Gig Review: Devilskin @ The Factory, Hamilton – 20/06/2025

It has been a few months since Homegrown, so my cravings for some live rock had become relentless. I had a hunch tonight’s lineup would be stellar – and as usual, I was right. The venue was a little shabby and in need of some TLC, but that didn’t dampen the spirits of the motley crew sporting their best Devilskin shirts and cracking the Jim Beams. The Re-Evolution NZ tour is timed ahead of Devilskin’s upcoming album release in July, and what better way to celebrate than by touring with other longstanding Kiwi rock icons?

A generous crowd had already gathered by the time Tauranga’s formidable duo, Midwave Breaks, took the stage. Lemonade Hand Grenade is an absolute banger and an excellent choice for their setlist. With Springsteen, Petty, Cornell, and Vedder as their influences, I noticed the Cornell and Vedder tones in Conlon’s voice. While they may be a two-piece, they make up for small numbers with impressive talent and an undeniable connection with the audience. Before wrapping up their set and heading to the merch stand, they treated us to a wicked performance of Souvenirs, featuring drummer Paul Russell’s tasty pre-chorus breakdown and Conlon’s warm, emotive vocals.

Next up was my first time seeing Villainy live, and it didn’t take long to see why they’ve snagged multiple Aotearoa Music Awards and opened for international legends like AC/DC and Halestorm. They kicked things off in style with an introduction of Careless Whisper, leading into a drum intro from Dave Johnston and catapulting us into Safe Passage. If you’re just starting to get into their music, be warned – this is the gateway to a full-on Villainy addiction. Neill Fraser’s live vocals were sharp and powerful, nailing the screaming parts during their Deftones cover. It was hard to pick who to focus on during their set, as I was equally mesmerized by the headbanging and the skinny jeans.

The setlist was packed with energy and excitement. It was awesome to hear Dreams live, especially since it gets so much airtime on Rock FM. Thomas Watts (guitar) blew the crowd away with an epic behind-the-head guitar shred during their belter, Alligator Skin, which some might say was only slightly cooler than his t-shirt featuring a picture of Kirikiriroa. The feature of Creed’s One Last Breath in the middle of –Cut – was an expert move, nobody can resist belting that chorus, leading to a wholesome moment singing altogether with the band. Despite a technical hitch, the crowd were kept entertained with Watt’s best dad jokes. Honestly, I wouldn’t have minded if the night had ended there, but we were spoiled with a triple-threat lineup.

I’ve been lucky enough to catch the multi-platinum rockers, Devilskin, a few times over the past two years. It’s always a pleasure to see the Hamilton locals, especially when they’re performing in their stomping grounds. You can tell it must be a treat for them to be performing with home just around the corner! Jennie Skulander’s lead vocals never fail to blow me away, mixing powerful growls with deep, velvety melodies. I was thrilled they performed their cover of Heart’s Barracuda, a perfect match of hard rock mastery and powerful female vocals.

Nail and Paul were as charismatic as ever, making full use of the stage and engaging with the crowd, adding another layer of energy to the performance. We got a sneak peek of one of their new tracks, along with iconic favourites such as Revolution, Corrode, and Endo. Devilskin never drops the bar when it comes to their performances, and I’d recommend their shows to anyone who enjoys rock music and deep, emotive lyrics. I can’t wait to listen to Re-Evolution upon its release next month. Based on what we got a sneak peak of tonight; I can tell some quality rock tunes are in store.

Each band kept to their set times, the crowd was well-behaved, and a real highlight was the chance to grab some merch and chat with the bands – Midwave Breaks and Villainy included. The girls running the merch stand were a hoot, getting people amped up for their new shirts, and the silent auction for an autographed cymbal (crossing my fingers for the young chap who put down a bid of $500). The genuine, chilled-out vibe of the attendees and the bands were the cherry on top of a stellar gig. Doesn’t get more Kiwi than that in my opinion.

Go and get your tickets people, the chaos will be coming to a town near you!

Photo Credit: Aaron Christiansen for Muzic.NZ
Devilskin Photo Gallery
Villainy Photo Gallery
Midwave Breaks Photo Gallery