Concert Review - The Longest Johns - Auckland - 22nd May 2025

Presented By Destroy All Lines

The Longest Johns Live in Auckland - Photo Credit Ginny Cocks

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL LONGEST JOHNS GALLERY BY GINNY COCKS

Review By: Sarah Kidd

Artist/Band: The Longest Johns Sup by Alibi & the Wolves

Venue/City: The Tuning Fork, Auckland, New Zealand

Date of Event Thursday 22nd May 2025

Auckland’s Tuning Fork was transported last night onto the rolling waves of the great seas as The Longest Johns landed upon our fair shores for not only the first time ever but for the last show of their latest tour.

A full house of sea shanty loving patrons, many dressed as pirates (and even one dressed like a parrot) were ready and waiting to sing a long with the boys from Bristol, England who were in fine form and who came complete with not only an array of musical instruments but a couple of lovely inflatable palm trees just for good measure.

To open the evening the ever fine Albi and The Wolves appearing as a three piece; their combination of guitar, violin, double bass and delectable vocals brought their brand of alternative indie-folk songs to life in the most electric way.

The Longest Johns first formed in 2012 but really gained notoriety thanks to good old social media – their rendition of the song ‘Wellerman’ going viral on TikTok in 2021. The folk song first published in New Zealand in the 1970’s is a beloved favourite of most who follow this genre of music, so how befitting that The Longest Johns were finally in New Zealand to play it.

Consisting of three members, Andy Yates, Jonathan ‘JD’ Darley, and Robbie Sattin, TLJ are a force to be reckoned with. Not only are they skilled multi-instrumentalists whose vocal harmonisation is impossible not to adore, but their banter game is next level.

Kicking off the night with ‘The Llandoger,’ Sattin immediately had the crowd eating out of his hand as he played the mandolin, JD and Yates accompanying him beautifully as they rolled straight into ‘Byker Hill.’ Speaking of their heroes in the genre of this music, the trio delivered a stonking version of ‘The Mary Ellen Carter’ by their personal favourite Stan Rogers.

Harmonies were plentiful as ‘Hammer and the Anvil’ conjured up images of medieval blacksmiths working in the heat of the forge. Joking about how they had carefully selected instruments such as a white metal stool to play, and that one of their members was known as “the tambourine slayer” the Auckland audience impressed the band as they kept in time with JD as he clapped the beat to ‘Ye Mariners All.’

‘How do you get two banjo players to play in tune?” Yates soon asked the room, “You shoot one of them! Hahaha yes, I am a survivor!” ‘Hog Eye Man’ proving not only was Yates a survivor but also an incredibly talented banjo player who ensured that there wasn’t a single foot in the house that wasn’t tapping the floor.

Asking everyone to yell out the name of their favourite tree and then to physically imitate said choice made for an interesting snapshot, as hundreds raised their arms above their heads in various formations for ‘Oak & Ash & Thorn.’ “If you are wondering if you can sing a long with us, please do! It is even better if you know the words” JD cheekily encouraged the fans, and sing they did to ‘Santiana’ a wonderful traditional cover.

By now the venue was humming, The Longest Johns achieving something that is not easily done, bringing a room together and making them feel as if they were just as an integral part to the show as the band themselves were.

“We were taught a new word in Wellington last night – Chur! – we were told it’s a good thing, but we are fairly sure it is a racial slur. I mean who trusts the word of a drunken man?” Their tongue in cheek humour in regard to kiwi slang endearing them even further.

Introducing ‘Bones of the Ocean’ written by their ex-member Dave Robinson as a song that was especially important to them as it was the beginning of them writing their own songs rather than just performing covers, the fans almost listened with reverence before unleashing their voices again for ‘Mutiny’ which proved to be one of the most popular tracks of the evening.

‘One More Pull’ a song that somehow works in the words ‘Bum Fluff’ was a chance for JD to really show off as he enquired as to whether he could sing the last verse in a lower octave, everyone gasping as a voice that sounded as if it was emanating from the very seabed itself filled the room. “Oh, you can hear the ovaries tingling” Sattin joked at its conclusion.

A medley of tracks described as “land shanties” preceded the fast paced ‘Beer is Great,’ the boys performing a waltz on stage and encouraging the couples in the crowd to do the same, which many did without a moment’s hesitation. This is the beauty of a Longest Johns performance; it feels less like a show and more like a gathering of old friends.

Of course, ‘Wellerman’ was welcomed with open arms, the entire audience singing along, The Longest Johns understanding how truly special it was to be performing this particular track in the country from which it had emerged.

Finishing their set with the traditional ‘What Should We do with The Drunken Sailor’ and the trio bid their farewells, but not before demands of an encore and cries of ‘Mutiny!’ filled the air.

Returning for a two song finale, the three piece thanked everyone once again and advised that they would be down the back after the show to sign whatever was brought to them and take photos with whoever would like one. How refreshing to see a group of musicians humble enough to do so.

Finishing with the ethereal ‘Ashes’ and a raucous version of ‘Hoist Up the Thing,’ The Longest Johns left their Auckland audience with a smile on their face and a tune forever in the heart.

Brilliant.

SET LIST
The Llandoger
Byker Hill
The Mary Ellen Carter
Hammer and the Anvil
Ye Mariners All
Hog Eye Man
Oak & Ash & Thorn
Santiana
Mining For Gold – Chemical Workers Song
Bones in the Ocean
Mutiny
South Australia
Randy Dandy O
One More Pull
The Workers Song
The Lady of the Map / The White Whale / A Mighty Wave
Beer is Great
Leaving of Liverpool
Wellerman
What Shall We do with the Drunken Sailor?

Encore
Ashes
Hoist Up The Thing

Longest Johns Tour Poster 2025

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