bReview: AltWave: Sonically Kiwi
Friday 16 May 2025 at Parāroa Brewing Co.
Words by Max Roskilly
Photography by Robin Wilkinson
It’s been two years since I’ve been to Whangaparaoa. Not like that’s too long a period of time, but long enough for me to reminisce about holidays there as a kid. As I drove down Whangaparaoa Rd for AltWave’s Sonically Kiwi night, I couldn’t help but do so. Buildings, hills, even intersections I’m taken back to my childhood - I always felt such a buzz heading up there. That still rang true tonight.
Speaking to Capricore frontman and AltWave co-founder Aidan Ripley, he felt the same but for different reasons. It was the second show that AltWave had put on after a hiatus of about five months, and the first outside of Central Auckland. Despite a stacked local lineup with a great venue, it was clear to me that tonight’s expectations were harder to pin down. With a great smile, Aidan told me that he feels good about the night ahead. Maybe a signal that he knows the bands will win me over?
In a venue which seems to be just shy of the size of Double Whammy, about half the tables are taken with people sneaking in a feed before the music starts. I order some chicken wings to settle my nagging stomach, and take a seat for the first band. I guess you could classify it as front row, save the dancefloor space in front of me.
Beginning the night were PONY, who turned the energy right up from the get-go. “We’re a boogie band”, I hear frontman Spike quip before ripping into their first track. It’s a solid blend of soulful, bluesy guitar with a funky backbeat. For a group I haven’t seen before, I found their blend refreshing for a young act. So agreed the other bar patrons who had crept up towards the stage in interest. They stayed bunched up about a table behind me, where PONY weaved their boogie sound between psychedelic jams and indie-rock tracks. Unfortunately, technical difficulties and two(!) string breaks stifled their momentum on more than a few occasions. These breaks gave me a chance to regret my choice in dinner, in which I underestimated its messiness. Sometimes sh*t happens. It’s enough for me to know I’ve got to see them again on a night where things go right - for both of us.
Second up were Pat’s Cave - a group I haven’t seen since 2023. I remember being impressed by their musicianship and choice lead guitar playing, so I’m curious as to what they’ll bring tonight. Similar to PONY, Pat’s Cave deliver plenty of soulful guitars, but without the funk backbeats. Pat’s Cave also delivered on their musicianship, as after an intro crafted to give frontman George a chance to shout out the audience and band, the group are straight into their first track. Over the next half-hour, they give a solid dose of melancholic indie, with a well-crafted sound that has me floating. They treated the growing audience to a cover of Radiohead’s ‘Just’ and Pink Floyd’s ‘Time’, the latter I think they absolutely aced. The audience gave back: finally getting into the dancefloor space in front of me to rock out. Another highlight was a great indie pop tune by their bassist, who was swapped over to guitars and vocals. An extended intro and playing between 4/4 and 6/8 in one song gave the set some prog flavour and gave the boys on stage to have some fun. They have an infectious charm and know how to get the crowd grooving. Even the guys at the pool table at the back of the bar were dancing…
Third up were Capricore, who I’ve seen many times. I’m lucky enough to be friends with all of its members, and play in a group with their drummer. I always look forward to a Capricore show. The same can be said for Paraoa Brewing Company - Aidan tells me post-gig that during high school, he played a weekly solo spot here. “A few people actually remember those gigs” he admits, as if grinding his solo and band work for years up these ways hasn’t made any impression.
Cracking into their classic ‘Knock Knock’, Aidan’s eccentric energy and charisma is enough to get everyone enthusiastic on their feet. At this show, I’m astounded by their track ‘Mars and Venus’ - one of their newer songs which NAILS a Sigur Ros-like shoegaze sound.
Even newer track ‘Problems’ carries a Britpop-like hook with Aidan giving his best Liam Gallagher vocal fry. With a psychedelic, delay-soaked bed, its been stuck in my head since as of writing this review. With bassist Jerrick and drummer Udyan swapping instruments, the band threw in a couple of cheeky covers - Nirvana’s ‘Something In The Way’ and Gorillaz’ ‘Clint Eastwood’ - which pulled more of the crowd to the dancefloor. Sitting down isn’t doing me any good now, I have no choice but to stand by the bar. Thus, the tone was set for their menacing fan-favourite ‘Siren’ - a fuse of metal and reggae closing out the set.
Last for the night were The Rvmes, which began with frontman Edwin acknowledging the other bands. His warmth had everyone in the venue glued, with all tables in the venue filled and plenty of people coasting the dancefloor. Straight into their first track and I realise these were the guys playing pool and dancing at the back of the bar - not only did they carry their energy over and fill the dancefloor, but they played like a well-oiled, funk machine. Both guitarists played as if they were playfully teasing each other - and with a solid backbeat and bassline gave Edwin’s gritty vocals a chance to soar. The Rvmes are a band that warrants a well-prepared stank-face. Aside from starting a conga-line, the band finished the night with a cover of Ginuwine’s ‘Pony’, scratching the itch I reckon everyone in the audience didn’t know they had. It was a fitting way to shout out opening band PONY who had not only stayed for the whole gig, but who’d been filling the dancefloor the whole night. I found it an apt reminder during NZ Music Month that attitudes like this can carry a gig for the better. For local music, it’s something all music fans across Aotearoa should celebrate.
With the gig over and drive back to Central Auckland ahead, I’m reminded of the buzz I felt being in Whangaparaoa. I think I’ll be coming to more gigs here.
95bFM 
