A crowd of around 200 media & music industry people turned out in Auckland last week for the 2015 edition of The RadioShow – an annual event organised by the radio industry to showcase NZ artists.
Headlining this year’s show were Devilskin, Anika Moa, Jamie McDell, Maala and Maya Payne. Linking the acts was host Mikey Havoc.
This was a fast-turnaround showcase event, with each act playing just four songs, and the whole evening wrapped in three hours (at 9pm). There was no seating – just a bar and plenty of room to rotate, and chat.
Anika Moa – a superb guitarist, despite her claim to the contrary, was her usual, potent self; Maala – about whom the industry expects big things – was making her public debut; and another of whom much is expected is singer/acoustic guitarist Jamie McDell.
This was not a contest. But for many, Devilskin (the latest heavy metal band on the NZ scene – later in the week they opened for Mötley Crüe at Vector Arena) stole the show with a bravura performance employing every metal cliché known to mankind. Colourful vocalist Jenny Skulander belted them out as she strode the stage like a demented Xena Warrior Princess. They will go far.
This was the third annual RadioShow – a collaboration between the Radio Broadcasters Association, The Radio Bureau and NZ on Air to showcase up-and-coming artists in front of key industry people. (Of course, Anika Moa ain’t no newcomer – but she fitted in just fine.)
- A good photo collection from the night – set against Auckland Museum’s stylish Atrium – can be viewed at here
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