Billed as a double-header of sorts, well definitely in thoughts (Mercury Rev fans), Oxford shoe gazer lumières Ride took the reins last night for a spirited performance at Auckland’s best little venue, Mt Eden’s cherished Powerstation.
What seemed like days of wicked weather in Auckland coincided with Mercury Rev pulling their performance due to illness within the band. Many had bought tickets with the proviso of Rev on the bill. Despite this it seemed almost all turned up on the night.
Great they did, as Ride were to give something extra for the occasion.
Motoring it from the Midnight Oil doco The Hardest Line at the NZ Film Fest (plus a quick coffee), I was to miss part of opening act Tablefox’s set.
The local lads heeded a super-short notice call-up to cover, drawing selections from their three long players, two EP’s and numerous singles.
A cover of Australian Crawl’s Reckless was a point of difference, but throughout Tablefox’s set of driven pop tunes, it was not too distant a cousin from what was to come.
Formed in the late 80’s, and having a lengthy hiatus nearing 20 years, Ride have had a resurgence of late, with three solid albums since their return.
With a near full house at attention, the opening number commenced with the synthetic strains of a retro drum loop. Charmingly deceptive as Monaco is off their latest record Interplay (2024).
Refreshingly retaining their original lineup (from 1988), lead vocalist Mark Gardener confidently sang and led from centre front. He joined in on Ride’s twin guitar jangle powered sound with lead fellow gatman Andy Bell.
Killswitch elevated the crowd, driven by drummer Los Colbert’s slamming quarter notes on the snare.
The drumming troubadour (The Animalhouse, The Jesus & Mary Chain, Gaz Coombes) worked up some sweat, bringing left-field rhythmic counterpoints to the arrangements, and truckloads of washy cymbals. Playing both right and open-handed, Colbert conjured many hi-hat and ride infused rhythms.
I Came to See the Wreck moved in more melancholic territories, recalling Manchester’s Doves.
Unfamiliar, off their classic debut record Nowhere (1990), slammed, with searing guitars and rhythmical twists.
Lannoy Point was driven by bassist Steve Queralt, and those guitar riffs surely honoured the Dunedin Sound.
Cool Your Boots vamped over the coolest deconstructed rhythm from Colbert. Now we were into quintessential Ride. Backed up by the jangly opening riff of signature anthem Vapour Trail, Gardener dedicated the song to Jonathan & the Mercury Rev lads. Hope it’s not too serious.
Set closer Seagull frolicked by in a flash, aided by some frenetic drumming from Colbert. Supergrass meets Keith Moon!
With such a crescendo to finish, fingers were crossed for an encore.
Yep, Light in A Quiet Room began quietly, but gave way to a white noise ensemble.
Leave Them All Behind, wow! That one epitomises Ride’s essence; strong melodic pop songs built on twin guitars and vocal harmonies, with underpinning rhythmic interplay.
Chelsea Girl capped off the night, driven up-tempo to the max.
Ride, strong on melody, strong on jangle. The ride home definitely calmed the storm.
Mike Beck
Photography by Den
Ride
Tablefox
Setlist – Ride
Monaca
Portland Rocks
Dreams Burn Down
Killswitch
Last Frontier
I Came to See The Wreck
Unfamiliar
Lannoy Point
Peace Sign
Taste
Cool Your Boots
Vapour Trail
Seagull
(Encore)
Light In a Quiet Room
Leave Them All Behind
Chelsea Girl
Discover more from Red Raven News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.