Live at The Powerstation
15 May 2025
Live Review by Music Journalist: Paul Marshall
From Trampolines to Insta Fame: Will Swinton Leaps into the Spotlight at the Powerstation.
On a crisp Auckland evening, the Powerstation’s iconic façade was dwarfed by a snaking queue of fans stretching down the block. Tonight’s show was sold out, and it felt like the internet had spilled into real life: ring lights flashed, content was being created in real-time, and anyone not in attendance probably knew it already thanks to a tidal wave of Instagram Stories, TikToks, and Snapchats. This was more than a concert — it was clout currency.
Local support Will Swinton took the stage with a minimalist three-piece setup — just drums, guitar, and his own heavily processed vocals. Swinton, a former full-timer at Auckland’s Jump trampoline park (yes, really), has clearly bounced into something much bigger. His opening track Hold You Again hit hard, his voice already in fourth gear, swimming in reverb and delay effects that gave the set a moody, futuristic edge.
“Fucking hell, there’s lots of you!” he said with a grin, clearly impressed with the turnout. It was one of many moments where Swinton’s humility and humour landed with charm.
Drummer Harry Ingram was the secret weapon — his work behind the Ludwig kit was razor-sharp, peppered with silky fills and elegant rolls that gave the set an almost jazz-influenced fluidity. Still, the absence of a bass or keys player left the sound a little hollow at times, particularly during the slower tracks, where the low end begged for more depth.
“We’ve got one slow song for you, and then we’ll bring it back up,” Swinton warned — and he delivered on the promise. While the ballad Wasted You hinted at emotional range, it was the uptempo grooves that really got the early crowd moving.
Fun fact: recently US superstar Kelly Clarkson covered Swinton's song Flames, and based on tonight's performance, it’s easy to hear why. Swinton is a name to keep tabs on — a bedroom pop craftsman turning into a stage-ready performer with global appeal.
Set List:
- Hold You Again
- Need You Now
- Cant Let Go
- Wasted You
- I Still Need You Babe
- Cold
- Flames
- Daydream
- Burning Alone
- Walls
Reviewer: Paul Marshall
Photography by Paul Marshall
WATCH THE LIVE VIDEO at Paul Was There -