SIX60 brings quintessential summer sound to the Bay

Matiu Walters, lead singer Six60 performing at Black Barn. 9 January 2018 NEWS. Photograph Warren Buckland Hawke's Bay Today.

The New Waves World Tour - SIX60 with Nico & Vinz, supported by Kings
Tuesday, January 9
Reviewed by Astrid Austin

The atmosphere slowed down, the lights flickered and the crowd went silent.

The strum of the guitar and the opening lines from SIX60's 2014 hit, So High reverberated through the sold out crowd and the five-piece, dressed in their own unique style, brought their quintessential Kiwi style to the Bay.

Earlier in the evening, Kings took to the stage to open the first of two shows at Black Barn Vineyards, captivating the audience from the get go.

While his 30 minute set was just a taster, he performed a seamless line-up of crowd favourites like Don't Worry Bout' it.

Though unassuming and modest, the Auckland rapper didn't disappoint, sharing his distinctive sound - albeit with a few words in between.

Despite having never heard of Norwegian duo, Nico & Vinz, consisting of Kahouly Nicolay "Nico" Sereba and Vincent "Vinz" Dery, took to the stage with the utmost passion and displayed a unique sense of quirkiness.

They brought their mix of afrobeat, hip hop, contemporary and R&B to their new-found Kiwi fans.

Throughout their songs, they successfully pulled-off synchronised dance moves, most notably in their 2017 pop song, Listen.

However, fans were undoubtedly here to see five-piece Six60, who have been in the hearts and minds of many since their days playing as a covers band at student gigs in Dunedin back in '08.

The entire band, consisting of vocalist Matiu Walters, lead guitarist Ji Fraser, bassist Chris Mac, Marlon Gerbes on synths, and drummer Eli Paewai, appeared genuinely humbled by the frenzied reception they received, and smiles remained firmly planted on their faces for the duration of the performance as they delivered a set of their signature eclectic sound which superbly mixes elements of rock, soul, R&B, and drum and bass.

Walters noted that they had brought "some of the Bay's finest", with Eli Paewai hailing from Dannevirke and Napier's Marlon Gerbes.

A definite highlight of the night was their reinterpretation of the first song they released, titled Rise Up.

Despite being somewhat attacked by a large moth, Walters continued to nail his vocals, although he had his arms flailing about.

Their song, Green Bottles saw all members move to the front of stage.

Fireworks and close-up encounters with both Walters and Mac created a stand-out show.

Quite simply, they delivered their pure, unadulterated best, with nothing short of perfection.