Midnight Green EP Release at Ponsonby Social Club
Friday 19 July, 2024
Full feature by Amani Sadique
Photographs by Milad Asadi
Anticipation built as I sat cross-legged on a furry, khaki green rug, looking into the mirror and applying winged eyeliner. I was getting ready for Tāmaki Makaurau’s hottest upcoming neo-soul band’s EP release party, hosted by Midnight Green. Rain splattered against my window, and I contemplated whether I would punish myself with the experience of catching two buses during winter, or spoil myself with a DiDi, to Ponsonby Social Club.
The week had been hectic, but whenever I managed to grasp a moment to myself, I would hit play on “ars amandi”, Midnight Green’s debut EP, and read a few pages of my book. The EP helped me unwind, and it didn’t take much to convince me that it was a masterpiece. I even caught myself dancing in the mirror to its songs at one point, as they radiate such alluring energy.
I ended up splurging on a DiDi, and the area of Ponsonby I arrived in felt foreign - a part I'd never visited before. I found myself in a mysterious, indoor/outdoor passageway, a few metres away from the venue, and headed over to the dimly lit, cosy bar. I perched down on a table towards the back as the crowd was already filled. Nearby stood a former saxophonist from the band - Niki Te Whaiti. Another person at the table claimed they used to be a band member, and explained to me how the band’s genre has shifted, saying they haven’t always been a sexy, neo-soul band. Current saxophonist, Cameron Kelso also joined the table but seemed stressed as he had no idea when he would get called up to perform by the supporting act, as he is a member of both Midnight Green and BADMAW. The crowd felt more like a family than an audience due to how comfortable and welcoming everyone was.
Whilst waiting for the supporting act BADMAW to begin, I noticed how the intimate atmosphere of the venue accurately represented the seductive vibe of “ars amandi”. It almost felt like I was in a Camden pub, waiting for Amy Winehouse to walk on stage. The venue was so snug that I didn’t even feel like I was at a bar – it felt like I was in a lounge.
BADMAW loosened the crowd up, adding to the pre-established chilled-out atmosphere, and prepared us well for Midnight Green’s performance. BADMAW’s music slowly started to make me imagine I was sitting at a bar on a deserted beach, watching palm trees slowly sway in the humid air whilst the moon bounced off the ocean. The fact that it was the middle of Tāmaki Makaurau winter almost left my mind.
Once BADMAW finished heating the crowd, it was time for Midnight Green, who didn’t disappoint. As soon as the band walked on stage, Billie’s gorgeous, deep red dress with matching lips and hair ribbons caught my eye, accurately representing the EP’s dark, red-themed cover. They began to play, and I was amazed at how similar they sounded to when they were coming out of a speaker in my bedroom. It was hard to find a flaw in their performance - this was quality live music, and I felt honoured to be experiencing it.
The audience seemed at ease, and many were dancing with one another, with pleasure on their faces. Couples locked eyes with one another, displaying pure love, swaying their bodies side to side with the noise of Cameron Kelso’s saxophone, Michael Ligani’s keyboard, Oliver Prendergast’s drums, Zahn Foster’s bass guitar and Ellen-moana Smith’s backing vocals accompanying them. It felt like there was a wand casting spells of neo-soul magic over the crowd. Despite having many different instruments and multiple voices comprising the band, there was never a moment where it all sounded too much, and everything worked flawlessly.
The performance ended with the audience pleading for more, chanting “One more song.” It didn’t take much to convince, and the band stayed for one last performance, which was the highlight of them all. The finishing song was a beautiful piece from the EP named “The Singer”, which had a strong electric bass section towards the end, which blew the crowd away and was a perfect way to conclude the gig and send the audience off to their next stop for their Friday night out in Ponsonby.
Overall, the night felt magical, with both bands sending me to another world, and keeping the crowd moving all night long. Midnight Green made anyone in the room want to take home the singer . . . words from their finishing song.
Although neo-soul is not a genre I tend to listen to, I thoroughly enjoyed the night and can say my music taste has been expanded by repeatedly listening to “ars amandi”. I hope to see you all at Midnight Green’s next live show - or else you are missing out on some of Tāmaki’s finest live neo-soul music! Your loss, I guess.
95bFM 
