Gig Review: This Place Here @ Kōmanawa Theatre, Te Puna Creative Hub, Auckland – 23/05/2026

This Place Here was the kind of event that could only truly be understood by those who experienced it firsthand. Months of relentless planning and behind-the-scenes dedication culminated in something far greater than a standard live show. Having witnessed the sheer scale of effort poured into this production by the musicians, crew, venue staff, and promoters alike, I can only feel immense gratitude for being able to see it come to life.

Swap Gomez (Tom Scott, CHAII) is a multi-disciplinary creative whose work spans filmmaking, drumming, live events, and education. With over two decades of industry experience, beginning his journey in music at just 12 years old, Gomez has developed a rare ability to merge the many moving parts of live entertainment into a singular artistic direction. That experience was evident throughout the evening, as every visual cue, musical transition, and atmospheric detail felt meticulously designed. More than simply curating a concert, Gomez directed an experience that blurred the lines between performance art, community, and ancestral storytelling.

Deliberately described by Swap Gomez as “not a diversity project,” This Place Here instead felt like the full realisation of his creative vision. Every detail felt intentional, immersive, and fuelled by a passion that one does not achieve by sitting around doing nothing. If you’ve ever imagined a live performance that was equally cinematic as it was intimate, with an accumulative band of 20 musicians, I’d say you’re lying… because this, I can guarantee, has never been done before. Hosted at Te Puna Creative Hub, the space itself harnessed the beauty of the night and allowed his dream to fully come to life. A set design like no other, with old-school TVs, suitcases, Moroccan lamps, plants, Persian rugs, and visuals spilling across a perfectly divided white backdrop, giving everything space to breathe and come alive.

Featuring a global ensemble, the musicians behind This Place Here brought an incredible level of artistry to the stage: Swap Gomez on drums, Shekhar Gomes (his father) on harmonium, Guy Harrison on keys, Jy Lee on saxophone and flute, Alan Brown on keys, Sargam Madhur on sitar, Basant Madhur on tabla, Stephen Small on keys, Shizuka Kashima on violin, Kenji Iwamitsu-Holdaway on guitar, Mavs Adegbite on djembe, Huming Wu on guzheng, Ayar Khomus on khomus, Rasoul Abbasi on kamancheh, Great South on taonga pūoro, Antonio Karam on berimbau/ngoni, and Mahsuni Mutlu on bağlama. Together, the collective created an experience that wove together migrant stories, feeling, appreciation of time and space, family and friendship, connection, and so much more than just diversity. The music resonated most deeply with the players themselves, and that sincerity could be felt throughout the entire room.

Some origins of the night include Aotearoa (Māori), China, India, Bangladesh, Japan, Iran, Turkey, the Republic of Sakha, Korea, Mexico, and Nigeria, creating a mix of people and distinct energies. Each piece carried its own history, language, and emotional weight, yet together they formed a deep reflection of migration, identity, family, memory, and belonging.

A homage to art itself, an ode to hard work, love, and spirit, This Place Here turned heads and brought tears, and will be etched into the history of music in Aotearoa. Watch this space for upcoming projects from Swap Gomez and his team of groundbreakers; nights like this don’t just pass, they become history.

Photo Credit: Kirsty Donoghue: Te Puna Creative Hub