\u201cWe\u2019re really stripping things back and making things about the songs and the stories behind them,\u201d Martin said.<\/p>\n
He said they had performed short acoustic sets as a part of VIP experiences. <\/p>\n
Fans paid extra to meet the band members before the show and hear some songs recontextualised.<\/p>\n
Following a positive response, the band started asking audiences whether they liked seeing Devilskin that way.<\/p>\n
Tauranga fans of Devilskin are “consistent and reliable”. Photo \/ Bevan Treibels<\/p>\n
Fans asked for more.<\/p>\n
Martin said fans told them \u201cbring us an acoustic album\u201d, and Devilskin jumped on board.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t get sick of playing rock shows at all, but we\u2019re constantly trying to think of how we can keep things interesting, entertaining, and fresh \u2013 not just for ourselves, but for the audience as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of the same loyal fans return year after year after year, and we want to make sure that they\u2019re still excited about our band.\u201d<\/p>\n
Devilskin are taking a leaf out of MTV\u2019s <\/a>book, drawing inspiration from the Unplugged performances of the 1990s. <\/p>\n But Martin made clear: \u201cIt\u2019s not a reinvention of Devilskin. It\u2019s a new side to us.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s more than just the four of us up there with acoustic guitars. We\u2019re really trying to dive deep into these songs of ours and turn them inside out.\u201d<\/p>\n He said the band wanted to recontextualise them for an audience that wanted to get closer and was already familiar with Devilskin albums. <\/p>\n \u201cFans of rock music are the first to collect merchandise or get a tattoo of their favourite lyric or the logo of a band.\u201d<\/p>\n Martin remembered being 19 years old on Devilskin\u2019s first album tour in 2014 and a fan already had Devilskin song lyrics tattooed on their collarbone.<\/p>\n \u201cI think that\u2019s why we\u2019ve been able to connect with our audiences because we think, \u2018what would we like to see our favourite band do?\u2019,\u201d Martin said.<\/p>\n \u201cTo see people treat us as their favourite band is a surreal dream-come-true moment, but you also feel this responsibility to provide the best experience for these fans.\u201d<\/p>\n Live shows were where Devilskin experienced an immediate connection with their audience, Martin said. <\/p>\n Tauranga fans were \u201cconsistent and reliable\u201d, and Devilskin always looked forward to playing at their usual venue, Baypark Stadium Lounge.<\/p>\n December\u2019s show would be Devilskin\u2019s first at T\u014dtara Street.<\/p>\n Martin said the band wanted the show to be \u201cexclusive, subdued, and intimate\u201d. <\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re opening the floor up so that we can talk with this crowd and encourage them to ask us questions they\u2019ve always wanted to ask.<\/p>\n \u201cDoing something like this does feel a little risky, just because everyone is so used to a high-energy, full-production rock show. If the audience response is there, we\u2019ll take it as far as we can.\u201d<\/p>\n After December\u2019s show, Devilskin would make an appearance at the Homegrown Music Festival<\/a> on March 14.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re pulling out all the stops for that show,\u201d Martin said.<\/p>\n Devilskin performing at Baypark Stadium Lounge. Photo \/ Bevan Treibels<\/p>\n