When I was offered the opportunity to go and see Ngaiire and her Blastoma Album Tour live at Fat Controller, I couldn’t turn it down!
Firstly, I’ve been dying to check out the new Fat Controller Night club, I had heard nothing but good things; but I was even more curious to check out Ngaiire, as I’m a big fan of a deep house track featuring her vocals from Australian producer Lancelot called “Aint nothing goin on But the Rent.”
So apart from this, I have to be honest and say I knew very little about this Sydney based and Papua born artist, or even the new Album, so was literally going into this show with little expectations; but let me tell you, I was about to be pleasantly surprised. Here’s how my night played out.
From the minute I entered Fat Controller I was impressed with the very helpful and friendly door and bar staff, who made me feel very welcome and at ease, which is nice when you’re flying solo!
I loved the fit out of the venue, which is very cool indeed; inside there was a great Friday fun feel vibe about the place; if only I had my friends here with me now…..anyway it was on with the show and I grabbed myself a vodka, as Ngaiire was about to start.
From the get go this show had me at hello! I was utterly mesmorised by Ngaiire, her back up singers and band, I loved their almost costume like outfits, mixing an urban and hipster style, with African inspired neck pieces, they had their look down pat.
What really drew my attention was Ngaiire’s energetic and playful presence and her interaction with the crowd which was effortless….and then there is her voice! Such range and depth. Incredible. She has the voice of an Angel, yet it can be so powerful, haunting and piercing too.
I felt like I was on a roller coaster ride of emotions during each song, and it was here that you really got to see Ngaiire and her bands versatility. They proceeded to show case their talent with a range of soulful and melodic sounds, through to darker and harder electronic broken beats, some RnB funk and Gospel, you name it they performed it.
The highlight of the night for me was when she sang “Once”, which, little had I realised, I had heard on the radio numerous times before on Triple J etc, Shame on me for not knowing this was the amazing and very talented NGAIIRE!
Do yourself a favour and buy the album, you won’t be disappointed.
Blastoma is out now via Maximilian Brown and SME.
Catch Ngaiire on tour, with support from Lanks and Jack Grace:
BLASTOMA NATIONAL TOUR
Sat 25 Jun // Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
Sat 02 Jul // The Foundry, Brisbane
Wed 06 Jul // Festival of Voices, Hobart
Fri 08 Jul // Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
Sat 09 Jul // Transit Bar, Canberra
Review by Kathryn Robertson
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