Midnight Youth

Midnight Youth proved they're one of New Zealand's hottest acts at a packed showcase in Auckland. Reviewer Chris Schulz and photographer John Selkirk were there.

Midnight Youth
Where: The Studio, Auckland
When: Tuesday, April 28

He might be a tad on the small side, but Jeremy Redmore possesses one heck of a big voice.

The diminutive singer for Auckland rock act Midnight Youth proved just how impressive those lungs are at the band's jam-packed album launch party in Auckland.

Whether he's crooning the chorus to the band's singalong hit The Letter, or belting out a particularly heavy cover of Led Zeppelin's Whole Lotta Love, Redmore's voice soothes and soars in equal measures.

Fans, friends, family and industry big wigs were out in force to hear Redmore and his band mates Nick Campbell, Simon Oscroft, Matt Warman and Aidan Bartlett perform a solid, sweaty and sold out showcase at K Rd venue The Studio.

Mostly, Midnight Youth like epic, anthemic songs with choruses that stick in your head for weeks, so it's no surprise the five-piece have been radio mainstays over the past couple of months.

Their new album The Brave Don't Run is a lesson in epic, radio-friendly rock, and they don't disappoint live.

There's the foot stomping rock of Dead Flowers, the slow-burning Learning to Fall complete with U2-style guitar riffs, the all-out assault of Cavalry, and the insanely memorable chorus of current hit All On Our Own - complete with Coldplay-style crescendo.

If you're having trouble getting to sleep at night, you can put the blame squarely on that one.

Even when they take it down a notch for acoustic lullaby Golden Love, it's no excuse to head to the bar.

But the biggest trick in their bulging bag is the White Stripes-aping Benjamin. It's the best song on The Brave Don't Run, and it became the highlight of the night thanks to its off-kilter cabaret opening building into a belter of a chorus.

Despite the album only coming out on Monday, the band showed just how confident they already are, playing a new song, mixing in different vocals and providing an electronica rave ending to Tijuana.

For the 100 or so fans turned away at the door, you missed something special. But don't worry - Midnight Youth are guaranteed to be around for a long time to come. - stuff.co.nz

If you've been having trouble sleeping at night lately, place the blame firmly on Midnight Youth.

The young Auckland five-piece have dominated radio with two recent singles - The Letter and All On Our Own - thanks to their ability to write songs that stick in your head for weeks.

Midnight Youth write shamelessly catchy, radio-friendly anthems in the style of bands like Coldplay and U2, and if you want more of the same, their 10-track debut The Brave Don't Run won't disappoint.

There's the acoustic footstomp of Dead Flowers, the jagged rock of live favourite Cavalry, and the epic potential single Learning to Fall - a song with, dare we say it, Grey's Anatomy soundtrack potential.

But best of all is Benjamin, a trumpet- and harmonica-fuelled story-telling blast that erupts into a boozy chorus, and you'll be singing along with front man Jeremy Redmore and the boys within seconds.

Occasional lyrical blunders can't undermine the fact that this is a confident and accomplished debut, and it's no wonder they've had plenty of overseas interest.

If they keep disturbing sleep patterns like they have been, Midnight Youth should be around for a long time to come. - stuff.co.nz