bReview: Fly My Pretties

at Q Theatre, Saturday 30 May 2025

Written by Harriet Healion

Photography by Milad Asadi

I never expected that spending my Friday evening dancing among a lively crowd of middle-aged concertgoers would be so unexpectedly delightful.

As another university semester comes to a close, I find myself feeling somewhat lacklustre as I make my way into the Friday evening bustle of Auckland City. Arriving at the venue of the night—the quaint yet sophisticated Q Theatre—I find a nook at the back of the bar and take in my surroundings.

Sipping on a much-needed Coke Zero, I observe a group of ecstatic women ordering drinks at the bar. Everyone seems thrilled to be there—whether it’s the buzz of the weekend, an excuse to reconnect with old friends, or the anticipation of what’s to come...I had yet to find out.

As I settle into my seat in a nearly empty theatre, I watch audience members slowly trickle in, wine and beer in hand. It’s at this point I realise I may be the youngest in the crowd (not that I minded).

Chatting with a lovely couple behind me, they explain they haven’t listened to Fly My Pretties in years, but booked tickets simply because they love seeing live music, especially in a venue where you can sit down for the whole show (I don’t blame them).

Fly My Pretties, a fusion of musical genius, is in Tāmaki Makaurau to celebrate the release of their new album, Elemental. They describe themselves as having a collective approach to songwriting and performance, delicately weaving together a mix of folk with the depth of soul and blues. Recorded live at Massey University, Wellington, in just a week, Elemental showcases eleven artists, an interplay of each of their distinct musical backgrounds, to create a rich, genre-blurring sound. For their first album release in five years, Elemental is 'fundamentally human', exploring the spiritual and natural while connecting old friends with new, and weaving together both memories and fresh perspectives.

As the lights dim, a sudden whoop from the back of the theatre signals that the audience is more than ready for what is to come. The group takes to the stage dressed in a cohesive palette of black, white and red—a nod to Tikanga Māori. Te Reo Māori features prominently throughout the album, seamlessly complementing its spiritual and nature-inspired theme. The dynamic mix of artists featured in Elemental (AJA, Riiki Reid, Taylah, Louis TM, Barnaby Weir, Laughton Kora, Iraia Whakamoe, Nigel Patterson, Ryan Prebble and Aaron Stewart) command their presence through a refreshing display of individuality, each bringing their own unique flair to the stage.

My attention is instantly captured by the impressive array of instruments: four guitars, two pianos, a drum kit, a conga, a double bass, and a handful of tambourines. While the eclectic setup momentarily evokes memories of my primary school music class, it sparks genuine curiosity about what’s to come. Opening with Kāwai, anchored in earthy, rich notes, the group sets a reflective tone. Winner of the 2022 Silver Scroll Music Award, AJA, captures the stage, her stark, confident presence holding the room. As AJA steps back, Louis TM presents his original, Take My Hand. He introduces it as a call to unite in times of conflict and trouble.

It’s as if the whole crowd exhaled at once.

The lyrics, “take my hand and fly”, drift through the hushed theatre, and through his gentle musicality, Louis transported us to a space of hope and togetherness.

As Riiki Reid takes centre stage, the room’s dynamic shifts. The "baby of the group" at just 25, her youthful, effervescent energy brings a newfound heat to the audience. Her original, Share Your Luv, introduces a contemporary flair - a fresh, upbeat sound with an irresistibly catchy melody. Her comparatively delicate vocals pierce through the rich harmonies of AJA and Taylah, offering a refreshing tonal balance. Perhaps my favourite song of the set was Red Flags, written and performed by Taylah, a rising singer-songwriter whose bold yet vulnerable delivery left a lasting impression. Nigel Patterson, keyboardist for both Fly My Pretties and The Black Seeds, performed the crucial role of the pianist in this piece: supporting the performance whilst adding a fun and funky flair. Before I knew it, the group had guided us through the entire Elemental album, and I was left wanting more.

During the interval, the person next to me strikes up a conversation, curious about why I’d been scribbling away in my notebook. And no—despite how it may have looked—I wasn’t casually cracking the world’s greatest chemistry problem mid-concert (though that would’ve been impressive). They shared that they’d seen Fly My Pretties once before at the Town Hall and were struck by the way the drums and bass resonated through their whole body. I agreed—there’s nothing quite like a good live gig.

The second half of the evening welcomed some “old classics,” and the energy shifted. What began as a mostly seated crowd transformed into a room of on-their-feet ravers. When Barnaby Weir’s 2004 original Lucky kicked in, stomping feet echoed throughout the theatre—and before I knew it, mine were too. Keeping the energy high, the group rolled into Harry Potato, cheekily introduced by the one and only Laughton Kora with a grin: “Let’s have a hoon!” Someone in the back row let out an exasperated “ooohhh yeaaah,” a clear sign the night was far from over.

By the time the final two songs hit, the entire audience was on their feet, and I’d given up any hope of subtle note-taking. The full cast of Elemental returned to the stage, and the crowd erupted in dance—the middle section spilling into the side aisles of the theatre. The scream for encore came as no surprise, and the night closed with a well-deserved standing ovation.

Fly My Pretties is a perfect mix of individuality, collaboration and musicianship. The group takes the audience on a journey of life's struggles, beauties and the importance of coming together in strength. Fly My Pretties captures the true essence of music, the ability to make people feel.