MJ Lenderman mesmerises Wellington's Meow Nui
A capacity crowd at the new Wellington theatre embraced MJ Lenderman’s Melancholic Songwriting and indulged every note from his band The Wind.
MJ Lenderman’s comic timing and his band’s accomplished Americana extended Wellington’s weekend festivities at a sold-out Meow Nui show Monday night.
Local support act Vera Ellen promised a stripped-back performance and a cure for CubaDupa hangovers via social media earlier in the day. New song 'Sangria' and a cover of Daniel Johnston’s 1990 tune 'True Love Will Find You in the End' did the trick.
Fuelled on Malaysian food from a Malaysian restaurant on Cuba Street, MJ Lenderman and his five close friends from Asheville took to the stage and ripped through familiar tracks, some older cuts, and a couple of covers.
MJ Lenderman play at Meow Nui in Wellington.
Andrew Williams
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“One of these days, you'll kill a man, for asking a question you don't understand,” Lenderman, 26, warns on the album opener and first song of the night.
This is deep stuff. A blunt opening gambit. Who is Lenderman’s intended recipient?
Lenderman is a prolific writer and his band is made up of his childhood friends. His weary witticisms, delivered with impeccable timing, leave his jiving and smiling bandmates Landon George on bass and Xandy Chelmis on fiddle almost in stitches.
The two of them singing “You’ll find me on my knees,” along with Lenderman and the assortment of alternative folk in the audience was one of many joyful moments.
Lenderman has played numerous instruments on his fourth LP, Manning Fireworks, and he also co-produced the thing. It was named by The New Yorker as the best album of 2024.
A frequent collaborator. Lenderman and his bandmates all play in other bands too, including Wednesday, which is fronted by Lenderman’s former partner Karly Hartzman.
A recent breakup means he’s played his last show with the band for now, but will join up with them for studio sessions.
Midway through, Lenderman revealed the band’s hometown, Asheville, North Carolina, was overwhelmed by flooding, landslides and death during Hurricane Helene in September last year.
Along with the likes of Animal Collective and Horse Jumper of Love, Lenderman has provided a track for the benefit album We Love it Here released to support the arts organisations still recovering from the storm.
In 'She’s Leaving You', from last year’s album, he mocks somebody’s partner for idolising Eric Clapton. It’s a potentially awkward few minutes for any couples in the room.
Influencers are also in Lenderman’s crosshairs - his music is full of a kind of subversive mockery and pop culture references that a young Dylan would have entertained and a musical palette worthy of Neil Young.
There’s even a cover 'Lotta Love' - written by Young in the 70s and turned into a mainstream hit by XX. Before The Wind enjoy some noodling and then a two-track encore.
Those inside the former place of worship were onboard with Lenderman well before the set closer 'Bark At The Moon'.
MJ Lenderman & The Wind perform Tuesday, 1 April at The Powerstation in Auckland.
