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By: Teylor Moss

Band / Artist / Event Name: Elemental Nights

Event Venue: Hollywood Theatre Avondale

Event City: Auckland

Date of Event: 10/10/2020

What better way to celebrate than by going to a gig, AND the first show in the limited series, Elemental Nights!
This series will be showcasing up-and-comers and high-profile NZ artists. Come to a show, support your local artists and see all the amazing talent NZ has to offer.

First on the bill was Aidan Fine.

Aidan was born in Florida, raised in Johannesburg and now lives in Auckland, completing his first year of his songwriting degree. Aidan opened the night up with incredible energy and pure happiness, grabbing on to the crowd and immersing himself into the whole experience, showing that he not only has talent, but can put on a show as well. Aidan's band, The Fines, were beyond amazing, creating the perfect sound to match Aidan’s. Praise needs to go to his guitarist, who was utterly captivating with his incredible solos.

Half Queen followed Aidan Fine. Shaquille, better known as Half Queen is a DJ that has been dominating the NZ music scene for a while now. She has started her own club nights in Auckland, Filth, that create a welcoming, safe place for you to let go, no matter how you identify. Playing hit after hit, she gets you dancing while waiting for the next artist to start.

Next on the bill we have deadforest, an Auckland rapper who features with artists like Church & AP, as well as J$E. deadforest hyped up the crowd for Church & AP with his great flow, good hooks and confidence, interacting with everyone in the crowd and bouncing off producer Dera Meelan.

Following deadforest is Polyhill, an up and coming Auckland MC, producer, beatmaker and filmmaker, who puts her heart on her sleeve and in her lyrics. She commanded the stage and captivated the audience with her unique sound and her serious yet carefree attitude. Polyhill was a great addition to this line-up as she really accentuates the diversity within the Auckland hip hop music scene.

Fable is up after Polyhill, doing a complete 180 in comparison. Wearing his iconic balaclava to complete his shyboy persona, he is unmistakeable. This Auckland rapper from Papakura took a spin on the night, slowing things down a bit while managing to maintain the hype. His DJ was full of energy, jumping around the stage, interacting with Fable and the crowd.

It is now time for the headlining act, Church & AP, on the first night of 'God Said, the Tour'. They enter the stage welcomed by an excited crowd. Full of energy, Church & AP are covering every inch of the stage, playing to the fans and each other, while hitting every bar and getting the crowd to sing along. Their producer Dera Meelan was returning the energy while keeping good flow, a great match for the duo. Church & AP got the previous acts and other artists to join them on stage and get energy levels up even more. I look to the side of the stage and see their manager, beaming with pride and admiration for the duo, dancing along and interacting with the crowd as well.

Church & AP put on an amazing show, smiling the whole night, singing with the crowd and joking with them. It was one of the most down-to-earth gigs I’ve witnessed, full of appreciation and love; a diverse crowd of all ages, gender and ethnicity, with no bad energy.

This was a great first set of the Elemental Nights as it showed the diverse range Auckland hip hop has to offer.

Review Edited By: (JAKE EBDALE)