Louis Baker
9th August 2019
The Tuning Fork, Auckland, New Zealand.
Review and photography by Sarah Kidd.
Louis Baker made a welcome return to the Auckland stage last night after a two-year absence, his popularity not waning an inch as tickets were snapped up without hesitation. Having released his long-awaited debut album Open in June, fans were certainly eager to hear the Wellington crooner with the voice like liquid honey.
In a match made in heaven, Lou’ana opened the evening in style; accompanied by Dillon on keys – both musicians instantly recognisable to those who follow the Hipstamatics – Lou’ana brought the velvety tones of blues infused soul to the room with the greatest of ease. Accustomed to playing with a band, Lou’ana proved that she is also rather handy with a guitar when required, her opening song ‘Summer in May’ soon seeing the audience swaying in time to the beat.
Having recently released the music video to her single ‘Eye to Eye’ which has more than just a touch of magic to it, fans were thrilled when Lou’ana not only delivered a spellbinding version of the track live but followed it up with a brand new composition entitled ‘Love Bind’, her voice reminiscent of some of the greats such as Sarah Vaughan spliced with Amy Winehouse.
But where Lou’ana truly stole the hearts of those in attendance was with her cover of the Tracy Chapman classic ‘Give Me One Reason’; accompanied by Dillion on vocals, Lou’ana demonstrated she is at her best when she lets her voice fly, the slight husky overtone like a cool summer breeze, sending shivers of delight down the spine and eliciting whoops of satisfaction from the crowd. Finishing with ‘Move Along’, Lou’ana was serenaded with an extended round of applause and calls for an encore, and while unfortunately there wasn’t the chance to deliver one, it wasn’t the last time the venue would see the lovely Lou’ana as she later joined the celebrated headline act on backing vocals.
When Louis Baker arrived on stage it was with his band in tow, the familiar faces of Cory ‘Champagne’ Champion once again taking his place behind the drumkit along with Dan Hayles on keys and Johnny Lawrence on bass. However, Baker had also brought along an additional member for the auspicious occasion, the phenomenal Lisa Tomlins who was guaranteed to add some sumptuous vocals to the evening ahead.
Always with a genuine element of humility, Baker, the man with a smile that can light up a room, greeted all before kicking off the evening with a track from his debut album; ‘Alive’ easing the room into the set with a purity of grace, Baker’s voice absolutely on form as he effortlessly crooned. Baker has a pitch to his vocals that hits a perfect ten on the scale every time, slow and languorous with a gentle tone, it is the music of lovers throughout the room; backed by Tomlins their harmonies indulgently luscious. Baker has often been referred to as a modern soul prodigy and it’s easy to see why, the fact his shows sell out so quickly, unsurprising.
Running the timeline of his work, Baker and co sauntered into ‘Just Want to Thank You’ from 2012 before ‘Gave it All Away’ – a song whose electronic version is for fans of the likes of Kora and Fat Freddys Drop – brought everybody forward a few years.
‘Heart On Fire’ (the album version featuring a killer bridge from the one and only Melodownz) saw everyone get their groove on, Baker asking one and all to thank his band as they took a short break which allowed him to deliver a sweet three song solo set that began with an old fan favourite in the form of ‘Birds’ and included a wonderful cover of the Bill Withers timeless song ‘Lovely Day’. Inviting the crowd to sing along with him the song united all as one and chased away any thoughts of the wet and dreary winter’s night lurking just outside the doors.
Continuing with his mix of old and new, Baker – along with his very appreciative fans – welcomed the band back to the stage; the subtle funk undertones of ‘So Lo’ soon charming all, ‘Figure 8’ doubling down on the feeling. Unsurprisingly the introduction of ‘Addict’ drew many of Baker’s female followers closer, the song released back in 2017 still as intoxicating now as it was then.
Injecting some serious effervescence into the set with a touch of Motown vibes, ‘Get Back’ had the audience shuffling their feet and clapping in time to Lawrence’s bass, Baker playing the game of call and response before he slowed things down again with the APRA Silver Scroll nominated ‘Black Crow’, a song that was astonishingly written and produced in a mere six hours!
Throughout the evening Baker would often take the time to not only thank his fellow musicians but all who were present for coming out to support him, a sold-out venue the dream welcome for any artist returning after a two-year absence. His messages about spreading love and unity through local communities, and not being too self-critical about oneself reiterated in both ‘The People’ and the title track from his debut album Open which together with a stunning cover of Prince’s ‘Purple Rain’ was an encore worth waiting for.
Baker displays a confidence in his live performances now that allow the neo-soul singer to let his music do the talking, and the people are well and truly listening.
Were you there at The Tuning Fork for this sold out R&B/Soul gig? Or have you seen Louis Baker perform live somewhere else before? Tell us about it in the comments below!
Louis Baker Setlist:
- Alive
- Just Want To Thank You
- Even In The Darkness
- Gave It All Away
- Heart On Fire
- Birds
- Lovely Day [Bill Withers cover]
- Just A Memory
- So Lo
- Figure 8
- Addict
- Get Back
- Black Crow
- Rainbow
- Purple Rain [Prince cover] [encore]
- The People [encore]
- Open [encore]
Lou’Ana Setlist:
- Summer In May
- Eye To Eye
- Love Bind
- Give Me One Reason [Tracy Chapman cover]
- Move Along
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