Levi Lights On Project & Mema Wilda
23rd March 2019
Leigh Sawmill Café, Auckland, New Zealand.
Review and Photography by Mike Thornton.
Levi – pronounced “levvie” has been fronting the Lights On Project for just on a year, and tonight he and the band are celebrating the launch of their first single “Mirror Man”. They will be ably supported by fellow Samoan-born singer Mema Wilda as opening act. Mema is an integral addition to the Lights On Project along with a rhythm section shared by both acts. Levi’s band tonight adds a saxophone and the percussion expands to include cajon. The full ensemble includes, splendidly, a cello – although unfortunately for this reviewer – not this evening.
Both Mema and Levi, in their respective acts, demonstrate wonderful song-making skills along with commanding control over their instruments (each wielding both guitar and voice with crystal clarity and accuracy).
Mema’s singing is angelic, high, soft yet strong, and very pure. After a couple of slight sound glitches are ironed out, the show gets underway and Mema soon has the room tapping, nodding and applauding in appreciation. She sprinkles twinkling laughter amongst her softly-spoken words to introduce each track. There’s a soft, psychedelic, even euphoric sense to the delivery, and the set is appreciated by all present. A couple of the songs appear visibly moving to Mema, sometimes appearing in rapture and at other times an exquisite pain is evident. Her rendition of Dolly Parton’s Jolene was glorious – slow, sad, and sweet.
When I first heard Mirror Man I knew it would be excellent live, and I wasn’t disappointed. It’s illustrative of Levi’s craft: solid, strong, controlled and evocative. This song, along with many of the other original pieces on show tonight, spans genres in construct and delivery. Levi Lights on Project have a sound that encompasses folk, blues, jazz and rock, with covers delivered mid-set (David Bowie – The Man Who Sold The World), and fantastically as an encore (Metallica – Nothing Else Matters). There’s a remarkable power to the voice and the playing; and at the same time a gentle, beautiful soul is soaring.
I feel honoured and grateful to have been present for this launch gig, as were the small but appreciative crowd of locals, fortunate international visitors to the area, guests and paying public who’d travelled from Auckland to a be part of it.
Both artists have bright futures ahead. If you missed this chance to see them and offer your love and support, make sure to get along to either Nivara Lounge in Hamilton on Saturday 6th April or Anthology K Road in Auckland on Saturday 20th April.
Levi – https://www.facebook.com/levisesega/
Mema Wilda – https://www.facebook.com/memawilda/
Lights On Project ft. Mema Wilda (Mirror Man launch event) – https://www.facebook.com/events/250385332567385/
Were you there at the Leigh Sawmill Café for this intimate folk-rock gig? Or have you seen Levi Lights On Project or Mema Wilda perform live somewhere else before? Tell us about it in the comments below!
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