By Leah Victoria

Artist: Avalanche City

Date / Venue: Friday June 3rd, 2016 - The Powerstation, Auckland

When I think of the word Avalanche, it conjures up images of thick white powder angrily increasing in size as it chases towards it’s sleepy township only to engulf it in one swift suffocating dump.

So I was a bit surprised to hear the strong name belonged to the laid back, kiwi, guitar strumming, bearded folk singer!

I wasn’t really familiar with the music when asked to go along tonight to shoot some photos, and after a quick google search I learned that catchy promo interlude on TV2 that often gets stuck in my head, is the work of Avalanche City.

I expected a standard Mumford and Sons-esq folk band performance tonight, and although Baxter’s approach isn’t exactly pioneer or fresh, it is catchy as hell, and with its festival building drum beats it’s pretty hard not to like.

The show opened with the familiar celtic vibes of Ends In The Ocean from his debut album Our New Life Above The Ground before leaping straight into his second studio album We Are For The Wild Places and I Need You.

The first half of the set was steady. There is a great turnout for the show and there is a happy buzz about the venue as the crowd enjoy some drinks and a catch up with friends. I feel the night would’ve been more enjoyable if a sit down show, perhaps a few more couches and loungers about the place would have worked well with this laid back vibe.

The Streets marked the halfway point lifting the atmosphere with its rise and fall in tempo and was definitely a favourite with the audience.

The absence of bass was quiet obvious, in it’s place, a child like xylophone lightens the music bringing a soft lullaby effect to many tracks such as Little Fire and Everybody Knows.

It was a fairly short set, just over an hour. Enough to give fans a good run through of all his most known and loved songs, and a fair mix of tracks from both his albums. Highlights of the evening included TV jingle Love Love Love, Inside Out and Little Fire.

Backed by an array of musical talent, on drums, keys and lead guitar, in particular the trumpet player stole the show with some pretty spectacular leads and solos. I’m sorry I didn’t catch his name in order to credit his performance appropriately!

Over all, Avalanche City make a for a pleasant musical experience. It brings the perfect vibe for a catch up with friends with beers and nibbles!