Jason Momoa and Oof Tatata: Aquaman star hits Coromandel highway on his Harley

Jason Momoa and Oof Tatata on the Coroglen Tavern stage on Sunday night. Photo / Al Williams

Hollywood star Jason Momoa was “really thirsty” by the time he made it to the Coroglen Tavern on his Harley Davidson on Sunday.

Momoa gave a brief speech at the tavern on Sunday evening before launching into a set with his band Oof Tatata.

“I’m so f***ing happy to be here, I was riding my Harley up here and I was really thirsty.

“And sure enough, an oasis appeared.”

Momoa told several hundred keen punters he banged on the door when he arrived at the Coroglen Tavern.

He said no one was there when he arrived except for a staff member, who was hiding behind the bar.

“I came here and there was some special stuff going on here, but no one was here; I was banging on the window, ‘let me in’, and he was like, ‘that’s Jason Momoa’, I was like ‘it’s f***ing Jason Momoa, let me in’.”

There was plenty of room for this reviewer to move around and check out the sound from the front row and behind the sound desk when Jason Momoa played. Photo / Al Williams

Momoa said he had shot some of Chief of War, an Apple series, “just down the road” in Whangamatā, “so I live down here”.

The band then hammered out a set of covers, delivering a variety of rock standards, from the 1960s classic Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Chile to 1990s Nirvana, Rage Against the Machine and Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Coroglen Tavern offered punters a unique experience under the starry Coromandel night.

The surrounding hills echoed with the sounds of rock music as road cones and illuminated signs lit up Tairua Whitianga Rd State Highway 25 to warn motorists of the event.

Surrounding paddocks were packed with vehicles and animals.

The starry night was still something to behold.

Anyone who has watched Momoa’s docuseries On the Roam, which follows his journey to meet driven individuals in America, might have spotted guitarist Mike Hayes.

Hayes led the audio onslaught on Sunday with his captivating performance. The guy obviously likes guitars, and he can certainly swing an axe.

Momoa was looking to him for support throughout the performance.

The band were formed earlier this year and have only played a handful of gigs – they appeared to embrace the live experience, but it could have been louder (sound guys?).

There was room to move around the venue and I made sure to check it out from behind the sound desk and the front row. They certainly looked like they were having fun.

Drummer Kenny Dale kept it locked in as the three-piece made its way through a solid set.

To me, it looked and sounded like three mates just having a great time. And I’m sure they did. The crowd, including this reviewer, certainly did.

Oof Tatata are set to take the stage again at the Energy Events Centre, Rotorua on Saturday, then on Friday, November 8 at the James Hay Theatre in Christchurch and on Saturday, November 9 at the St James Theatre in Wellington.