Live at Whammy
30 November 2024
Live Music Review by Music Journalist: Paul Marshall
Juno Is at The Others Way Music Festival
Having attended more live shows than Gordon Ramsay has recipes, I’ve seen it all—from the painstakingly meticulous to the gloriously chaotic. As a songwriter and musician with an ear for just about every genre under the sun, it was no surprise that tonight’s lineup at The Other Way festival served up something for everyone. In fact, it was nothing short of a sonic smorgasbord, a carefully curated feast of aural sculpting that tantalised every sense.
Juno Is
There’s a quiet confidence in Mackenzie Hollebon’s performance as Juno Is—a subtle power that doesn’t demand your attention, but commands it all the same. Dunedin-raised and Auckland-based, Hollebon took the stage at Whammy with a lineup of musicians who were clearly in sync with her unique vision. This wasn’t just another gig; it was a moment of intimacy shared between Hollebon and the crowd, who were in for a treat: her first-ever live performance of tracks from Eye On The Prize, her debut album that dropped just a few weeks earlier, on November 8, 2024.
Hollebon’s stage presence was a fascinating study in contrasts. When she confessed, "I don't play shows often, so thanks for having me," there was an endearing vulnerability that cut through the cool, collected aura she projected. You could feel the weight of the moment in her voice—this wasn’t just another performance; this was her moment.
Kicking things off with the album's standout track “Eye On The Prize,” Hollebon and her band delivered a stunning first impression. It was evident that this was a debut performance for the album material, yet the set felt completely natural, the songs thriving in the live setting just as they do on the record. Hollebon’s setup, too, was a testament to her DIY spirit: a small suitcase precariously stacked with a wooden block housing her effects pedals, and in front, a mini Korg keyboard. It was unconventional, but that was exactly the point—her creativity knows no bounds, and neither does her music.
Throughout the night, the setlist flowed effortlessly, each track weaving seamlessly into the next. Hollebon’s understated stage presence was magnetic, a quiet force that never overshadowed the music but instead elevated it. The sound was lush and expansive, thanks to her stellar band, whose skill and chemistry allowed the tracks to come to life in unexpected ways.
What stood out most, though, was Hollebon’s ability to hold the audience’s attention without saying much at all. She wasn’t there to entertain—they were there to listen. It was an intimate exchange between artist and audience, one that required little more than a few words and a few notes to connect deeply.
Juno Is isn’t about fireworks or flashy gestures; it’s about feeling every note, every word. And in that understated performance, Hollebon proved that sometimes, the most powerful moments in music are the ones that are quiet, simple, and undeniably real.
Reviewer: Paul Marshall
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