‘Giving It Up’ for Lipstick - a Hotly Anticipated Single Release From Wellington’s Local Celebrities

By Madeleine Vivienne Pierre

The single release party for Lipstick at Valhalla was a masterclass in reflecting the local band scene for Wellington students. The intimate yet passionate group littering the indigo, darkly lit scene with Penny Lane fur coats, Doc Marten boots and modern mullets all came together this freezing Wednesday night to celebrate their local alt-rock celebrities. I caught the end of opening act ‘Caught Inside’ polishing their set off with a rapidfire list of reminders including ‘free Palestine’ and ‘vote against that shitty fucking bill!’. Peak Wellington student life.

When Lipstick took the stage, it was immediately clear how many people in the crowd knew the band personally, or at the very least the lead singer Oliver Bailey, and were excited to see their friends perform onstage. They launched into their set. One of the first songs, introduced with an amped “Brand new! Brand new! Brand new!”, contained an epic bridge showcasing both the talent and the star-power of the four. The number directly after was opened with a simple “we love this song,” which, evidently, the crowd did too. 

Finally, just when the energy seemed to be on the decline, we were informed “alright, enough of that new shit” and the opening electric guitar to their top streamed Spotify release ‘Party’ chimed in, provoking a justifiably massive audience reaction.

It’s not difficult to see why Lipstick is so favoured by Wellington students. Their outfits give the impression they were all under a different dress code from one another, and their nonchalance to the audience seems as though they are trying to make themselves appear untouchable.However, it is the reluctant smile that played on Oliver’s lips when the crowd starting screaming every word to ‘Party’, and the fact that the venue was so small performers had to hop from the stage into the dance floor to enter and exit that made the sense of community felt.

As for the single itself, ‘Giving It Up': it has a definite alternative sound which begins reminiscent of 90s shoegaze alternative rock, but is quickly overtaken by Lipstick’s classic college rock style. Drums, riffs and a general auditory aesthetic flow partner with a voice gliding effortlessly through the flurry of instrumental work behind him. It’s a song that speaks on growing up and becoming someone new without realising it. If nothing else, it’s catchy, it’s an easy listen without being mindlessly commercial and it brings forward the aspects of indie rock that appeals to Uni students anywhere. This band is hopefully up-and-coming, but no matter where they end up, they are worth a listen.