Live at Paraoa Brewing Co.
19 July 2025
Live Review by Music Journalist: Paul Marshall
A Night of Stars – Frankie Stevens Shines Bright at Paraoa Brewing Co.
It’s not every Saturday you find yourself in the presence of true Kiwi music royalty. But at Paraoa Brewing Co. on July 19, the stars aligned—literally—for a celebration of legacy, laughs, and living legends, as A Night of Stars unfolded with the unmistakable charm and timeless vocals of Frankie Stevens MNZM leading the charge.
The evening’s event was organised by Orewa local Gary Brown—an entrepreneur and professional entertainer best known for founding the NZ Walk of Fame, which launched on July 1, 2010, with the first star placed on Orewa Boulevard by iconic Kiwi entertainer Ray Woolf. Brown pulled off an impressive feat, coordinating both the unveiling of Stevens star in Orewa and the live performances that followed at Paraoa Brewing Co. His organisational skills deserve high praise for delivering such a memorable night in honour of Stevens.
Best known for his velvet voice and even bigger heart, Stevens has long been at the coalface of New Zealand entertainment. His 2005 induction as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit was no fluke—it was a lifetime of artistry crystallised into one of the country’s highest honours. And tonight, backed by an elite cast including guitar great Gray Bartlett and showman Brendan Dugan, Stevens reminded everyone exactly why he remains a national treasure.
From the outset, the energy was unmistakably "mature"—the crowd was largely a sea of gold cards with a few youthful ripples—though don't let that fool you. These veterans know how to party, especially once the Diamond Divas hit the stage. With powerhouse vocals and magnetic stage presence, the Divas had the crowd dancing, shimmying and singing along. And who else but Frankie would casually strut onto the dance floor mid-set, grinning ear to ear, surrounded by swaying fans like it was 1975?
Another standout performance of the evening came from Michael Murphy, whose ever-strengthening vocals seem to improve with age every time I hear him. I first met Murphy when he was a young man and asked me to manage his band, 5 Star Fallout—a role I gladly took on back in the day. We had a blast exposing the band to wider audiences and touring across the country. One of the most memorable tours was with radio station ZM, who eagerly called us every day to check which town we were in and what antics were unfolding—most of which were definitely not suitable for live radio.
One logistical mess tonight was the less-than-stellar seating plan. The table layout? The front tables were crammed side-on to the PA, leaving some folks practically swallowing bass frequencies while others craned necks to glimpse the stage through badly placed late-arriving camera equipment. Production hiccups aside, it was the sound—and the sound guy, affectionately dubbed Brody the roadie—that salvaged the night. Frankie himself threw Brody a deserved shoutout from the stage, and deservedly so. Hats off to the unsung hero behind the faders, who battled poor positioning and late tech setups to deliver a crystal-clear mix.
If Frankie was the emotional centre of the evening, Bartlett—at 83 years young—was the revelation. His guitar solo and playing on “Fields of Gold” wasn’t just technically flawless; it was spiritual. Notes hung in the air like mist over Lake Taupō—delicate, measured, then suddenly fierce. Watching Gray move with the confidence of a man half his age and the wisdom of someone who’s sold millions of records… it was like seeing Clapton in his prime. Once-in-a-lifetime kind of stuff.
Dugan brought levity and edge, tossing out a cheeky quip when Frankie leaned forward to change tracks: “Actually, that’s a good position for you… if only the drummer was here with his sticks.” Cue laughter. Later, Dugan’s rousing take on Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues” reminded everyone that this night wasn’t just about nostalgia—it was about enduring passion.
A curveball delight came when Tom Sharplin unexpectedly joined The Motivation Band after the third song, jumping into “Rock Around the Clock” and an eerily spot-on rendition of “Heartbreak Hotel.” The Elvis lives.
The evening wasn’t just a concert—it was a love letter to New Zealand’s musical past. And when Guy Cater took the mic to deliver a heartfelt tribute, the respect in the room was palpable. This wasn’t just another gig—it was Gary Browne’s Night of the Stars come to life.
Despite a few production misfires, the soul of the show was untouchable. Frankie Stevens, at the centre of it all, proved that age hasn’t dimmed his fire. If anything, it burns brighter now—more seasoned, more meaningful.
After the show, I had the chance to chat directly with Stevens — a surreal moment, given our tenuous connection despite being from opposite sides of the world. Stevens (guitar/vocals) got his start in late 1963 with his first band, originally named The Southern Auroras. They later rebranded as The In‑Sect and became a fixture at youth clubs, school dances, and community events across the Hutt Valley. When Frankie left The In‑Sect in 1966 to pursue a professional career in Australia, the remaining members — including Wayne Mason, Martin Hope, Ali Richardson, Carl Evensen and Chris Parry— evolved into the acclaimed band The Fourmyula. Later, drummer Chris Parry would eventually head to the UK to found Fiction Records and sign none other than The Cure.
And there lies the thread — that tenuous connection — as I auditioned as the drummer for The Cure in 1994. Fittingly, they were the last band I ever played for in the UK before relocating to New Zealand.
By night’s end, as the final chords rang out and the dance floor slowly cleared, one thing was crystal clear: A Night of Stars didn’t just deliver on its name—it transcended it.
Reviewer: Paul Marshall
Photography by Paul Marshall
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