Live at Paraoa Brewing Co.
9 August 2025
Live Review by Music Journalist: Paul Marshall
Tiki Taane Tears Up Parāoa Brewing Co. with a One-Man Band Tornado.
The Parāoa Brewing Co. was transformed into a pulsating haven of sound and soul last night as Tiki Taane, Aotearoa’s genre-defying sonic alchemist, brought his One Man Band Show to the Hibiscus Coast for the first time. With DJ Axis as support, the night was a masterclass in live-looping wizardry, raw energy, and unfiltered connection with the crowd. What unfolded was less a concert and more a communal explosion of love, rhythm, and unadulterated musical craftsmanship that left the room buzzing.
The evening kicked off with DJ Axis (Rachel), Tiki’s longtime collaborator and wife, who set the stage ablaze with a set that sliced through the venue’s smoky haze like lasers on a battlefield. Dressed in a hypnotic light blue striped top, Axis was a vision of joy, jiggling to her own beats with a grin that radiated pure immersion. Her selections—a heady mix of Dub, House, Techno, and later, a blistering Drum & Bass closer—were impeccable. Tracks like Eddy Grant’s “Electric Avenue” and a reimagined “Original Sin” by Block & Crown had the room warming up, though the early crowd remained subdued, sipping beers and wines at tables, lost in chatter. Unbeknownst to many, Tiki himself was front and centre on the dance floor, grooving solo to Axis’ tunes with a fluidity that proved the man can move. In a moment of pure synergy, he joined her onstage during “Electric Avenue,” the couple dancing together in a display of charismatic unity that set the tone for the night.
As Axis peeled apart her set with surgical precision, Tiki played the doting partner, personally delivering drinks to keep her hydrated. Her mixes were seamless, each track a testament to her ability to make every song her own. The crowd, initially reserved, began to loosen up, drawn in by her infectious energy and the cracking beats that filled the room. By the time she wrapped her opening set, the stage was primed for Tiki’s arrival.
When Tiki Taane took the stage, it was like a tornado touched down—not destructive, but a force of nature that swept everyone into its orbit. Armed with nothing but his instruments, his voice, and an arsenal of live-looping pedals, Tiki built each song from the ground up, layering vocal clicks, hoots, guitar plucks, and percussive hits into grooves that felt both primal and futuristic. “There’s no backing tracks, no trickery,” he declared to the crowd, a mantra that underscored the raw authenticity of his performance. Every note, every rhythm was created live, a feat akin to watching a band construct a studio recording in real-time. It was fascinating, unique, and quintessentially Tiki. As he put it, “Every night’s different—no cheating.”
The set was a journey through his catalog, blending hits like the double-platinum “Always On My Mind” with new material that showcased his evolution as an artist. A standout moment came when Tiki, inspired by a bartender’s request, delivered a soulful rendition of “Serendipity,” dedicating it to the guy behind the bar who’d asked for it. The crowd erupted, their earlier restraint giving way to full-on engagement. Tiki’s ability to connect was palpable; he wasn’t just performing for the audience but with them. “I want you to dance and have a good time,” he urged, and the room obliged, bodies swaying and feet stomping to the infectious, danceable grooves.
Tiki’s versatility was on full display as he transformed his guitar into a bass for a gritty take on The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army,” the crowd roaring in approval as he laid down the iconic riff. His genre-bending prowess—Aotearoa’s bass culture pioneer at work—was a reminder of his roots with Salmonella Dub and his ongoing influence as a producer for acts like Shapeshifter and Six60. Yet, Tiki made it clear he’s beholden to no one but himself. “I’m an indie artist, no major labels, I do everything myself,” he told the crowd, gratitude dripping from his words. “Thanks to you beautiful people.”
As the night neared its climax, DJ Axis returned to the stage, and the duo unleashed a ferocious Drum & Bass and Dubstep onslaught. Tiki, now on vocals and live drums, traded energy with Axis as they tore through tracks like Concord Dawn’s “Don’t Tell Me” (featuring Tiki’s own vocals) and Hoax’s “Big Up,” which whipped the dance floor into a frenzy. The crowd, no longer content to sit, spilled onto the floor, dancing with abandon as the venue pulsed with raw, unfiltered energy. It was a testament to Tiki and Axis’ ability to unify a room, their chemistry as performers and partners elevating the night to something transcendent.
Tiki’s performance wasn’t just a concert; it was a statement. In an era of polished pop and pre-recorded tracks, his commitment to live creation—no shortcuts, no compromises—felt revolutionary. His quip about staying out of politics (“They’re all liars, and I’m not a liar”) landed with a chuckle, but it underscored his authenticity, a quality that permeates his music and his presence.
By the time the final notes rang out, Parāoa Brewing Co. was alight with the kind of communal joy only live music can ignite. Tiki Taane and DJ Axis didn’t just perform—they built a world, loop by loop, beat by beat, and invited everyone in. Whangaparāoa won’t soon forget the night Tiki’s tornado tore through, leaving only love and great music in its wake.
Reviewer: Paul Marshall
Photography by Paul Marshall
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