Gig Review: Mermaidens @ The Hollywood Avondale, Auckland – 8/12/2023

With the theme of sourness scattered throughout their self-titled album, Mermaidens left the same exciting taste in our mouths during their performance of their record at The Hollywood Avondale. Their music pops with a fizzing sort of sourness from confectionery, one which demands to be felt, is addictive and elicits a visceral reaction.

Earth Tongue (pictured) was first to open the night, with Mermaidens’ own Gussie Larkin and Soft Bait’s Ezra Simons generating a surprising amount of fuzzy heat as a duo. Larkin’s clanging guitar and confident singing met Simons’ drumming at exciting peaks. They barely had to communicate to be synchronised in their hard-hitting performance. 

Nestled between two monstera plants then emerged Power Nap, whose synth-heavy tracks were atmospheric yet a whole bunch of dance fun. Once you’ve settled into the groove created by Chris Cudby’s nimble fingers, a new element arises that tickles listeners of all genres. The electronic soundscape Cudby created softened Earth Tongue’s hooks and led nicely into the main event:

The trio of Gussie Larkin, Lily Paris West and Abe Hollingsworth were joined by guest bandmate Louisa Nicklin (Dimmer, D.C. Maxwell) on guitar 2. Together, they were a force to behold. West and Larkin’s vocal harmonies and the matching energy and prowess of Nicklin and Hollingsworth remained throughout the night with the upbeat Sister, I Like To Be Alone and Dress for Success. Hollingsworth’s percussion seemed effortlessly expert, especially on Push it in sync with West’s bass and in conjunction with the raking guitar of Larkin and Nicklin on Tear it down.

Despite the deserved hype in the room for the band’s upbeat songs, it was the slower tunes like Greedy Mouth, Siren Song and the stripped down rendition of Comet which left the crowd transfixed. A highlight was West’s exquisite voice here.

The show felt like it was for the enjoyment of everyone, with the band changing outfits midway into overheating yet cool denim, and a surprise lineup of women swaying with their hands in each others’ back pockets (a fitting reference to I Like To Be Alone) in the finale.

The royal venue of The Hollywood Avondale was perfect for Mermaidens’ monarchic reign over our ears, especially in the good hands of The Beths’ Jonathan Pearce on sound. This gig certainly marks a turning point for the exceptional trio who are a must-see.

Photo Credit: Taiga Semori
Mermaidens Photo Gallery
Earth Tongue Photo Gallery
Power Nap Photo Gallery