Gig Review: Tess Liautaud @ Wine Cellar, Auckland – 4/05/2024

Review by LouClementine // 6 May 2024

Otautahi-based singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Tess Liautaud took to the stage of the Wine Cellar, a basement venue, on Karangahape Road, on an autumnal Saturday evening. Tonight was the Tamaki Makaurau show of her nine-date nationwide Gold Digger tour. She had been described as having a ‘graceful folk-country sound’ with some of my favourite female vocalists mentioned as comparisons, in reviews. The evening was unexpected because, for what I thought was a new artist, Liautaud gave an established artist’s performance. It wasn’t that the crowd were there to see her perform, we were also there to get to know her, to hear about her new songs and have them debuted.

Tamaki Makaurau was recently named as a City of Music by UNESCO. As a music journalist, I thought about what this meant. I decided it was the many venues that dot the central streets as well as the visiting local and international acts and the passion they bring. Sometimes there’s a big audience, sometimes only a few people. I hope this accolade means more will look to join in the live music experience. There are naysayers of course, but I would welcome them to an intimate venue like the Wine Cellar, with its sound engineer tucked to one side, and the coming and going of professional musicians, entertaining with energy, delivering their sound, collaborating and bringing us new music. If you experience it and if you support new music I think it will grow. The city needs its residents to enjoy live music as much as music needs its listeners. This gig was the perfect example of an artist at the early stages of their creative career, who exceeded expectations. If you find out a bit more about the artist, then you realise this is due to their lifelong engagement with music.

During the evening, Liautaud brought on a violinist and a banjo player. There were joyful duets, elaborate guitar solos and even a vibrant cover version. The tour celebrated the recent release of Liautaud’s single Gold Digger. In an interview in 2022, Liautaud described how she chose singles based on how it represented her. Gold Digger was upbeat with country style vocals and a splattering of rock guitar. It was evidence of a skilful songwriter, with influences from the likes of Sheryl Crow.

The cover was The Beatles One After 909, a jingly jangly early track from them. It was probably written in the late 50’s and it’s a favourite of mine. Liautaud’s version lit the place alive with its energy. It’s the sort of song you can barely sing, you have to shout. Highlights for the evening for me were her new tracks, Sleepless in Christchurch and Here Go The Lovers. I look forward to her upcoming releases. Tess Liautaud’s Gold Digger tour continues including shows in Wanaka, Dunedin and Golden Bay, join her and her excellent band of musicians.