The Brian Jonestown Massacre – The Powerstation: March 17, 2026 (13th Floor Concert Review)
The Brian Jonestown Massacre, the compelling American neo-psych rock band originally born in San Francisco, in 1990, by Anton Newcombe. Made infamous by the DIG! TV documentary with The Dandy Warhols in 2004. Notorious for crankin’ out albums at a superhuman rate, and for escapades on stage that portend punk attitude in their formula of neo-psychedelica.
Frequent visitors to Aotearoa, Newcombe’s affinity with Flying Nun folk, means there are cultural links in play. Here, in 2023 at this very venue, The Brian Jonestown Massacre imploded later in Australia. But it seems all is well in the camp, as recent reviews report a resurrected band, delivering the goods, the good oil.
Voom
Full band, thank crikey, worried it might just be Buzz solo. “Hello Stoners” is his welcoming bellow, as Voom launched into a set of songs dominated by “the”, their hits. To a filling room, the four, sometimes five, delivered a sometimes subdued, but lovingly familiar renditions of classic 95bFM hits.
Beautiful Day peaked the crowds attention, as Relax, Beth and King Kong, strategically placed amongst others lesser known compositions, kept the people onside. Buzz’s chitter chatter was perhaps stifled by knowing they weren’t the main-course tonight. But as we waited, swaying, humming, singing along, B Your Boy, the finale song confirmed Voom as fine wine purveyors of lovers-indie-rock.
The Brian Jonestown Massacre
There’s a lot of guitars onstage, not including Newcombe’s impressive rack. Six musicians, and even the keyboardist – Emil Nikolaisen gets in on the guitar act at times. The Powerstation is pretty full, not sure if it’s a sell-out tonight. I know there are folk from The Waikato, the Bay of Plenty and the Horowhenua here tonight.
A slow start, a quiet start, Newcombe and his many are severely focussed on their performance, though, already bassist Hallberg Daði Hallbergsson is driving the set with drummer Tobias Humble (the new kid in the band). There’s little banter between songs. There are a lot of guitar changes, tuning up (those 12 string guitars) and drinking (mainly Anton) which gives opportunity for chatter, guitarist Ricky Maymi, poses like the son of Peter Frampton, denim, outstretched guitar, and his locks flowing in the fanned air. The couple in front of us titter.
Talk when it comes as praise of Flying nun bands, people and culture. He is somewhat dismissive of St Paddy’s day and is offended when the subject of beer is broached by a brave fan. Fudge comes forth, fourth and audience aroha emerges, a slow build as its melodies envelope, it’s not getting louder in the whare, but the vibe has arrived. The crowd dug it. Noticeably Mr tambourine Man – Joel Gion is working his way through tambourines and sticks, it’s all quite glorious as his contribution is not lost in the mix tonight.
As the night ebbs and flows, Anton and Hallberg jam together a lot, muse and muscian?, there is a lot of space in the aural aura, though again when the familiar – That Girl Suicide and later When Jokers Attack come, the energy levels step up, as the room swirls with the multiplicity of guitars, Anton continues with ‘Jokers’ long after the others, as if he wishes it to never end.
Tonight is unmistakable, faded is The Brian Jonestown Massacre riddled with chaotic splendour, abrasive babel. Rather time has possibly had its effect, the shoegaze element, always part of the band’s neo-psychedelic sound, has risen, rather than anethemic ruptures, tonight’s show is continuum of psychedelic shoegaze, swirling throughout the room. There is still the magick, the joy and the demands of precision, but rather oversight is no longer as a quarterstaff, rather it is guided by the hand in the velvet glove.
Simon Coffey
Click on any image to view a photo gallery by Den:
The Brian Jonestown Massarce:
Voom:
Setlist: Whoever You Are, Vacuum Boots, Stairway to the Best Party in the Universe, Fudge, #1 Lucky Kitty, Do Rainbows Have Ends?, Days, Weeks & Moths, That Girl Suicide, Don’t Let Me Get in Your Way, When Jokers Attack, Sailor, Lantern, Pish, Anemone, Vad Hände Med Dem?, Servo, Super-Sonic
