsmanship into their stellar performance, providing an infectious energy and the perfect atmosphere
to dance to.
With each instrument and vocal performed in synergy, the audience received their passion and mirrored the energy, increasing and increasing as the night went on.
Midway through the show, the DP boys cover The Dog Days Are Over by Florence & the Machine, absolutely carrying the song with their energy. The audience belted back the lyrics and the dog days are
gone!!! was heard bouncing off the walls.
As the energy surged high, the ground was shaking from all the dancing. Speakers were swaying from side to side, and now I understand why they’re secured with bungee cords!
The set finished with Dawny, sending the whole atmosphere into a crescendo.
An encore was demanded followed by the beat to Feel Good Inc. by the Gorillaz.
To everyone’s great surprise, a man in a gorilla suit came upon stage and began dancing along!! It was amazing. Lead singer Tom Purdy hopped on their shoulders, singing, before removing the gorilla mask to reveal one of their friends in the suit, who went on to do a shoey with an on-stage beer.
The raging night finished with the final encore of West Coast.
Kudos to Double Parked, Bliss and the team that went into making this night happen. There truly wasn’t an uninteresting moment of the show and I left feeling musically satisfied.
It was one of those gigs where you have a feeling that you’re witnessing a local band play before they become large sensations. Packing out the venue and playing so authentically that you just know big things are coming.
Eagerly anticipating the next show for both Double Parked and Bliss.
Isabella Rose Young
Photography by Leonie Moreland
Double Parked
Bliss
Photos by Isabella Rose Young
Discover more from Red Raven News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.