Live at Paraoa Brewing Co.
8 February 2025
Live Review by Music Journalist: Paul Marshall
Mark Williams – A Soulful Homecoming at Paraoa Brewing Co.
Mark Williams has nothing left to prove. The man who lent his golden pipes to Dragon’s later years and built a reputation as one of Aotearoa’s finest soul voices doesn’t need to chase applause. But at Paraoa Brewing Co. on Saturday night, he earned it anyway—note by note, groove by groove.
Dressed sharp in all black with a leather waistcoat, Williams looked every bit the rock star as he stepped onstage, exuding effortless cool. The crowd—a mix of longtime fans and younger punters discovering his catalog through retro playlists and their parents’ record collections—packed in close, drawn by the warmth of that unmistakable voice.
His setlist spanned decades, each song redefined with his signature touch. Backed by a slick, tight band that knew exactly when to push and when to let him ride the groove, Williams delivered a masterclass in soul and finesse. The audience swayed, entranced, as his voice filled the intimate venue—not just with sound, but with raw emotion, like a personal conversation with every soul in the room.
Between songs, he charmed with stories. "When I was young, Whangaparāoa was where all the rich people lived. Are we all rich?" he asked, met with a chorus of "no" and a few cheeky "yes" replies. "Oh shit, it’s taken me 50 years to find that out!".
He reminisced about childhood trips to Orewa, staying at the caravan park "when we could afford it," before launching into Hot Chocolate’s Heaven Is in the Back Seat of My Cadillac. Later, he dedicated a heartfelt rendition of Say I Love You to the late Renée Geyer, another artist he had the privilege of working with.
Here was a man who has spent decades in the game, standing on a small stage yet delivering a performance with the depth and soul of any stadium act. Mark Williams may not be the flashiest name in New Zealand music these days, but nights like this prove one thing: legends don’t fade. They just get smoother.
Reviewer: Paul Marshall
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