Rock band to make post-lockdown debut
Villainy is returning to the stage after Covid19 locked down the country, with new music and a bigger show.
The Auckland rock bandwill be performing for the first time since July 2019, after the pandemic postponed gigs and pulled plans out from under them.
Vocalist and guitar player Neill Fraser said the band was back with more music, more lights and ‘‘crazy’’ stuff to thrill their fans.
The band managed to release its latest EP Beggar in March last year, which would finally get its debut in front of a live audience.
Fraser said the band was also booked to play at Homegrown in March, but again covid stepped in and the event was cancelled.
They then hoped to perform in May but October came and there was still uncertainty surrounding the pandemic. The band decided to book the tour anyway, in hopes it could go ahead.
Fraser said it was always exciting performing songs live for the first time, as you could see people react. ‘‘Everyone in New Zealand knows how privileged we are to do anything. Especially a rock show where you want to be close and in a physical and energetic way. We are just stoked to be able to do it and get in front of people as normal as we can be.’’
Fraser said the second lockdown was harder than the first, and talks of getting back on stage were suddenly gone.
Earlybird tickets had now sold out in record time, and Fraser said people wanted to get out while they could. ‘‘For me, personally... i’ve made a point of doing as many shows as I can.’’
During lockdown the band spent its time in zoom meetings and made acoustic videos that were posted on social media.
Villiany will play The Royal Hotel on February 6 in Palmerston North and tickets can be bought online.