Gig Review: Shayne P Carter @ Nivara Lounge, Hamilton – 26/03/2026

Shayne Carter took to Hamilton’s Nivara Lounge last Thursday, kicking off his solo North Island tour. It was a wet and wild evening in Kirikiriroa as the crowd gathered in the iconic underground venue, but from the moment Shayne stepped on stage, there was a real presence.

Stripped back, raw, and entrancing, Shayne P. Carter held the room with just an acoustic guitar and his pedalboard. His first line to the crowd set the tone perfectly: ‘I’m not going to play any of the hits, because I don’t have any.’ He then opened with the iconic Burn It Up, a Straitjacket Fits track, immediately drawing everyone in.

The set felt both energetic and intimate. Shayne squeezed every ounce of life and sound from his acoustic guitar while the crowd hung off every word. This was followed by The Garden, a beautiful track that added another layer to the evening. The show ran through a tight 12-song set, offering a glimpse into Carter’s repertoire and the evolution of his songwriting.

There was something for everyone, including a beautifully stripped-back version of Randolph’s Coming Home, as powerful and poignant as ever. You could still feel the emotion in Shayne’s voice. The performance was a far cry from his recent REforms album with the NZSO – in fact, it couldn’t have been more different. There was nowhere to hide: just Shayne and his guitar, doing what he’s done so well for decades.

We were treated to gem after gem. Evolution, from his time with Dimmer, brought an energetic shift that had the entire audience grooving. Looking around the room, it was clear everyone was having a blast – smiles everywhere from a crowd that had braved the rain to see one of Aotearoa’s most important and influential musicians.

Another personal highlight was If I Were You, another iconic Straitjacket Fits track. It’s an absolutely gorgeous song that showcases Shayne’s musicianship. I’d always wanted to hear it live, and it did not disappoint.

The night was a blast. It felt like a real honour to see Shayne up close and personal – a privilege to experience him in one of Kirikiriroa’s most iconic venues before it closes its doors for good later this year. The sound was fantastic, and everyone was fully immersed, soaking it all in.

Shayne P. Carter gave his absolute all, as he always does. If you get the opportunity to catch him on this tour, make sure you do. It’s a chance to see him on a different level – the songs still carry their usual energy, his vocals as strong as ever, but reimagined in a raw, intimate setting with just him and his guitar.

Photo Credit: Lachie Holt