Presented By: Birds Robe, Valhalla Touring, Sargent House Presents

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL CHELSEA WOLFE GALLERY BY MEGAN MOSS

Review By: Teylor Moss

Artist: Chelsea Wolfe

Date: Friday 10th June

Venue: Powerstation, Aucklnad, New Zealand

The Prelude

After much anticipation, American cult-singer songwriter Chelsea Wolfe brings her unique blend of Gothic rock/ Doom metal/ Folk, back to New Zealand stages; however, it wasn’t an easy feat by any means. 

Chelsea unfortunately yet appropriately cancelled her 2018 tour in support of the #metoo movement; whilst we were devastated to have to wait longer to see her, we fully admire and support her decision and the other bands at the time who also cancelled their shows.

The show was rescheduled, but alas, Covid came along, and had to cancel... again! 

Finally, after jumping through endless hoops for 4 years, Chelsea Wolfe and talented support act Emma Ruth Rundle finally arrive in Wellington; would you believe it, only by the hand of twisted fate, Emma Ruth Rundle sadly catches covid and cannot perform her support of Sargent House Labelmate.

The Show

Arriving at Auckland’s Powerstation, feels alive with anticipation and excitement, while there was a bit of a wait with no opening act, but it’s no biggie, because we are finally here! There is a low constant mummer & chatter amongst fans who’ve waited ever patiently to see Chelsea. 

Smoke and lights fill the stage, billowing and seeping into the audience and ground below, a rumbling heavy bass rises from the floor, shaking the building from its very foundations and settling in your chest. Lighting start from the very top of the stage slowly moving downwards meeting the sound in the middle…. Chelsea emerges (almost glides onstage) like an ethereal goddess gracing the stage along with her band. 

Chelsea starts with "Feral love”, showcasing her incredible vocal range and talent, she's holding bells that jingle almost like a windchime, adding a spooky element to her unique sound, creating the moody atmosphere for the evening. She is an incredible musician as is her band.

She captivates the audience as she elegantly transitions between each song, moving from her electrifying Doom metal into her acoustic Folk music and settling into Gothic rock. 

Chelsea interacts with the crowd, thanking them for joining her, how grateful she is to finally be here and to think of Emma Ruth Rundle as she gets better. So, we’re sending A message ‘to get well soon Emma, we wish you all the very best and wish we could’ve seen you onstage’. 

The night rounds to an end and Chelsea says goodbye, the crowd beckons her back for one more song and she returns to the stage to perform a solo acoustic song "Flatlands" a truly beautiful end to a magnetic one-of-a-kind performance.

SETLIST 

1. Feral love 

2. Spun

3. 16 Psyche

4. Dragged out 

5. Vex 

6. House of metal 

7. Tracks 

8. The mother road 

9. Deranged for Rock N Roll  

10. Iron moon 

11. Carrion flowers 

12. The culling 

13. Survive 

14. Scrape 

15. Flatlands