KEY POINTS:
It's the kind of concert that makes you hate other people. Not because they did anything wrong but because it's the sort of gig you'd like for your very own. Just imagine it. Sunset in a remote vineyard with a couple of friends and a nice glass of pinot.
A not-so-gentle breeze splits furious grey clouds to reveal a vein of fuchsia-coloured dusk, and songstress Bic Runga warbles intimately, sweet somethings in your ears. Lovely.
So what a bummer there were several hundred other people at Ascension Vineyard for the second show of Runga's Acoustic Winery Tour.
But despite any selfish desires, it didn't really matter too much. Never mind the odd crying toddler, the brash wine guzzlers in the corner and the occasional calamity as a gust of wind sent unoccupied picnic chairs crashing over into wine bottles, because Runga has that gorgeous voice, a compelling stage presence to match and those personal songs. Her music tugs at the most misanthropic heart strings.
If you're the sort who's inclined to listen to her albums alone in a darkened room, she'll make you cry. These days it might classify as easy listening to some but live, and especially when on her acoustic guitar, unaccompanied, Runga adds another dimension, and her music is anything but lighthearted.
Plus the sound system was so well set-up in the Matakana vineyard, everyone could hear every single note.
The choice of songs was crowd pleasing, with an equal mixture of tracks from all three of Runga's albums being played.
Runga and band, minus support act, sister Boh, who was ill that evening, exerted their power over the crowded vineyard, moving the mood from heartfelt and almost-anguished on ditties like It's Over from 2005's Birds, to upbeat with Something Good from 2002's Beautiful Collision.
This caused several fans to leap out of their deck chairs and dance, wine glasses aloft.
Particularly poignant was old favourite from way back, Drive, with lyrics about "rain falling from concrete coloured skies" threatening to become a reality during a stormy sunset.
And after a two-song encore, an only-just-visibly pregnant Runga wished everyone "safe driving home" bringing a quietly charming, oddly soothing evening to a fairly early close.
