10/04/2026

Silk Cut & Echomatica – Whammy Bar: April 9, 2026 (13th Floor Concert Review)

New Zealand indie bands Silk Cut and Echomatica brought both of their distinct styles to the Whammy Bar stage last night – spanning ethereal alt dream pop, through to the shoegaze wall-of-sound punk rock.

From the moment I arrived at the venue, it was clear this was a gig featuring passionate New Zealand artists. Ones that are confident in their sound and their place in the music scene. Band members roamed the bar, sipping on bourbon and cokes, chatting to their supporters, Whammy Bar staff and the sound technician. Relaxed, comfortable, with a hint of excited anticipation to play live for the gathered audience.

Echomatica

Echomatica took to the stage first with their signature alt/indie flavour, sprinkled with ethereal dream pop vocals. Throughout the four-piece band’s set, the connection with their audience was authentic and intimate. Electronic synth and percussion laid down the pulse for their first song Heartbeat, with layered soft, clean guitar over top. Vocalist Charlie Maclean began in a whisper-singing voice that echoed across the stage and out into the waiting audience. With the reverb effect heavy on her mic her lyrics collaged to create an imitation of a frayed, rushing heartbeat.

Flowers brought the guitars into the spotlight, with driving riffs that echoed throughout the room above the smooth bass line. Comfort me had masterful vocals and the kind of raw emotion that belongs in the climax of a 90s rom com where the lead actress runs through the rain desperate to catch her love interest before he boards a plane. Billed “a bit weird,” by the frontwoman, Love Isn’t Always entranced the crowd with a carefully controlled sway-and-ponder-the-world vibe.

Technicolour and Sundays came in with upbeat synth and guitar, the bass riffs shining through underneath. Hazy lighting suited the presence of What Is This, which began with distorted guitar chords, the vocals emerging through the wall of suspended sound. Then Something continued with the plodding bass lines, the crowd locked in a synchronised gentle-swaying dance.

Pretending We’re Human reverberated through the venue, a guitar section towards the end erupting like a helicopter preparing to take flight – shaking the floor beneath our feet in a beautiful, emotive, textured moment of release. Their final song Waves crashed down with a swell of almost punk rock echoing through the space.

Echomatica had a well-planned set that fittingly began quieter and warmed up with the audience, culminating in a performance that laid the groundwork for Silk Cut to turn up the volume.

Silk Cut

The intermission music cut out. A prerecorded track began. The strip of LED bulbs around the top of the stage flashed with blue lights. Ch-ch-ch-ch check a voice rang out. The ‘announcer’ track introduced Silk Cut to the stage as an “indie pop jandal gaze band,” and the four musicians trooped onto stage with a practiced air. The band launched into their opening song Friendly Skies with an energetic drum beat, guitars and bass entering together to create a powerful first impression. Guitarist Andrew Thorne took the lead vocal on the first track, though the lead vocals would switch throughout the set between him and fellow guitarist Justin McLean.

It’s Always You had an ingrained groove, and the band were now relaxing into their set, dancing at their mics. Clearly well-rehearsed and excited to be playing to a receptive audience. In Turning The Whole World On, vocal harmonies between the two lead singers and bassist/backing vocalist Aidan Phillips created the ground for a singalong and the fans in the audience who knew the lyrics did just that.

Then it was a one-two-three-four drumstick beat from drummer Jayden Lee to kick into Losing Everybody. Mid-set track Manta Ray featured a ripping guitar solo, and a full-band tight guitar section with a whammy pedal guitar dripping over top. The band then covered Keeping You In Mine – a song by New Zealand band Bike formed in the 90s – clearly a favourite of the band, as the guitarists leaned into each other and played in conversation with one another at the front of the stage. Justin McLean tapped his foot along with the rhythm of Death Of Us, fully relaxed and confident in his own musicality and stage presence. Ten Feet Tall brought with it an accented 90s Brit punk rock feeling, with a more muted, twangy harmonised vocal groove.

The band had a false start with Corridors of Light, a few bars into the song declaring that they needed to try that again. It was a moment that showcased the experience of the band as there was no sweating about it. They regrouped and restarted the song, giving it everything, with seasoned professionalism. After all, that’s how live music goes. It’s not about having every moment perfect, it’s about being able to lean into the messiness that can happen with grace.

Then Heavy Lifting was characterised by a deeper vocal and a clean, grooving bass. Over top the band filled the gaps with popping, higher-pitched guitars. The crowd loved it, moving as one in time to the song. They moved into a fuller drum flourish for Good Morning, adding a touch of textured reverb effect on the mic.

Silk Cut’s final song Godlike I slowed down the room. Suspended chords rippled and rolled like the calm before the storm for the vocals to radiate through. Each instrument slowly layered back into the song until the full band roared in to contrast the quieter beginning. The storm had arrived. For this last song of the evening, they chose to have extended instrumental with features for the whole band showcasing their musicianship grooving audience lapping it up. To finish: big cymbal crashes, power chords, and flashing lights.

Last night was a true example of heartfelt, soulful live music experiences that only seem to become more vital – with musicians who are vibing together and just enjoying being on stage. That enjoyment is infectious and, I think, brings out the best in the crowd, too. Both Echomatica and Silk Cut gave us a show to be proud of last night. They made clear their shared experience and musicianship, crafting an evening that felt freeing to witness.

E.J. Rzepecky

Click on any image to view a photo gallery:

Silk Cut: