Live at Hollywood, Avondale
8 November 2024
Live Music Review by Music Journalist: Paul Marshall
Reb Fountain - A Spellbinding Performance that Blurs the Line Between Dream and Reality
New Zealand’s dark-folk queen Reb Fountain is a force of nature. Last night at Hollywood Avondale, she transformed a cavernous space into an intimate séance, conjuring spirits of folk, punk, and gothic rock. The performance was electric yet haunting, like staring into a thunderstorm as it gathers over a vast landscape — ominous, beautiful, and impossible to look away from.
The stage setup was stark but simple. Under dim, moody lighting; it set the tone perfectly for Reb’s brand of raw, introspective storytelling. The band opened with a slow burn — “Swim To The Star," a track that feels like an ethereal journey through a fog-laden forest. Reb’s voice was smoky and hypnotic, rising above the murmurs of the crowd like a spellbinding incantation. You could sense the audience collectively holding their breath as she sang, transfixed by her presence.
From the moment she walked on stage, dressed in her signature black outfit with pink arm warmers, Reb exuded a palpable energy. Reb commanded the stage with a blend of poise and frenetic energy. Her performance was equal parts Patti Smith's punk poetry and Nick Cave’s brooding theatrics, yet distinctly Reb Fountain — darkly romantic, fiercely expressive. She seamlessly switched from piano to guitar, each instrument an extension of her emotional narrative.
Reb who was born in San Francisco, took to the stage with her full band in tow, delivering a performance that was equal parts compelling concert and impassioned political sermon. With multi-instrumentalist Dave Khan, bassist Karin Canzek, and drummer Earl Robertson behind her, Fountain aimed to bring the audience on a journey not just through her music but through her worldview — for better or worse.
Khan, ever the musical wizard, switched effortlessly between violin, guitar, and keys, showing off the kind of versatility that has made him one of the most sought-after musicians in New Zealand’s scene. His chemistry with Reb was evident, each look exchanged between them a testament to the deep musical bond they share.
However, halfway through the set, the music took a backseat as Reb decided to address her concerns about the recent U.S. elections. Born to a nurse and an economics professor, Reb has always had one foot firmly planted in American soil, and she’s never been shy about her political leanings. “We need to stick together,” she implored the crowd, her voice wavering as she struggled to find the words. “Community and connections are what’s gonna help us through… even though it’s hard, it’s been challenging for me these last few days.” The pauses between her sentences stretched on, filled with her visible frustration and emotion, as she tried to express her dismay about the election’s outcome.
An audience member decided to break the tension, shouting, “Nothing that a chardonnay won’t help!” The comment brought a wave of laughter and seemed to pull Reb back from the brink of losing her connection with the crowd. She chuckled and replied, “You’re so right. That’s what I need right now.” But not everyone was as forgiving of her political tangent — another voice, louder and more direct, yelled, “F*** off and just sing us a song!” The laughter that followed was a collective sigh of relief, a moment of levity that allowed everyone, including Reb, to reset.
With a wry smile, Reb nodded, acknowledging the outburst without missing a beat. She introduced the next song, “Hey Mom,” with a sincerity that cut through the tension like a knife. “I’m just grateful that you’ve provided us with an opportunity to do the thing that gives us purpose in life,” she said, her voice firm but softening. “Hopefully that resonates with you… we’re in this to f***ing gether, all of us.”
As the band began to play, the atmosphere in the room shifted dramatically. The raw emotion in Reb’s delivery was palpable, each lyric landing like a confession whispered in a darkened room. The song, a heartfelt ode to family and belonging, struck a chord with the audience. Tears streamed down the faces of several women in the front row, including my plus one for the night, Sherri, who was more than impressed as was I. In that moment, it was clear — this was Fountain at her best, when the noise of the world outside melted away and all that was left was her voice, her vulnerability, and the music.
Karin Canzek’s basslines were smooth and steady, a heartbeat that kept the emotional weight of the song grounded. Earl Robertson’s drumming was restrained but powerful, providing a backbone that carried the song through its swells of intensity. And then there was Khan, whose haunting keys in “Hey Mom” was nothing short of soul-stirring. It’s no wonder he co-produced the new album — his understanding of Reb’s musical vision is evident in every note he plays.
For a moment, the politics were forgotten. The world outside Hollywood Avondale ceased to exist. It was just Reb, her band, and a room full of people who had come to lose themselves in her music. This was the essence of live performance — the power to transport, to unite, to make sense of the chaos for just a little while.
The set closed with a rousing rendition of “Don’t You Know Who I Am,” the crowd roaring back every word. It was a triumphant end to a night that had its ups and downs but ultimately showcased Reb Fountain’s raw talent and her ability to connect deeply with her audience, even when the message isn’t what they expected.
As the band made their exit, the applause swelled into a roar, but the audience wasn’t ready to call it a night. It started as a ripple of claps and cheers, then grew into a full-blown stomping of feet and shouting of demands — the kind of fervent, unrelenting noise that only a crowd utterly captivated and wanting more can create. The floorboards vibrated beneath us as if the Hollywood Avondale itself was begging for an encore. The cacophony stretched on, an eternity in musical terms, building up a tension that hinted something special was about to unfold.
Finally, Reb and her band re-emerged, greeted by a wave of triumphant cheers. Reb stepped forward, a sly grin playing on her lips, clearly feeding off the audience's electric anticipation. With no words she shuffled and moved her mic into place and started strumming her guitar.
And what came next was something no one saw coming — an acoustic rendition of How Bizarre, the 1996 global pop hit by New Zealand’s own Pauly Fuemana. It was a song that defined a generation, and Reb, in her inimitable style, twisted it into something entirely new, a haunting homage draped in her signature dark-folk mystique.
Dave Khan’s keyboard hammered gently, setting a moody, stripped-back tone. The familiar tune was instantly recognisable, but Reb’s rendition was miles away from the sun-soaked original. Her voice, deep and rich with emotion, turned the playful lyrics into something introspective, almost melancholic. Karin Canzek’s bass lines were delicate, yet full of groove, while Earl Robertson’s subtle percussion added a heartbeat-like pulse, anchoring the song’s dreamy reinterpretation.
The crowd was entranced. It was a masterstroke of a cover — unexpected, intimate, and hauntingly beautiful. You could see the recognition and nostalgia wash over the audience as they sang along softly, a shared moment of connection in the most surprising of ways. Reb’s rendition of How Bizarre was a reminder of her ability to take something familiar and infuse it with a new, deeper meaning, making it entirely her own.
As the final chord rang out, the room exploded into a rapture of applause once more. People whooped, hollered, and clapped until their hands turned red, a fitting end to a night that had taken us through a whirlwind of emotions. The band waved their final goodbyes, clearly moved by the overwhelming response, before disappearing offstage for the last time. The house lights came up slowly, bathing the now-sweaty, exhilarated crowd in a warm glow, and we all knew we had witnessed something truly special.
As we filed out of the venue, the buzz was undeniable. Politics aside, Reb Fountain proved once again why she’s one of New Zealand’s most compelling live acts. Whether you came for the music or the message, you left with an experience you won’t soon forget. And isn’t that what great live music is all about?
Set List
- Swim To The Star
- Hawks and Doves
- Fisherman
- Beastie
- Lacuna
- One Way Trip
- Faster
- Dance With Death
- Hey Mom
- How Love Bends
- Come Down
- Forever
- Memorial
- Don't You Know Who I Am
Encore:
- How Bizarre
Reviewer: Paul Marshall
Photography by Paul Marshall
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