Gig Review: Blindspott w/ I Am Giant @ Semenoff Stadium, Whangārei – 06/03/2026

Launching straight into one of their hit songs, Purple Heart, from their first chart-topping album, The Horrifying Truth, I Am Giant, set the tone for the night, proving why they remain one of New Zealand’s most respected rock acts. The stage erupted in a surge of lights and smoke, immediately elevating the atmosphere of the night, while a wall of sound rang out razor-sharp and thunderously clear.

For any listener of The Rock FM, familiar tunes drew the crowd in, bodies bopping and swaying in perfect cohesion.

Let It Go was a standout for me and singer Ed Martin commanded the stage, hitting soaring high notes, giving an impressive performance and maintaining a stage presence that kept the crowd engaged throughout the show. Aja Timu took over lead vocals for Playing With Fire from album Life In Captivity, which treated the fans to a slightly different vocal tone, all while shredding textured riffs on the guitar and whipping his long hair in front of his face as he wore it like a mask.

Paul Matthews was on form, dancing his bass around the stage, delivering pounding grooves that locked the band together in momentum. The play-off between Paul and guitarist Andrew Kerr was dynamic, with Andrew giving it hell before returning to the stage later for Blindspott, as with drummer, Shelton Woolright, who was, as always, an absolute force – driving the set forward with his trademark high energy, relentlessly elevating each track. 

They finished the set with their top hits and crowd favourites – Neon Sunrise, which had people singing along to every word, and City Limits – leaving everyone amped.

If I could sum up Blindspott in one word, it would simply be ‘incredible’. 

As a fan of the band for over two decades, seeing them perform live again felt less like a gig and more like stepping back in time, to a defining era of New Zealand Rock. 

I had high hopes for this show and it certainly did not disappoint. The music is still powerful, still relevant and nostalgic, and it had me singing and screaming along to every note, as the lyrics I forgot I knew came rushing back as if inscribed deep within my subconscious. I wasn’t the only one, longtime fans, as well as newer ones, pushed against each other, smiles everywhere, people hugging each other, fists and horns in the air and voices shouting every word back at the stage. 

The set pulled heavily from their iconic, #1 multi-platinum debut album (which was produced by I Am Giant bassist, Paul Matthews, and released back in 2002), with the crowd erupting to tracks like Room to Breathe, Lit Up and S.U.I.T., reminding everyone just how raw and explosive Blindspott really is. 

Frontman Damien Alexander looked like he was having the time of his life, fully immersing himself in his performance, absolutely in his element, shifting effortlessly between melody and raspy screams. Toward the end of the night he threw himself into the audience and crowd surfed, while still belting out vocals, perfectly capturing the vibe of the night.

Guitarist and backing vocalist, Brandon Reihana delivered crushing riffs and screams that added an extra layer of depth and gave me goosebumps. On bass, Dan Insley prowled the stage, plucking powerhouse lines with formidable gravitas, while Andrew brought massive guitar tone and flawless precision. Behind the kit, Shelton unleashed a second set, manically thrashing the skins like a whirlwind, intensity unrelenting from start to finish.

Tracks for their other albums End the Silence and Vol. 3, were sprinkled through, great to hear live for the first time, favourite being Yours Truly and R.I.P (Rest in Pieces), showcasing an impressive catalogue.

By the end of the night, the encore, including Mind Dependency (one of my favourites) and Nil by Mouth left the crowd sweaty, hoarse and on a high, reminded of why we come to live shows – to feel, to lose ourselves in the music and to leave feeling utterly alive.

For me personally, it was one of those shows where you realise just how deeply a band has been the soundtrack to your life. A feeling hard to beat. More than twenty years on, Blindspott aren’t just revisiting the past; they’re proving why those songs still matter.

If you haven’t boarded the Blindspott train yet, now’s your chance; I highly recommend you give them a listen and get to a live show if you can. With four more stops on their tour – Christchurch, Hamilton, Invercargill and Dunedin – get ready for a night to remember!

Photo Credit: Jenny Feaver Photography for Muzic.NZ
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