It was a spectacular. Just so big in every way possible. Her voice, her presence, her band, the stage and lighting. Incredible. A suitable end to such an already massive day filled with highlights.
I see now why she caused such a frenzy overseas eh. She lets everyone come as they are, or whoever they want to be, and puts on the ultimate party. A true stunner. Honestly still feel pretty overwhelmed, and I have to see three hours of Nick Cave tonight!
For a dad surrounded by so many “come as you ares” it was completely infectious and Chappell Roan absolutely lived up to expectations. Loved the whole day.
Liked it better than his solo show Sam. I thought they deserved a bigger crowd! Benee had what, three times as many? But you’re right, really electric, thrilling stuff. Whether it goes wider than the cool kids remains to be seen…
Yeah I was expecting a bigger crowd as well. Maybe the "hype" hasn't reached here yet. Or maybe its just within the cool kids/music circles. But the band is just so tight. I was mesmerised by the drummer.
I made it there!! Admittedly, I had to drive down straight after school but I did get to see Wolf Alice and Chappell Roan. Wolf Alice were totally incredible – as expected – and I was lucky enough to get a chance to catch up with Joel after the event. I went knowing little about Chappell Roan (my big kid was beside herself with excitement) but oh my goodness what an act! I particularly loved her little moments of emotional vulnerability and think she was truly feeling quite overwhelmed by everything while on the stage but she didn’t let that interfere with the quality of her performance – maybe apart from the occasional giggle with her bandmates. Barracuda particularly was incredible. Hoped I didn’t look as old as I felt lol.
I saw the Cameron Winter solo show and the Geese show and liked the Geese show more. His solo stuff was so intense and really needed some chat or more gags or even a violin or cello to break it up. Geese live were fantastic, locked in, very abstract but also so tight. Loved it.
I'm thinking i'm in a very very slim minority of people who didn't get 'it' - Chappelle sounded great, the stage set up was spectacular, she absolutely put on a next-level show but for some reason it didn't grab me. I was video calling my 10 year old to show her what she was missing so maybe that factored into things.
Other laneways thought - Lontalius somehow made a huge stage in a big field seem intimate, Cavetown impressed me with way more indie sensibilities than I thought they had, Gig Perez I cut short to see Womb but left me wanting to check out more of her material, Wisp I knew nothing about but was one of those catch on the fly moments and I need to listen to more! Mt Joy were the right side of Americana vs Country and loved the Uncle Bill Withers moment they brought out.
Benee put on one of the performances of the day with a great set that jumped between bouncing and swaying. Geese I think could have had more volume and rawness but they are SO intriguing. The one band I absolutely had to see and so glad I did. Caught a little Wet Leg and wished I could have seen more - they looked every bit as good as I've seen watching UK Summer festy performances. Malcolm Todd I watched as my oldest is a huge fan - he's got a couple of good re-visitable tunes and by the sound of the crowd a huge female following. Wish i'd seen the Wolf Alice full set as they are a great band, way more shredding than I knew and she has a spectacular voice.
I left feeling like I'll be there next year and that the organizers do a great job of bringing the 'next big thing' along
Definitely felt a little bad for Wolf Alice because clearly the crowd was in full "anticipation for Chappell" mode by that point and there was quite a bit of space up the front of their stage, but holy shit Chappell could not have had a better opener. I was so impressed by their set and how they changed so drastically between styles without once letting the energy dip. Definitely enjoyed them on record but the live show is something else entirely, every member of that band was firing on all cylinders and getting that in the Western Springs bowl at sunset was simply peak
It was a spectacular. Just so big in every way possible. Her voice, her presence, her band, the stage and lighting. Incredible. A suitable end to such an already massive day filled with highlights.
I see now why she caused such a frenzy overseas eh. She lets everyone come as they are, or whoever they want to be, and puts on the ultimate party. A true stunner. Honestly still feel pretty overwhelmed, and I have to see three hours of Nick Cave tonight!
For a dad surrounded by so many “come as you ares” it was completely infectious and Chappell Roan absolutely lived up to expectations. Loved the whole day.
Wet Leg and PinkPantheress and Wolf Alice and Chappelle Roan were 100% worth the price of the ticket and I will be back next time!
What did you make of Geese? One of the best sets I have seen at Laneway. Such an exciting band. When they return they will probably be bigger.
Liked it better than his solo show Sam. I thought they deserved a bigger crowd! Benee had what, three times as many? But you’re right, really electric, thrilling stuff. Whether it goes wider than the cool kids remains to be seen…
Yeah I was expecting a bigger crowd as well. Maybe the "hype" hasn't reached here yet. Or maybe its just within the cool kids/music circles. But the band is just so tight. I was mesmerised by the drummer.
It was the bestivals of festivals, eh! Great to see you mate and catch up a bit and you'll be pleased to know I finally got my wristband :) My own random thoughts on it all - https://nikdirga.com/2026/02/06/laneway-festival-auckland-2026-review-chappell-roan-wet-leg-and-the-kids-are-all-right/
I made it there!! Admittedly, I had to drive down straight after school but I did get to see Wolf Alice and Chappell Roan. Wolf Alice were totally incredible – as expected – and I was lucky enough to get a chance to catch up with Joel after the event. I went knowing little about Chappell Roan (my big kid was beside herself with excitement) but oh my goodness what an act! I particularly loved her little moments of emotional vulnerability and think she was truly feeling quite overwhelmed by everything while on the stage but she didn’t let that interfere with the quality of her performance – maybe apart from the occasional giggle with her bandmates. Barracuda particularly was incredible. Hoped I didn’t look as old as I felt lol.
I couldn't get there so I'm keen to hear more about Geese given how divide the response has been to them lately. Thoughts anyone?
I saw the Cameron Winter solo show and the Geese show and liked the Geese show more. His solo stuff was so intense and really needed some chat or more gags or even a violin or cello to break it up. Geese live were fantastic, locked in, very abstract but also so tight. Loved it.
I'm thinking i'm in a very very slim minority of people who didn't get 'it' - Chappelle sounded great, the stage set up was spectacular, she absolutely put on a next-level show but for some reason it didn't grab me. I was video calling my 10 year old to show her what she was missing so maybe that factored into things.
Other laneways thought - Lontalius somehow made a huge stage in a big field seem intimate, Cavetown impressed me with way more indie sensibilities than I thought they had, Gig Perez I cut short to see Womb but left me wanting to check out more of her material, Wisp I knew nothing about but was one of those catch on the fly moments and I need to listen to more! Mt Joy were the right side of Americana vs Country and loved the Uncle Bill Withers moment they brought out.
Benee put on one of the performances of the day with a great set that jumped between bouncing and swaying. Geese I think could have had more volume and rawness but they are SO intriguing. The one band I absolutely had to see and so glad I did. Caught a little Wet Leg and wished I could have seen more - they looked every bit as good as I've seen watching UK Summer festy performances. Malcolm Todd I watched as my oldest is a huge fan - he's got a couple of good re-visitable tunes and by the sound of the crowd a huge female following. Wish i'd seen the Wolf Alice full set as they are a great band, way more shredding than I knew and she has a spectacular voice.
I left feeling like I'll be there next year and that the organizers do a great job of bringing the 'next big thing' along
Definitely felt a little bad for Wolf Alice because clearly the crowd was in full "anticipation for Chappell" mode by that point and there was quite a bit of space up the front of their stage, but holy shit Chappell could not have had a better opener. I was so impressed by their set and how they changed so drastically between styles without once letting the energy dip. Definitely enjoyed them on record but the live show is something else entirely, every member of that band was firing on all cylinders and getting that in the Western Springs bowl at sunset was simply peak