Gig Review: Skinny Hobos @ Yot Club, Raglan – 06/01/2018

The sun finally decided to make an appearance over Raglan on Saturday afternoon, following two days of chaos weather and king tides that flooded most of the country. Tourists returned with the warmth as the campground began to fill up, the sun slipped below the horizon almost as quickly as it appeared.

I made my way over to the jewel of Raglan’s nightlife and local music scene, the Yot club. With the panoramic backdrop and an immediately laid back, wholesome vibe, I could easily see why this venue was popular and cherished by locals and musicians alike. The low rafter roof and wooden floors provided great sound and the bar quickly began to fill with punters fresh off the beach and ready for a drink.

Opening the show with some electronic genius was Taupo duo, False Heights. Armed with polyphonic keys, electric drums and the occasional guitar riff, these multi-instrumentalists took the edge off the night nicely with their laid-back melody and head bopping drum loops. Swapping up the sticks for the guitar while singing sweetly these two knew how to put on a good show, keeping the crowd attentive for the entirety of their set.

Followed up by Auckland blues rockers, Violet Highway who managed to rip the lid off the evening with their solid bass lines and dirty blues guitar. The high energy of their riffs led by a soulful, yet soaring vocal quickly persuaded the crowd into movement. A perfect mix of styles with dynamic songs this three-piece clearly knew what wanted out of the performance and demanded it from the crowd accordingly.

Just enough time to grab a drink before the Skinny Hobos burst on to the stage brandishing the strange but cool attitude and stage presence that has earned them a solid reputation all over the country. The sing-along ensued from wall to wall pleasing the crowd with hits and even rocking out with a well-executed cover of Led Zeppelin’s Immigrant song. Always a pleasure to see such a hard-working band do their thing in a small venue, rocking the house down while maintaining the laid-back vibe of the night

Closing for the night was Hamilton favourite, Cheshire Grimm who id been looking forward to seeing live all summer. Engaging with the crowd perfectly and even sparking off a good old-fashioned conga line led by a crudely dressed superman stag, this three-piece powerhouse made sure the night ended with plenty of dancing and laughs all around. Clearly controlling the show while keeping it cool, another great example of hard-working musicians that know how to show you a good time!

Short intervals between bands and great bar staff kept the night flowing nicely, an epic turn out combined with an awesome venue ensured the success of the show. Definitely, the perfect way for me to end my summer break and in such a nice place. Inhaling the essence of a true kiwi summer, rocking out in the moonlight to some of the best rock bands New Zealand has to offer.

– 5 stars

_{Review written by Matt Mutinous}