Gig Review: Libbianski @ Churchills Tavern, Christchurch – 17/04/2026

Churchills Tavern was properly packed and buzzing on Friday night. The show was loud, raw and real and each band brought a new level of depth that made it one to remember.

I can’t review my own band Crisis, but Tom from Libbianski was kind enough to review our whole set for us. Big ups to Tom!

Within the first few minutes I felt angry – like an “I wanna smash bottles at the local park” type vibe. This of course was helped by the vocalist who was like a caveman preacher conducting the crowd into a violent mess of flesh while the band pumped an assault of rhythm and riffs. As someone who hasn’t had much of a foray into hardcore, I genuinely wanted a time machine to take me back so that I could smash my body around and eventually eat shit smashing my head into another person’s skull. For their second reported outing, this is a band that smashed it.

Second were hometown heroes Saint Peter’s Thursday. The dead filthy grunge trio from Ōtautahi (Anand Yoganathan on vocals/guitar, Aaron Wildermoth on vocals/bass, Sam Lane on drums) have been a proper mainstay in the Christchurch scene since forming in 2014, and they’ve built up an almost cult following for good reason.

They came out swinging with their signature dirty, bluesy grunge sound – thick, sludgy riffs mixed with that raw post-punk energy. Anand’s powerful vocals cut through the mix with real bite while Aaron’s bass tones rumbled low and heavy, and Sam’s drumming burst with chaotic energy that kept everything driving forward.

They powered through a set full of massive grooves, raw attitude, and those cathartic, sweat-drenched moments that make their live shows so addictive.

The crowd was nodding along early, loosening up fast, and by the end of their set the room was properly warmed up and ready for more. A strong, character-filled hometown performance that reminded everyone why Saint Peter’s Thursday are one of the most reliable live draws in the 03 and I believe also one of the best.

Next up was Slur, the four-piece from the swamps of Waihopai (Hanna on bass, Lachlan on drums, Sean on guitar and Jordan on vocals) delivering their heavy and cathartic sound in the flesh. Their self-titled debut EP has been getting plenty of love for good reason – a short, crushing 17-minute beast full of churning riffs, thick low end, and massive atmospheric swells live, as well as on other dope tracks.

Live, it all translated even harder. They hit the stage with that same raw, honest edge, the bass and drums locking in tight while the guitars created huge swirling walls of sound. Jordan’s vocals cut through with genuine feeling, shifting between cleans and rawer delivery that sucked the room in deep.

A proper emotional release in Churchills. If anything, they hit even harder in person than on record. The energy, the tightness, the way the songs breathe on stage.

it was one of those sets where you walk away properly impressed. A hell of a live band that clearly means it.

Then it was time for the touring three-piece Libbianski from Wellington (Kurt Williams on guitar/vocals, Nat Reid on bass/vocals, Tom LaHatte on drums). These shoegaze/blackgaze and alt metal merchants brought a huge wall of immersive sound, drawing on the momentum from releases like Useless Splendour and their newer Episode 1 EP. But beyond all of that, you could tell they were already looking to the future. Since then they’ve released a new track, One Day Before, and hearing it live made it clear that this new era of Libbianski is something to be genuinely excited about – one you don’t want to miss.

Layers of fuzzy guitars, dreamy but yet heavy vocals, and driving rhythms filled the room, creating that swirling, atmospheric vibe they do so well. Tom’s tight drumming anchored the whole thing while the guitars created massive textures that swallowed the room in the best way. Kurt and Nat are both incredible vocalists and complement each other so well.

I became an instant fan and I can’t wait to see them again. Libbianski are dope and this night showed exactly why they’re one of the more interesting acts coming out of Aotearoa right now.

Final Verdict: 9/10

Such a dope night at Churchills. Crisis got things firing, Saint Peter’s Thursday told everyone what was up and co-headliners Slur and Libbianski brought the noise from out of town and highlighted they are top of their game.

If you’re into loud, honest live music with real weight and atmosphere, you would’ve loved this one.