Photo by: Sam Kristofski

Kiwi R&B surrealist Connan Mockasin gives a rare San Diego performance at the sold-out gig.

After the audience was treated to Molly Lewisβ€˜ strange yet blissful whistling solo set, the New Zealand musician Connan Mockasin took the stage accompanied by his three bandmates. Equipped with a Fender Strat with its bouts both chopped off, Mockasin warmed up by playing some slide guitar, using his drink as the slide. He and his band jumped right into β€œCharlotte’s Thong,” the first track off of his latest album Jassbusters. Unfortunately, fans weren’t treated to a screening of Bostyn β€˜n Dobsyn, a five-part melodrama film derived from the concept of Jassbusters, created and directed by Mockasin himself. Nevertheless, Connan Mockasin gave San Diego a grand set filled with fan favorites like β€œForever Dolphin Love” and β€œI’m the Man, That Will Find You.” During β€œWhy Are You Crying?” Mockasin stepped into the crowd and sat on the floor, still fingerpicking his guitar while audience members followed and made a seat for themselves around him. More crowd participation ensued when the band performed a quick cover of Whitney Houston’s β€œI Will Always Love You,” where the crowd sang along at the top of their lungs. Mockasin continued to play tunes off his new record, including an intimate solo performance of β€œCon Conn Was Impatient.” San Diego was very lucky to have Connan Mockasin play a show, as he rarely gives his dynamic performances here. It may be a while until he and his group return, but hopefully, we can see a screening of his movie or even a performance by Soft Hair next time.

Review by: Luis Mireles

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