Live at Homegrown, Claudelands Oval
14 March 2026
Live Review by Music Journalist: Paul Marshall
Fly My Pretties Ignite Homegrown with Soulful Supergroup Magic and Riiki Reid’s Star-Making Moment.
By the time I weave my way through the sea of festival-goers to the stage hosting Fly My Pretties, the unmistakable voice of Troy Kingi is already ringing out across Claudelands Oval. Kingi stands centre stage, cool and commanding, delivering a groove-laden tune backed by a band that could easily be described as a supergroup of Aotearoa’s finest musicians.
Behind him, a wall of vocal harmony unfolds, rich, layered, and utterly spellbinding. It’s the kind of sound that reminds you why Fly My Pretties has carved out such a unique place in New Zealand’s musical landscape since its inception in 2004 under the guidance of Barnaby Weir of The Black Seeds.
The concept has always been beautifully simple yet incredibly effective: gather some of the country’s most talented artists, place them in a room, and let the songs emerge organically. Every album arrives with a new lineup, and with it a new flavour. Over the years that formula has delivered a catalogue of stunning records and unforgettable live shows and today’s performance at Homegrown proves the magic is still very much alive.
Vocally, the stage is overflowing with talent. Especially in the backing vocal department which brings a soulful richness that commands attention, while Bailey Wiley injects her signature blend of jazz, R&B, and hip-hop swagger.
But the absolute standout for me is Riiki Reid.
From the moment she steps forward to take the lead and sing her song Energy something shifts. Her voice carries a tonal quality that feels both timeless and fresh, the kind of voice that makes you stop mid-sentence and listen. There’s power there, but also warmth and nuance. As she moves across the stage, smiling, dancing, clearly loving every second of it, Reid radiates the kind of effortless charisma that can’t be taught.
In short: she has the X-factor. In abundance.
That’s not to diminish the rest of the ensemble. Quite the opposite. The beauty of Fly My Pretties has always been the collective, a band where egos are left at the door and the songs take centre stage. When they launch into the politically charged groove of Politician, the crowd locks in instantly, swaying and singing along as the layered vocals rise above the rhythm section.
And that’s the real magic of this project. It’s less a traditional band and more a living, breathing musical ecosystem, a rotating gathering of artists who bring their own styles, stories, and sounds into the fold.
Remarkably, this is Fly My Pretties’ first appearance at Homegrown, and it feels long overdue. Surrounded by some of the country’s loudest rock bands and biggest pop acts, their performance provides a different kind of power, soulful, collaborative, and deeply musical.
Watching this lineup trade verses and harmonies under the blazing Waikato sun feels like witnessing the best of New Zealand music distilled into one stage.
And if the reaction of the crowd is anything to go by, it won’t be the last time Fly My Pretties bring their beautifully chaotic musical family to Homegrown.
Because when voices blend like this, when musicians play with this level of chemistry, and when a rising star like Riiki Reid emerges right in front of your eyes…
You realise you’re not just watching a gig.
You’re watching the future unfold in real time.
Fly My Pretties - Set List
- TAWAZ INTRO
- TIE TOGETHER
- GET OUT
- KAWAI
- SEE ME FLYING
- ALL YOUR SHIPS
- RED FLAGS
- ENERGY
- TAKE IT FROM ME
- ALL THE GOODNESS
- NEVER BLOWN
- LET'S ROLL
- HARRY POTATO
- POLITICIAN
- BAG OF MONEY
- HEAVY WEATHER
- TURNAROUND
Reviewer: Paul Marshall
Photography by Paul Marshall
WATCH THE LIVE VIDEO at Paul Was There -