As New Zealand hunkers down for the first wave of Omicron, shows that haven’t been canceled are going ahead with caution for grateful, seated audiences. Accustomed to keeping the crowd on their feet, indie folk rockers Albi and the Wolves took a lead from pop-folk co-headliner, Looking for Alaska (LFA), to give a rare toned-down performance that, like a magic mirror, reflected and enchanted the mood of the moment. Admittedly unaccustomed to sitting while playing (7 years together and they’d never sat for a gig before), the always on point banter took on a mindful quality that acknowledged the synchronous weight and lightness of the moment in a way that only good art and skilled performers can.
Intended to be the 7th gig of the A Little More Space Tour, after COVID restrictions caused the postponement of the first several
gigs, Whangārei welcomed the distinction of “first gig of the A Little *Less* Space Tour” and heaped darkly humorous gratitude on the cohort for being “the first and only gig of the year.”
In one of many adaptations for the setting, the co-headliners shared the stage; trading songs and playing on each other’s. The once multi-country, full band tour reorganized into a homegrown, stripped down collective with acoustic guitars, bass, violin, a bit of piano, and cajon. As veterans of the kiwi music scene who have toured together many times, this show saw them masterfully mesh their sets such that they wove a collective narrative on love and loss, familial and romantic, happy and sad, ultimately hopeful. For the large part Albi and the Wolves played the light to LFA’s darkness for a deft balance of up and down tempo, heaviness and levity, plus a unique and indulgent lean toward the darkness in light of the circumstances. It felt validating and like a privilege to witness these musicians in this time and place.
Between sets, Maggie Cocco spun her own narrative with selections from Like a Moth; a 10-song cycle for voice and piano from a project called Science for Sociopaths. Often presented as a touring multimedia show featuring original music, local artists, and audience participation, Cocco’s half hour set featured only music, arranged for piano, voice, and guitar.
Cocco was introduced after the first set as ‘the local act’, and she arrived laughing, pleased with this reference. Her accent gives her away. Cocco has been local for two years, maintaining remote ties with her US performing community since Covid-19 stopped her from leaving, but hey! Love made her stay, so that counts. Cocco has been very active around Whangārei and Aotearoa (New Zealand), performing, collaborating and developing innovative new projects including Like A Moth from Maggie Cocco’s Science for Sociopaths, which explores the highs and lows of love and lust. It was fitting with all the soaring emotions in the room that she chose this cycle to perform from.
With Matthew Shepherd (a true local) on guitar, the duo performed Cocco’s interlinked songs with nuance and sensitivity. She has a powerful voice, but for this series she dials it back to let the complex, shifting textures and clever lyrics come to the fore. In that darkened room, enjoying the novel sensation of listening to live performance in a group again, it was the perfect contemplation. Cocco’s set offered both compliment and contrast to the pause in Albi and the Wolves and LFA’s sets.
Particularly standout was Chris Dent of Albi and the Wolves’ exceptional humor and emcee skills, Amy Maynard of LFA’s pitch perfect, soaring vocals, Pascal Roggen of Albi and the Wolves’ nuanced accompaniment to firebrand violin solos, and Cocco’s dripping emotional delivery. Also notable was the strong bass section which featured American multi-instrumentalist Michael Young on upright and the 14 year old son of LFA (Amy Maynard and Aaron Gott), Theo, grooving competently on the lows.
Favorite Albi and the Wolves songs of the evening included “Closing Time” – sexy bass, tight harmonies, and featuring apposite piano and violin solos by Gott and Roggen – and a special rendition of their classic “I Will Not Be Broken”, featuring audience participation, which lead singer Dent framed beautifully to cathartic effect.
Looking for Alaska delivered with “new song,” – LFA’s premier of an as of yet nameless covid-inspired banger about feeling stuck and helpless, with the refrain, “am I just a freak with anxiety?” – and “Hine Atarau” – a gut wrenching and uplifting song in English and Te Reo Maori that addresses generational trauma. Also worth mentioning was the soulful, gospel inspired tribute to Maynard’s Grandmother, “Lily“.
“Down Down Down” – an intimate and pulse driven sexual vignette – and “In Another World” – a tear-inducing story of heartbreak and loss – were the favorites from Maggie Cocco’s Science for Sociopaths. 
Strong pop-folk ballads from Looking for Alaska, foot tapping folk rock from Albi and the Wolves, and theatrical pop ballads from Maggie Cocco’s Science for Sociopaths made for a rich and satisfying evening. If, heaven forbid, this is Whangārei’s only show of the year, it was a good one.
Keep up with Albi and the Wolves: Instagram // Facebook // YouTube // Website
Keep up with Looking for Alaska: Instagram //Facebook //YouTube // Website
Keep up with Maggie Cocco’s Science for Sociopaths: Instagram // Facebook // YouTube // Website // Patreon
Article by Maggie Cocco and Renee Liang, with contributions and photographs by Michael Nogher.
