Gig Review: Matariki Moshpit @ Abandoned, Petone – 10/07/2026

Matariki – the Māori New Year and a time to replenish, come together, and remember, so what better way to celebrate all three by squeezing three bands into a corner stage, bringing with them plenty of pūngao, and us punters remembering it all in a room that only got louder as the night went on.

Welcome to Matariki Moshpit at Abandoned, Petone.

If you haven’t had the pleasure of acquainting yourself with Abandoned Petone before, it’s a much talked about craft beer bar not much bigger than a postage stamp really, but who needs that much space to enjoy some tasty craft beer and ciders, a few booths and tables to enjoy some of their famous deli sandwiches and the perfect vantage point to see three local bands hot box the space with sweat and ear to ear grins.

Burning Embers, veterans of rock from Over the Hills and Far Away (actually, just up the hill in Wainuiomata) having been around since 2008 (with line-up changes in recent years) but one thing that hasn’t changed is vocalist and frontman, Robert Morgan and the presence he brings to the stage. Even with some technical difficulties mid set when the soundboard decided to nope out temporarily, he kept the crowd in good spirits. If you haven’t caught Burning Embers live, they combine influences like Stone Temple Pilots and Alice in Chains. That dank, sludgy sound with hard rock vocals. I think they sum themselves up best, “We’ve all come from colourful backgrounds, we used those colours to make our own rainbow.”

And what a rainbow they create.

A solid set, great pūngao, everyone was locked in, the growing crowd included.

Their drummer, Hilde Ringger plays like a woman possessed. She hits hard like Dave Grohl and Animal from the Muppets combined and brings a ferocious and fantastic sense of rhythm to Burning Embers which made me think of ‘Dee’ Plakas from L7. Hilde is her own “Goddess of Thunder”

That’s not to say lead guitarist, Andy Jackson and bassist, Raymond Cox don’t bring their own. A quieter presence doesn’t mean you don’t bring the goods and both round out how tight Burning Embers is as a band.

Stretch to Mould took the stage next and if you’ve also not seen them before, they are high energy rock. Not only do they fit like a glove on any stage or venue, but they also play with the kind of command and finesse only seen in some of the late greats like Freddy Mercury and Michael Hutchence (Queen and INXS, respectively) That’s a tall order you might think. Yes, yes, it is, and they pull it off with ease.

It probably helps that their frontman, Darrell Vickers has been commanding stage and spaces for years and knows a thing or two about his and Stretch to Mould capabilities. Despite their own line-up changes in recent years, bassist, Chris Furdson and drummer, Tomas Fuller have fully come into their own since joining in 2023, and while Chris commands a quieter presence on stage, he was locked in and his bass lines are such a great anchor. Tomas’s presence came in a blur with the speed in which he was hitting skins. Together, they make a hell of a racket to enjoy.

Not only did they play a strong and lengthy set, new single, but Paper Mâche also made its debut. Judging by the small but eager crowd I’d say, well received too. Some old favourites made the cut too; Square Peg and Long Nose always get the crowd going. They’re both so infectious and get the headbangers and toe tappers going. It was awesome to see.

Having covered many shows of Stretch to Mould and Darrell’s solo work throughout the years, his unwavering commitment to music never fails to impress. Musical ability is a no brainer, but passion is non-negotiable otherwise you’re left playing to the crickets. Darrell need not worry about either of those things because it’s clear music is still running strong through his veins and that’s what it’s all about.

Closing off the night was Motawrek. A four piece that assaults your ears with great riffs. You know the kind I’m talking about- the ones you make stank faces to.

They bring a punk rock grunge ethos and it was a set that took no prisoners. Busting out a cover of Soundgarden’s Jesus Christ Pose is just next level rock star status, and then to throw in Shihad’s You Again. Come on! They knew exactly what they were doing and did it well. The crowd was frothing.

Frontman Jase Curtis brought a fantastic energy and vocals. If he was at all nervous, he channelled exactly where it needed to go. Guitarist, Nathan doing the most and killing it with that beautiful vintage Fender Stratocaster, a stunning teal with a sparkly gold pickup. Bassist, Rowan Miller in his own zone, also bringing the goods, and drummer, Chris Aitken, a cacophony of sound, bringing it all back together.

They were heavy, unrelenting, melodic and most importantly, divided and conquered with not only extra t shirt sales, but plenty of new fans, yours truly included.

A powerhouse of a band. Imagine what they bring on bigger stages.

Leaving with ear to ear grins, new friends, and new merch, the cups couldn’t get much fuller. It was such a fun night and that’s what it’s all about- supporting local, getting amongst it and leaving with the old age question, “when’s the next one?”