Gig Review: Devilskin @ Mercury Baypark, Tauranga – 31/07/2026

A decade after the release of Be Like The River – the album that catapulted Devilskin to one of New Zealand’s biggest rock acts – the Hamilton four-piece are back on the road celebrating and showcasing the gold-certified album that changed everything.

Joining them at Stadium Lounge, Mercury Baypark, were (South Auckland’s) The Boondocks and (Taranaki’s) Courtnay & The Unholy Reverie. Three Kiwi bands. Three completely different flavours of rock. One bloody good line-up.

It was one of those bitterly cold winter evenings that make you question whether leaving the couch is really worth it but judging by the queue snaking outside the venue, for any fan of Devilskin, hibernating this night just wasn’t an option. The security and door staff deserve a shout-out – despite standing out in the freezing cold all night, they were genuinely welcoming, friendly and had everyone through the doors with a smile.

Before a note had been played, Stadium Lounge carried that familiar pre-show electricity. Inside, black band shirts outnumbered every other colour in the room. Bogans from across the Bay of Plenty merged into one. My fellow middle-agers, seasoned rock veterans, those prime young bucks that don’t need multiple energy drinks to see the end of a night and even a few youngsters experiencing live rock for what may have been the first time – it was a proper cross-section of the Devilskin family.

It had been nine years since I’d last seen Devilskin live, making this anniversary tour the perfect opportunity to experience just how far the band had evolved.

Courtnay & The Unholy Reverie

Bathed in deep red lighting and surrounded by a smoky haze drifting through the venue to create a moody backdrop that perfectly suited the band’s dark, blues-infused rock sound – Courtnay & The Unholy Reverie kicked things off exactly as you’d hope – with full noise and plenty of energy – immediate, confident and infectious.

It was my second time seeing the band live, and I wouldn’t expect anything less. They wasted no time making an impression on new ears.

There was only one thing hanging in the air, thicker than the smoke and the familiar live show smell of natural gas, and apparently that was poo jokes – Thanks to the Dunedin ‘incident’. 

Of course, no Courtnay set would be complete without a healthy dose of humour – the audience was treated to the awkward origin story behind drummer James’ nickname, ‘Turtle Head’. Later, a tinder-swiping fail tale about Riley and after a well-timed wolf-whistle chirped out from the audience, Courtnay shot back with a quick “I’m assuming that’s for James” – all perfectly reflecting the band’s relaxed personality and ability to connect with the crowd between songs. 

Humour aside, Courtnay’s voice is something special – one that instantly demands attention. Her ability to transition effortlessly between soaring, crystal-clear higher notes and a gritty rasp is genuinely captivating. Those contrasting textures never felt forced; instead they flowed seamlessly. She’s got some serious pipes – the kind that could comfortably command much bigger stages.

Keith’s backing vocals wrapped around hers beautifully, and with the exceptional front-of-house mix, Stadium Lounge delivered some of the cleanest live sound I’ve experienced in recent memory. Every instrument occupied its own space without overpowering another.

The band debuted Imposter Syndrome, and if first impressions count for anything, it’s another strong addition to their catalogue.

Riley on guitar unleashed an outstanding solo during the penultimate song, absolutely tearing the fretboard to pieces with blistering, full-blown shredding that drew cheers from across the room. 

As someone usually buried somewhere in hardcore and metalcore playlists, I don’t often wander into this style of rock but Courtnay & The Unholy Reverie has completely won me over – proving that great songwriting, solid musicianship and exceptional vocals transcend genres. Their music has already earned a place on my summer barbecue playlist – and if they’re not already on yours, they probably should be.

The Boondocks

The Boondocks were next to take the stage, and if anyone still believes a two-piece band can’t produce a massive live sound, they clearly haven’t seen Scott Parker and Branden Pritchard perform together. 

The duo exploded into their set with relentless energy. Scott seemed incapable of standing still, charging from one side of the stage to the other while somehow never missing a cue, smashing out riff after riff while delivering vocals that were gritty, powerful and consistent. Seriously… What a voice! All the while, Branden was giving the drums an absolute hiding, somehow keeping perfect time while looking like he was having the night of his life. 

Perhaps the most enjoyable aspect of their performance wasn’t simply the music, but the chemistry between the pair. The little smiles, the nods, those silent “you ready?” moments before launching into another explosive section – you can’t fake that. That’s two mates who genuinely love playing music together and enjoy every second of it, showing the audience what they are made of.

Their latest single Drive slotted perfectly into the set, alongside another still-to-be released track Until We Die – leaving the crowd wanting more. Judging by the audience response, there are plenty of reasons to follow The Boondocks and keep watching what they do next. 

Messaging the boys the next day, jokingly, the request to “Just say we’re the best band ever” – my response – “Wouldn’t be lying.” 

Just like Courtnay & the Unholy before and Devilskin after, each of these bands bring something unique – they each sit in their own lane and are brimming with talent. There’s no doubt that ‘The Boonies’ are New Zealand’s next big thing. 

Devilskin

Everyone knew what was coming next – no one left their spot for fear of missing out. By the time the stage was reset and lights dimmed for the evening’s headliners, the anticipation was tangible. Fans pressed closer to the stage, with the occasional death growl being let out like a mating call of like-minded comrades, phone cameras came out and every eye fixed forward.

The roar that greeted Devilskin as they stepped onto the stage left little doubt about who the crowd had come to see and that they are one of Aotearoa’s favourites. 

The immediate command of the stage from the entire band set the tone for the rest of the set. Put simply – they’re just f**ken COOL!

What made the performance even more remarkable was knowing that vocalist Jennie Skulander had been hit with the flu and had come close to pulling out of the show. If she hadn’t addressed it herself, you would never have guessed. Her voice was crisp, controlled and incredibly powerful throughout the night, effortlessly moving between haunting melodies and the fierce vocals that have become synonymous with Devilskin’s sound.

Rather than allowing illness to dictate the performance, Jennie turned it into little more than a footnote. She remained fully engaged with the audience, encouraging singalongs, flinging herself across the stage, utilising every inch, sharing genuine moments with fans and proving once again why she is regarded as one of the country’s finest rock frontwomen. Screams of encouragement “We love you Jennie”, “You got this Jennie” – showing heartfelt support and gratitude for her through the show. 

Next to her, guitarist Tony ‘Nail’ Vincent was a constant source of energy. Whether launching into razor-sharp riffs or soaring solos, he barely stopped moving, bouncing across the stage with the enthusiasm of someone performing in front of thousands rather than a packed intimate venue. His playing was, as expected, flawless – tight, aggressive when it needed to be and beautifully melodic when the songs called for restraint.

Equally impressive was the rhythm section of Paul Martin on bass and Nic Martin on drums. Together they formed the backbone of the band’s unmistakable sound, locking in with precision. Nic’s drum solo provided one of the night’s biggest instrumental highlights, earning an enthusiastic response from an audience that appreciated both his technical ability and sheer power behind the kit.

Stripping back the layers of distortion with the acoustic Closer highlighted the strength of the band’s songwriting and ability to diversify. 

One of the most heartwarming moments came during Corrode. Four young kids, up on the barrier in front of me, completely mesmerised from the first song to the last with smiles never leaving their faces; their patience was rewarded when Tony and Paul tossed guitar picks into the crowd – myself and those around me collecting them for the young fans, to make sure every one of those kids went home with a souvenir. I didn’t even see one being thrown, yet it landed right in my hand and for a split second I thought ‘This is going straight to the pool room’ but seeing the fresh face of the little man in front of me, looking around the floor for his prize, I gave it up. A reminder that live music has a unique way of creating lifelong memories in just a few fleeting seconds.

It was a perfect example of what has always made Devilskin so accessible. Despite their heavy sound, there is an undeniable warmth about the band. They never feel distant from their audience; instead, every interaction comes across as genuine and appreciative. That’s what I love about the rock community. Heavy music. Soft hearts.

Swelter was a personal highlight, its emotional weight resonating just as strongly live as it does on record and Jennie’s appearance with the megaphone during F.Y.I injected another burst of intensity into the night, drawing huge cheers from the crowd as the band leaned into one of the heavier moments of the set.

The band’s cover of Barracuda was another standout – Devilskin attacked it with confidence, making it feel like a natural extension of their own catalogue rather than simply paying tribute.

The setlist delivered a satisfying mix of fan favourites and anniversary material, keeping the audience engaged from beginning to end. Hearing those songs performed live a decade later served as a reminder of just how well they’ve stood the test of time.

Reflecting on the evening as a whole, what stood out most wasn’t simply the quality of the musicianship – exceptional across all three bands, but the sense of community that filled Stadium Lounge from the first support act to the final encore. 

If this Be Like The River anniversary tour proves anything, it’s that great songs don’t fade with age – they grow stronger through the people who continue to sing every word back and with Devilskin as a band – there’s plenty left in the tank yet.

Photo Credit: Aaron Christiansen for Muzic.NZ
Photos are from BNZ Theatre, Hamilton show on 1 August 2026.