Stormporter EP Release Gig @ Nectar Bar, Auckland 22/03/14

Before I start talking about Stormporter’s wonderful gig, I think I should give a round of applause to the venue in which it was held in. The Nectar Bar was a wonderful place to sit down and relax, with the building inside looking like a renovated barn. The stage area was well set up and not only was the building well presented, but the staff there were lovely also, with that said, may the review commence!

I hope I can speak for everyone when I say, that Ezra Vine, who opened up the gig, was brilliant and if some people disagree, then shame on them! His hit song Celeste was accepted with much enthusiasm, but it was his style of performing and engaging eye contact that was the most entrancing through-out his set list, creating a very intimate performance. I must say, he has a new fan. Up next was The Map Room which consisted of great musicians and they performed well, playing some great tunes and getting the crowd involved. All in all, a great beginning to the night by these artists.

Stormporter took to the stage radiating sophistication. Tim Allen and Tones Thorburn, the two frontmen of the band showed nothing but class, not only with their snazzy suits but also by the way they presented themselves on stage. The band as a unit worked very well together with Allen making sure everyone was ready and comfortable before each song commenced. Their set list was one that had you toe tapping and grooving away. Lead singer Allen was an absolutely captivating performer and sometimes I found myself not clapping at the end of a song due to the fact that I was so entranced by the way he put his entire being into the performance, not to mention his unique dancing that I found was a joy to watch! Allen had a brilliant voice and he and Thorburn have written songs that utilise his voice and range to the best of its abilities.

The only critique that I have it that the performance came to a sudden end with Allen leaving abruptly from the stage, leaving a few people puzzled. Apart from that, the gig was very enjoyable and I would not hesitate to see Stormporter live again.