Josh Rennie-Hynes – Wine Cellar

Auckland greeted the young Australian singer-songwriter with a cold, wet slap in the face. The weather may have kept patrons away from K’Road on this blustery Wednesday night, but those few who braved the elements were treated to a beautifully-nuanced performance.

The evening marked the return of Josh Rennie-Hynes, who first toured New Zealand last year after the release of his Shane Nicholson debut album, February.

Since then, Josh has been touring, chilling and writing new songs, some of which were on display tonight.

New Zealand’s Reb Fountain started things off at 8:30 with a half-hour set of her own richly emotive tunes. I’ve raved about Reb in the past, so I can only say, see her any chance you can, she is a treasure.

Given there was only a handful of people in the cosy confines of The Wine Cellar, Josh followed Reb immediately after her last tune.

By then everyone had gotten to know everyone…audience, artist and sound man. When there are so few people in the room, a certain intimacy is borne, along with responsibility, both for the performer and the audience member. There’s nowhere to hide.

Fortunately, everyone played their role to perfection.

Josh started out with a new song, titled Richmond, then whipped out his harmonica for The Things We’ll Never Have Again, a typically bittersweet ballad taken from February.

After another new song (Every Night) and another from the album (Joey), Reb Fountain returned to the stage to sing harmony on Land Of Clouds, a new song inspired by Josh’s previous New Zealand tour.

The brief set ended with Lucy, one of Josh’s most poignant songs. The mood was subdued but warm, which is more than can be said for the weather outside.

Fortified by a cup of The Wine Cellar’s fined Mulled Wine, I ventured back out into the wintery street, very happy that I had made the effort to get out and see some live music.

Now both body and soul were warm.

Marty Duda

Click on any image to view a photo gallery by Isaac Newcombe:

Josh Rennie-Hynes set list:

1. Richmond
2. The Things We’ll Never Have Again
3. Every Night
4. Joey
5. Land Of Clouds
6. 27
7. Lucy