Wellington’s teen scenesters turned out in full force on Friday to welcome Auckland Indie Rockers, The Midnight Youth, to the capital for an exclusive, once in a lifetime all ages MySpace secret show at legendary Thistle Hall.  Dedicated fans of NZ’s number one band started queuing up for the limited wristbands at 3:30.  'We came straight from school!' one fan said, 'We ARE going to be first in the door! Straight to the front!'  The band, gents to a man, hung around to chat with fans after their sound check, with everyone agreeing the chance to meet the guys was 'awesome'. 

By 7:30 the queue stretched around the block with anticipation high and excitement building.  Fans clamoured for the exclusive wristbands as soon as the doors opened and the lucky first 200 were in the door.

Surprise support was provided by Wellington’s own, The Supermodel Band, who set the tone for the evening with their hip, indie vibe.

But the crowd was really amped for Midnight Youth who took to the stage amid a cacophony of teen screams, woof whistles and cheering, like champions into an arena.

The boys ploughed through their hits, exchanging banter with the fans and thanking MySpace for the opportunity to play such a historic venue.  “We understand this hall is some kind of Punk Legend,” says lead singer Jeremy, “So we decided to bring a little punk to the show,”  before sending the fans into a screaming frenzy with a fast version of their number one hit single, The Letter.  But that’s not the only surprise of the night as the boys hit on a crowd pleaser with a cover of Lady Gaga’s Just Dance.  Anyone doubting their new kids on the block musical credentials would be eating crow after tonight’s performance though.  Midnight Youth are tighter than a big bass drum, lean on effects and heavy on the virtuosity, with Jeremy’s voice pitch perfect and FM clear.  They sure know how to show their youngest crowd yet a good time. 

There’s nothing short of a good natured scrum after the show when the band stay on to have their photograph’s taken and sign merchandise, including Myspace’s gift to the fans, an exclusive limited edition screen print poster of the gig which will ensure their place in Thistle Hall’s long infamous history.    www.myspace.com/kokokabana

Thanks to Midnight Youth, Matt Coleman, Warner Music, Hewlett Packard, Joanna Alpe for photography, Matty Warmington for filming and editing, and all the fans who made it such a special night!

MySpace Secret Shows NZ - Midnight Youth!

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Photos: Joanna Alpe