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Review By: Rob Harbers

Artist: Spotlights

Date: Wednesday 27th November 2024

Venue: Paisley Stage, Napier, NZL

Coming in all the way from Pittsburgh, Spotlights provided the ultimate hump day release for a crowd of the cognoscenti at Ahuriri’s coolest little venue, Paisley Stage. With the assistance of fellow travelers on the journey Threat Meet Protocol and Lizard Prom, they provided a master class in the art of sonic architecture. Solid walls of sound, indeed!

First on the bill were Threat Meet Protocol, the venture of Austin Cunningham, the mastermind behind this touring delight. With an unusual lineup consisting of keyboards, bass and drums, I was a little unsure what to expect. But when the opening keyboard squeals were joined by the thundering bass and rowdy drums, it became obvious that we were in store for something loud; but fun! Let’s just say I was grateful to have my Poco Motos on hand to attenuate the top end. From such a combo comes a surprisingly heavy sound, but one that also includes the lightest of glissando from the keys. Quite difficult to adequately describe in case it isn’t obvious! so instead, just see them if, when and as often as you can!

Bringing a no less accomplished and impressive contribution to the package were locals Lizard Prom. Being from around here, I’ve heard of them a lot while somehow managing to not actually see them-but now that I have, I intend to make up for lost time! This is a band that deserves far greater national attention, one that gives yet more substance to the Te-Matau-a-Maui slogan of “Great Things Grow Here”! With their swirlingly atmospheric, venturing into shoegaze, sound they are at least equal to many a wider-known band, but cruelly tucked away from wider notice (until now, that is). While not to minimise, in the slightest, the efforts of any of the rest of the players, the dominant focus tends to be the vocals of Tyley Burkin. Truly whisper to a scream, and then another scream, and another! Indeed ranging from a Patti Smith-like growl, through sweetly melodic, to the aforementioned scream. An almost cathartic experience, supported by equally dedicated companions-one guitar even laying down its life for the cause!

Following on from such powerful openings threatened to be a difficult task, but it was a challenge to which Spotlights rose more than adequately. From the initial squall of beautiful noise, we were on notice that this was going to be loud, but fun! Initial impressions were of something like Sonic Youth minus the artsiness, as great slabs of pure riff were hewn by guitarist Mario Quintero and laid at our feet. Providing the pneumatic power in these efforts was his wife Sarah with her pounding bass, rattling the foundations and possibly risking a second Napier Earthquake! No less of a sonic contribution comes from tub-thumper Chris Enriquez. But it was Sarah’s bass that really propelled the show-and what propulsion!

The band I heard coming to mind the most often was Kyuss, both sharing a similarly pounding and dynamic aspect. ‘Melodic Bludgeoning’ is how Spotlights have been described elsewhere, and that’s pretty accurate-in an understated way, and always seeking consent first, this is a sonic onslaught of pure pleasure. One that doesn’t outstay its welcome, songs prone to very abrupt endings-the epitome of conciseness! Mario described being “Super happy to have flown 8000 miles to be here”, and it showed, the band’s enjoyment of the experience almost palpable, and hopefully to lead to a repeat tour quite quickly, if the stars align. Earlier in the tour, the band played an All Ages show under the bridge in Tauranga, and this inspired them to want to do more, such was the enthusiastic response they received. So, this message of sonic joy has the capability to put down roots into the next generations, keeping the flame alive!

But the bottom line-here’s a great opportunity to see a band that elsewhere in the world you’d need to be among very large crowds to see, up close and personal! One of their biggest fans, so much do that they’re signed to his label, is Faith No More’s Mike Patton-a powerful endorsement indeed, should you need it. Aotearoa, this is your chance-go and have your mind blown!