Garage Party with Modern Māori Quartet

Words / Amy Laing

Walking into the Civic Wintergarden on Thursday evening, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. Garage Party, the new show from the Modern Māori Quartet, is described as a modern take on the classic kiwi garage party. I’ve been to a few garage parties in my time, but certainly none in a venue like this! The incredible architecture of the Wintergarden combined with low stage and table seating created a really intimate vibe, and as I took my seat the lights went down and the show began. 

The first thing I noticed was the energy and banter that was on stage. Gone are the days where performers needed to be regimented and stick to their setlist. Effortlessly combining Te reo Māori and English, Modern Māori Quartet engaged the crowd with classic songs both from New Zealand and overseas. I quickly realized this was not going to be your standard gig, where the audience sat and listened while the artist performed their songs one by one in a traditional fashion. 

As they wrapped up Act One with ‘Tequila Sunrise’ & ‘Poi E’, I looked down at my phone and couldn’t believe almost an hour had passed. The stage presence and general band comradery, coupled with epic harmonizing and solos that gave me goosebumps, meant I hadn’t even noticed the time (as the old saying goes, time flies when you’re having fun!)

The energy certainly carried through in the second half, with the band even getting off the stage and performing between the tables. With the stage now seemingly the entire floor, and the room filled with clapping, laughter and smiles; it was the perfect time for us all to take a moment and reflect on the year that had been.  

It appeared that I had lost track of time again, as before I knew it, we were on the last song. Ending with a soulful rendition of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, the crowd just couldn’t help but join in and sing along. 

Described as the party you didn’t know you needed, especially after the way 2020 panned out, I can whole-heartedly say that this rung true for me. Entertaining, hilarious and extremely talented, the Modern Maori Quartet’s performance certainly was the flashest Garage Party I’ve ever been to!

Get your tickets here.