In the final leg of their Asia-Pacific tour which has lasted over a month and 19 gigs so far, The After ventured down into The Mothership on Shortland Street to provide us a night of energetic Rock.
Taking the stage as the main act, The After wasted no time launching into their hard-hitting opener, Doesn’t Matter.
The crowd was immediately pulled in by their energy and tight musicianship. The guitar tone was spot-on, full of rich mids that gave the song a punchy powerful edge. Exactly how a Rock guitar should sound.
Ruby Fraser’s smooth, bluesy vocals slid effortlessly over the mix, bringing a soulful depth that matched the band’s rock-forward sound.
Andrew Featherstone’s bass work was solid and driving, providing the foundation for each track, while Bruce Madden on the synth brought an extra layer of colour.
His Hammond organ-inspired tones filled out the sound beautifully, adding a vintage, psychedelic edge that elevated their music.
When they dove into their second song, Something Outta Nothing, the Blues Rock influences really came to the forefront, with Ruby’s vocals riding across the band’s tight instrumentation.
Gareth Scott’s drumming was rock solid throughout the set, anchoring each song with precision and power. His steady rhythms laid the groundwork for the band’s dynamic shifts, adding a punch that complemented the heavier moments and groove during the more bluesy sections.
One of the most captivating moments was their fourth song, which had an instrumental blend that was Floydian. The atmospheric layers and precision of each part created a mesmerizing feel.
This set the stage perfectly for their surprise cover of Pink Floyd’s Breathe, a standout rendition that was both faithful and fresh, capturing the iconic moodiness of the original while giving it their own flair.
Ruby returned to the stage after a long intro filled with swirling Hammond organ sounds. This time she had a trumpet in hand. After a dramatic two bars of silence, the band exploded back into the groove as Ruby blew a smooth, catchy hook. It was a highlight.
The After closed with Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way, returning to their original material.
This final number became a showcase for the band’s individual talents, as each member took turns in the spotlight, building the song to a climactic frenzy. The solos were exciting and full of personality, adding to the electric atmosphere in the room.
The After delivered a thrilling, genre-hopping set that balanced classic Blues-Rock with psychedelic touches and modern Rock energy. Each song felt like a journey, keeping the audience locked in from start to finish.
First up this evening was Mantics, a four-piece band with both acoustic and lead guitars, offering an interesting mix of sounds.
Their classic line-up provides a solid contrast, with the acoustic guitar lending warmth while the lead guitar sharpens the edges, giving their music a nice balance.
The lead singer, sporting a distinct rockabilly look, adds personality and visual flair to the performance.
Their sound is where things get both intriguing and tricky. Mantics manages to evoke a blend of influences that feels like you’ve heard them before, yet there’s something unique about their style.
It’s like they’re pulling from every band in your memory, but still carving out a sound that’s their own.
The band excels in their chord progressions, weaving together melodies that are enjoyable and occasionally surprising.
However, their overall sound comes across as muddy. It was hard to distinguish the vocals, which sometimes got lost in the mix. This may have been caused by the venue’s acoustics, but it did detract from the clarity of their otherwise solid musicianship.
Despite the small crowd, Mantics played with energy and commitment, but there was a sense that they needed a bit more polish to really break through.
With clearer sound engineering and more dynamic stage presence, they could transform from an enjoyable band to something truly memorable.
Road Dog stormed the stage with a snarl and a bark, with an energy that immediately filled the room.
With a three-piece line-up, their raw sound hit hard, but this time the acoustics worked in their favour. The added bodies in the venue seemed to absorb some of the rough edges, and the overall sound was much clearer, especially the punchy bass that stood out throughout the performance.
The first few songs stuck to a solid Rock foundation, showcasing tight musicianship and a no-frills approach that suited the trio’s gritty vibe.
But then, things got interesting. Road Dog seamlessly transitioned into a Reggae/Rock crossover, blending rhythmic grooves with their harder edge.
From there, they pushed boundaries even further with an avant-garde jazzy middle eight, only to erupt back into a blistering Rock solo. This genre-hopping felt spontaneous but well-executed, keeping the audience on their toes.
The set closed with a punk-infused track that featured a catchy bass riff and a drum pattern with a slight off-beat, adding just the right amount of tension.
Road Dog delivered a solid, varied performance, with their ability to mix styles being a real highlight. The trio’s rawness worked to their advantage, creating a powerful, unpredictable experience that left the crowd buzzing.
Leon Rouge wrapped up the night, closing the show with a gritty, grunge-driven set.
The three-piece band quickly made their musical influences clear, channelling the spirit of bands like Tool and Rage Against the Machine.
The guitarist’s custom model, reminiscent of Tool’s signature style, paired perfectly with their sound. Thick, moody, and full of intricate licks that added depth to their heavy riffs.
As the amps warmed up, so did Leon Rouge’s performance. Initially, the guitar tone was a bit muddy, but as the night went on, the sound transitioned into the kind of raw, distorted grit you expect from a Marshall-driven setup. This shift added intensity to their performance, allowing the songs to hit harder and resonate more with the audience.
Their mix of Grunge and Alternative Rock, layered with interesting guitar work, brought out a sound that had a lot of potential.
The influence of Rage Against the Machine was clear in their rhythmic style and the confrontational edge in their sound, giving their set a rebellious, aggressive feel.
Unfortunately, the size of the crowd didn’t match the energy the band brought to the stage. Despite the smaller turnout, Leon Rouge played with passion, making the most of their closing slot and delivering a solid, well-executed performance to end the night on a grunge-fuelled high.
John Forster
Photography by Leonie Moreland
The After
Manics
Road Dog
Leon Rouge
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