GIG REVIEW: Wha Cup
25.03.22 at Snails Artspace, Palmerston north
Seeing Wha Cup live was truly an experience I will not get over. I felt like my bones had been hollowed out and filled with the chugging guitar and powerhouse drumming of Wha Cup. I live for these sorts of musical experiences.
Wha Cup consists of long time drummer, Nick Potts on the guitar/vocals and Tuma Tokona on the drums/vocals. Potts only picked up the guitar about 10 months ago: “I noodled around a little bit, but I never fronted a band or anything…I play guitar upside down so I’ve had no formal training of anything”. Tokona was previously playing with Ahoribuzz until the tragic death of his brother, Aaron Tokona. The band name, Wha Cup, is a homage to Aaron.
This rock/electric blues duo has a powerful presence that completely takes over the stage. It is mesmerizing. Every note they play fills the entire space with sound. This resonance and depth is something I look for constantly in gigs. Wha Cup has this resonant metronomic quality to their music. The fervent rock energy set against a methodical beat reminds me of Electric Peanut Butter Company and Gong Gong Gong (工工工): the illusion of chaos within counted rhythm. Both Tokona and Potts also have a unique singing voice - so powerful and full of a richness.
“Every note they play fills the entire space with sound”
The tightness of Wha Cup’s set is what really caught my attention. Beyond the loud and unbridled energy, there was a clean, strong rhythm. Chaos only has meaning within order. Wha Cup has such control over the music: there was never a point when the music was playing them. This strong hand on the sound, the rhythm, the direction of the band is what makes Wha Cup incredibly powerful on stage.
It’s also very difficult to make music that sounds like a homage but not a pastiche. Each Wha Cup song had elements of nostalgia and familiarity, whilst also remaining fresh and new. There were the obvious inspirations - Zeppelin, Hendrix (Wha Cup played a fantastic cover of Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)) and the Foo Fighters. But with Potts playing the guitar from a drumming background, I was also reminded of the White Stripes: There was a certain pulsing quality to his guitar technique and I loved it. I could feel the beat of each song within me, echoing in my organs. It was an almost cathartic experience.
I talk about the body so much in this review because I want to emphasize the level of resonance and sheer loudness of Wha Cup: It’s always fantastic when the music actually reverberates in your physical body. I want to feel the music, I want it to be tangible. And Wha Cup went beyond what I expected.
Wha Cup is loud and bold and full of sound. But don’t be fooled, they are also deeply in control of their music. The mix of control and chaos is what makes Wha Cup such a powerful band. They are doing something different, something crazy, but they know exactly how to do it well.
Wha Cup is playing at Snails Artspace on April 29th. They are also looking to record an album later in the year - so keep an eye out!
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I want to commend Snails Artspace for fostering such an inclusive and wonderful space for arts and music. Sculptures hung from the ceilings, paintings were framed all over the walls, zines and pot plants and little clay creatures sat in every corner of the space. Everything was in support of local and upcoming artists. I loved the sense of togetherness and communal creativity. In Covid-times, it has been difficult to support emerging artists, but Snails has clearly made an effort to continue helping the creative community. If you’re in Palmerston North, or just passing through, definitely give Snails a visit!
Also, the two guest acts, The Fire in Me and Skitz Hydro, were both fantastic. The Fire in Me evoked a sense of pop punk nostalgia, while Skitz Hydro brought a chaotic psych rock energy to the stage. It was great to see new and underground musicians emerge, stronger than ever, from the nightmare of Covid.
Please give your support to Wha Cup, The Fire in Me, Skitz Hydro and Snails Artspace where you can. Let us keep the pulse of the underground alive.
All photos are taken by Amanda Hodge, photographer for Muzicnet.nz and Backseat Mafia. Follow Amanda on Facebook or Instagram.