Gig Review: Drax Project @ Neck Of The Woods, Auckland – 13/05/16

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Roughly three years ago, I remember walking down Courtenay Place in Wellington and stumbling across a three-piece jazz ensemble playing top 40 pop and RnB covers outside of the Reading Cinema. I’ll tell you now, you have not heard Katy Perry until you’ve heard these guys play Hot ‘n Cold with a saxophone covering the entire lyrical line.

They were amazing - even in rainy, grey Wellington weather, passers bye would stop and listen.  

Time, it seems, has only improved Drax Project’s fan base, chops and overall performance. With the addition of synth the sound has changed (and perhaps in that a little of the lustre that drew me in initially is gone), but essentially what started as a part-time busking project has become a formidable and tight live experience. Late to start, the show kept good pace with a selection of well-chosen 90’s-ish hip hop and pop covers dispersed with the bands own material.

The live performance was stellar for a relatively young band, definitely done well – the vocals were solid, the bass and drums were tight and the saxophone was an awesome addition. The synth was well-played and a lot more understated in the mix than I expected – which worked quite well in my opinion. The band gave a rather insulated air onstage and singles Cold and Seemed Like Trouble went down well with the crowd. It must also be said that for a Wellington based band they drew a decent Auckland crowd.

An act I would definitely want to see live again.