Gig Review: Kingston Rose @ Moon Bar, Wellington – 11/09/2025

In Aotearoa’s capital city, pop music is surprisingly against the grain. Pōneke thrives with quirky underground art and alternative tunes, but for those seeking commercially friendly bangers, it’s a surprisingly tough road to find an audience, where listeners often find the contemporary decidedly “uncool”. But Kingston Rose is as cool as they come.

Kicking off his second national tour this year at Moon, Newtown, Rose is hot on the heels of recently launching his own label Wilfred Records. He’s also boasting a new band line-up, a three-piece where he tackles the vocals, lead guitar, keys and tracks, whilst bandmates cover bass and drums.

The night starts with a set from openers Pony Grove which can only be described as profound. Composed of a double bass and acoustic guitar, Pony Grove hit play on digital files of ambient notes, then create surreal, stunningly dynamic instrumentals over the top. Their folksy sound would fit right at home on a video game soundtrack; voices around me suggest Red Dead Redemption or Firewatch. It’s cinematic and heartfelt, meandering in the best way. Each song is long and winding, but there’s a chemistry between the two performers and an intentionality to the rise and fall that makes sense. Even better, the rare moments that Pony Grove add lyrics hit all the harder because they are so sparse. The standout opening song, for example, tackles the hypocrisy of religion and impossible expectations within the church, in a way that feels emotionally charged and intense. Ultimately, this duo is an interesting contrast to the more upbeat, accessible style of the headliner’s set, but it makes for a thought-provoking experience that highlights the beautiful versatility of live music. Moreover, you can tell this is an act Kingston personally believes in, and when you’ve been entranced by Pony Grove yourself, you can see why.

Kingston Rose then takes the stage, unassuming and characteristically Kiwi in his self-deprecating humour, until he shows off his voice. This is what makes every one of his songs work. He is vocally dextrous and a true powerhouse, with an astounding falsetto range and a strong, deep belt. Each line from Kingston receives the utmost thought in its emotion. His laidback persona is exactly what draws the audience in. The instrumental elements are subtle and well-considered, providing the perfect backing for the lyrics and melodies where Rose truly shines.

The set mixes cuts from Rose’s album Violet Heartbreak in with some unreleased material. Game Plan is a punchy highlight, bringing the energy with a catchy narrative about anxiety in confused relationships. Meet Again is another standout. It’s wisely placed at the start of the set, lifting the mood of the night instantly with its quippy rhythmic style and slick basslines. It’s hard not to boogie along to these fun tunes, and the use of computerised tracks is pulled off smartly. The band are not overly reliant upon them, but use them to build sparks of interest through vocal effects and additional synths.

Those unfamiliar with Kingston’s originals can be reeled back in by his excellent covers. His rendition of Alicia Keys’ If I Ain’t Got You is utterly breathtaking. Although the audience clearly want to sing along, they’re reluctant to disrupt the amazing singing on display, not wanting to miss a moment of Rose’s own performance. His timbre and emotional delivery are a perfect fit for this soulful, bluesy sound.

There’s also an intimate sequence performed alongside fellow Muzic NZ and Wilfred Records collaborator Nina McMillin, who provides backing vocals for The 1975’s Somebody Else and two Billie Eilish covers. Nina and Kingston are right at home beside each other on stage. Their friendship is palpable and the moment highlights the community nature of the night overall. Over time, Kingston as an artist and label pioneer is building a support network of likeminded artists, and you can feel the magic of people coming together to back one another tonight.

Never Knew and No Man’s Land both add some more pumping pop moments to the setlist, both providing simple yet effective hooks that stick in the listener’s head long after the songs are over. The added texture from percussive shakers is both a great gimmick and a nice boost to make the songs even more danceable.

But the best performance of the night is the new track Don’t Even Know Why, to be released this Halloween. “So be scared”, Kingston jokes half-heartedly, and there’s a certain charisma to the quiet nature of his humour. All the more power to him for bantering with the crowd, who are relatively resigned tonight, but most definitely enjoying the show. In between songs, they hoot and holler, giving away that just because they’re seated and watching calmly does not mean they’re uninvested – quite the opposite. Don’t Even Know Why thrills them with its stacked, hyper tuned vocals and whipsmart chorus, in the vein of Rose’s favourite artists like Charlie Puth and Ed Sheeran. This is a song that could play on any radio station or music festival, and local pop lovers would be wise to support the release.

Within New Zealand’s music community, there are many underrated, independent gems who deserve all the success this country can offer. Kingston Rose is one of them. His focus and effort is commendable, and if you’re looking for something to do over the next several weeks, you don’t want to miss this tour, where he’s putting on a show with equal parts grassroots charm and undeniable, raw talent.