Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra and James Hill - Live review

Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra and James Hill - Live review

To suggest they've been missed is to insinuate that the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra has been away for a long time.

Which, in truth, they have not.

But, you wouldn't know that from a packed Q Theatre in Auckland on a Saturday night and given the standing ovation they received at the end of the evening's show, they're certainly still loved. Immensely.

Though, I have to confess, I was worried for them as they took to the stage for the second half of this concert.

Let me explain why in two words - James Hill.

They've brought the Canadian ukulele player over to be part of their tour, with the affable mop topped bespectacled guy taking the first half of the show with cellist, Anne Janelle. And to say he will change the way you look at the ukulele is an understatement.

After a couple of numbers with the entire troop of the WIUO (including an opening number where the whole band ambled in in stages of their song, suggesting a warm family reunion or gathering of old friends) James and Anne took centre stage with an electrifying performance that mixed ingenuity with incredible cleverness and heart.

From a blistering cover version of Billie Jean to a Cole Porter-esque self-titled, "Lying in Wait", James dissected everything you know about the ukulele and showed simultaneously that genius can come easily to some. Throw in an improvised, electronica-style dubstep song, entitled "Number 8 Wire" where chopsticks were the driving force of the playing and quite simply, James redefined some of the way in which the ukulele is to be viewed. Beautifully supported by the haunting cello playing of Anne, the pair exuded an easy infectious charm which set the bar incredibly high for the second half.



And yet, there really was no need to worry about the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra, who are already national treasures in our hearts. I've seen this rag-tag troop of 11 friends a fair few times now - from intimate settings to larger venues, they have an easy rapport which makes you feel you're jamming with friends and watching some mates sharing a few laughs and songs with a few beers.

There were certainly some laughs too - mainly at the expense of band member Andy, who'd chosen to wear a very short pair of cut off denim shorts on the day Auckland's Gay Pride returned. Though, Age Pryor, wearing a cape, and looking like the ukulele toting son of Evel Knievel, should probably count himself lucky to have escaped a gentle ribbing.

From the likes of Gene Pitney's The Boss' Daughter to Jessie J's Price Tag, and a blistering Brooke Fraser's Something in the Water, to Morecambe and Wise's mantra, Bring Me Sunshine, it was clear the WIUO has decided to pepper their set with a few new numbers while out on tour this time around. Maybe it's touring with James, but there's definitely a feeling the band's upped its game for this latest outing (and that's a great thing)- but not at the expense of the joyous fun element which has always been a major part of their shows.


Each song transformed into a raucous roof-raising singalong (no more than set closing fan favourite Africa and an encore version of Heartache, which brought in James and Anne along with balloons with lights in) which pushed the audience to heights of audio ecstasy and left them smiling stupidly. Easy charm, stage presence a-plenty and with a sense of musical mischief, the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra are on fire on this latest tour (which runs till mid March - full details on the WIUO site). Every single one of them brings something unique to the stage and every single note is pitch perfect choral harmony.

There's a line in Jessie J's song - "Just wanna make the word dance, don't care about the price tag" and I think that's becoming the WIUO's mantra in many ways. In truth, the show could have gone on longer than its 2 hour duration and we'd all have been happy. But, sadly, it had to end. They're here for a good time, we're all invited and we should be glad we can be part of such a blisteringly excellent show, which brings good vibes in abundance.