November 6, 2025 gigs albums artists

What’s going on, Internet?

This past Saturday my wife and I got to see Tom Scott perform his new album Anitya in full at the Auckland Civic Theatre.

Anitya is the first project Tom has released under his full name. Everything else before this — Home Brew, Average Rap Band, @Peace, Avantdale Bowling Club — sat under a group or alias.

This album is a deeply personal one. The first half is about breaking up with his ex-wife, the second about falling in love with his new partner, with a track in between dedicated to his son.

I pre-ordered the album during October’s Bandcamp Friday and listened to it the following week when it dropped, then again a few days later.

Because of how personal the project is, I probably won’t return to it often. That said, seeing and hearing Tom perform it live (technically my third listen) gave me a new appreciation for it. It’s far removed from his previous releases, and that’s okay.

The show itself was incredible — entertaining, emotional, and raw.

It opened with a clever setup: a fictional pub in Avondale where local personality Dai Henwood played the karaoke host. Tom and a few mates, beers in hand, sat around a bar leaner waiting for the night’s entertainment. Over the next hour we were treated to local talent performing covers, including Tom’s partner Sarvi and one of my own favourites, Great South.

Once the karaoke wrapped up, we had a short break while the stage was reset. When we came back, the theatre was packed. The next hour and a bit was the full Anitya album performed live, split into two halves with some Home Brew sing-alongs in between. I’ll always cherish the moment of belting out the chorus “Drinking in the Morning” with the crowd during this performance.

Tom had a full band behind him — no backing tracks. This is what live shows should be when the venue allows. Some of the karaoke performers even returned to play parts during the main set. It was a fantastic show.

When the album ended, Tom joked that everyone on stage could leave (they did). Then he launched into the Fuck the System Freestyle, a reworking of his verse from “Listen to Us” on the Home Brew album. This updated version called out the current government and even took a shot at Luxon, describing him as a “peeled cucumber-looking motherfucker.” The crowd went wild cheering, clapping, fully on board. A powerful way to close the night.

I’m so glad we got to experience this once-in-a-lifetime performance. As for the album, it won’t be in regular rotation, but I’ll definitely set aside some time in the future to sit down with a drink and spin it on vinyl.

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