2004 Acoustic Tour Reviews

Bay Of Plenty Times

Runga's heavenly sound rocks church
 

Original content copyright 2004 to Bay Of Plenty Times

BIC Runga performs at Holy Trinity Church in Tauranga last night.
 

Original article is at:    Bay Of Plenty Times

Date:                          21 April, 2004

By:                             Kim Thomas

HEAVENLY melodies. The half-light of the Holy Trinity Church. An intimate setting with a few hundred fans.

From the moment Bic Runga slid her petite frame across an almost bare stage with a quiet ``Hi there, it's nice to see you'', her Bay audience was entranced.

From her first song, Honest Goodbyes, Runga delighted the crowd as her clear, sweet voice filled the Tauranga church.

Against a simple backdrop of white walls lit by a single coloured light at a time, the staging was intimate _ and perfect for Runga's soft, stirring sounds.

Runga's concert last night was the first of two in Tauranga and kicked off a national tour.

And what a way to begin.

It felt as though she was singing to each individual audience member in the spacious, comfortable venue.

Runga also took the opportunity to chat informally with her fans.

``Pretty dress, Bic,'' one woman called out from the audience.

``Thanks,'' Runga replied with a laugh.

The light banter continued as the relaxed singer giggled at enthusiastic reaction to well-known songs from her first album Drive and a selection of songs such as Gravity, Get Some Sleep and Listening to the Weather from Beautiful Collision.

``Oh my God, she's so little . . . and so beautiful . . . and that voice!'' one member of the crowd was heard to exclaim as Runga worked her magic on the crowd.

She told the audience how excited she was at finding a great op shop in Waihi and to be sure to say hello to her if they passed her in the street.

Being the first venue on Runga's tour, Tauranga was given what was probably the most unpolished and candid version of her show.

For most in the audience, this was a positive rather than negative experience.

``You could see she was settling in _ it felt like you were listening to her in a her living-room playing with some friends,'' said one fan.

Among those accompanying Runga on her tour are Melbourne singer/songwriter Tim Guy and old friend and former band member Ben Maitland _ who backed the singer on guitar at different times during the night.

Runga has been producing Guy's first album for the past year and the Australian sang five songs before New Zealand's musical darling came on stage.

Guy's quirky, somewhat folksy tunes received a mixed reception from the audience _ some describing him as ``weird and off-beat'', while others appreciated hearing something ``new and different''.

Back in New Zealand from touring as a solo act in Europe, Runga told the audience it was good to be home.

``I've been practising doing a show alone in Europe and always wanted to do one here in New Zealand.''

Though the idea is relatively uncommon in New Zealand _ Runga was inspired for the church concerts after performing at the Union Chapel in London.

Although her career had taken off overseas, her shift from New Zealand had not been without drama, Runga said.

Tripping over in her high heels shoes during a concert in France, Runga broke her foot _ giving new meaning to performers' term ``break a leg''.

With one successful concert under her belt and the second in Tauranga tonight sold out, one thing is certain: Runga won't be relying on luck as she continues her tour.

Original content copyright 2004 to Bay Of Plenty Times