Having just come back from their last world tour, The Black Seeds are touring New Zealand on their 2012 Dirt and Dust Album Release Tour.
I headed to The Powerstation on a somewhat nippy night to get a taste of how their latest album translates to a live performance.
Tracks from their new album Dirt and Dust offer a refreshing take on the Reggae & Ska rhythms, drawing wider influences from other genres, yet tactfully still keeping true to their sound. The audience is a mix of all ages, which how wide the appeal for their music is.
Opening the show with one of their classics, Fire, the crowd is amped up easily, and as the venue heats up and the invisible musical vibes that are pumping the Seeds really set the tone for the rest of the night. The set list is a good mix of old greats interspersed with their new tracks, which manage to flow nicely together. The music seems to transport us all to a gentler time and place, washing away the autumn stresses.
The Black Seeds are true performers and engage the audience at every opportunity. Many in the crowd know every line and are happily singing along, the rest of us simply join in on queue. Towards the end of the night there’s a great buzz in the air and everyone seems to be having a good time. You can’t help but feel like you’re at a big backyard party where the drinks are good, the music’s great, everyone’s dancing and you’re having fun.
If you’re looking for a great night out, this will keep you on your toes and warmed up with smile on your face. A great feel-good gig for a chilly night out. And whether you’re an old fan of The Black Seeds or someone reading about them for first time, I recommend giving their new album Dust and Dirt a spin, it’ll be sure to impress you.
