Live Photos: Jonathan Bree - Hollywood Avondale, Auckland

Auckland avant-pop mastermind Jonathan Bree's long-awaited national tour commenced in Auckland on Friday amidst the suburban splendour of the Hollywood Avondale, following immediately on from a European tour in celebration of his third studio album Sleepwalking. Bree's famously masked band were supported by Auckland rising stars Green Grove, the project of producer and multi-instrumentalist Durham Fenwick whose live crew features members of Bozo, Peach Milk, Yoko-Zuna and Pleasure Majenta. They were a superb pick as opener for the evening, surrounded by emerald mist the group rattled off a selection of electronic exotica with more than a tip of the hat to the work of David Lynch, Julee Cruise and Angelo Badalamenti - the band's pitch-perfect cover of 'Rockin' Back Inside My Heart' suited the vibe to a tee.

Jonathan Bree's group hit the stage sporting their signature current look - featureless masks, mod-ish wigs and intriguingly 'early settler' styled outfits as they performed a selection of tunes from Bree's three solo albums, with a heavy skewing towards the new record. The powerfully-voiced singer cut a dashing figure striding with mic in hand around the stage while (occasionally singing) dancers performed synchronised moves and his rhythm section laid down irresistible grooves, against a projected backdrop of surrealistic and nostalgic imagery. The foregrounding of visual elements (and removal of facial signifiers) seemed to draw attention also towards Bree's socially-charged lyricism. It was quite magical to experience such a unique, artfully-constructed event pulled off with panache to a crammed and appreciative local crowd - we highly recommend you don't miss Bree's show as it tours Aotearoa this month. Photographer Connor Crawford was there to capture the occasion for posterity, gaze upon his images here...