Bic Runga

Bic Runga and Silicon live at Freo.Social | 17 March 2026

Freo Social was full of Bic Runga fans who were keen to catch the final stop on her Red Sunset tour. With a slew of fans hugging the front of stage in an effort to catch a close glimpse of the ‘Sway’ singer. Featuring Silicon as the opening (with Bic also helping out on drums) it made way for a smooth evening of jazz-infused funk music, and artful heart-on-your-sleeve nostalgia pop music.

Silicon was the first act of the night after doors opened. It made the venue feel like a trendy kitsch jazz bar as you walked in through the doors. Spearheaded by Runga’s partner Kody Neilson on the keys, and providing vocals through a vocoder. There was an enjoyable, almost comedic quirk to the night as he waxed verse in between the jazzy tunes with his robotic voice.

There were early daft-punk vibes felt from the instrumentation, coupled with the vocoder infused vocals. Comedy was felt towards the close of the set with Neilson speaking to the crowd and making quips in his robot voice. Silicon live sound was sophisticated like an art gallery, and played it comedically loose and self-aware like a suburban bowls club.

They made way for a fun start to the night. With the funky beat and rhythms being incredibly addictive (and a gateway drug to more funked out beats). It also showed Runga’s own versality as a musician on the drums. Showing a broad wheelhouse as a drummer, guitarist and singer (and probably the type of musician who could change a spare tire on the tour bus).

Runga was incredibly humble with the crowd. Providing compliments to the City of Fremantle, likening the location to Palm Springs, but with a beach or coastline. Having herself and the band enjoy the food and sunny weather on their day off from touring around city.

It was a joy to have the opportunity to listen to Runga’s new music live. Who acknowledged it was her first record release in 15 years. Being aware of the fact some punters had purchased tickets on the proviso of hearing ‘Sway’ live, Bic lightly teased the crowd with wanting to play some of new songs first before descending into the music everyone wanted to hear. Which wasn’t inherently a bad thing.

It was the order of the songs laid out which allowed two-sides of Runga to be shown, musically. Which told two stories of an artist who got her ‘homerun’ with a single, but also an artist that lived a life following a success. An artist whom became a parent, and built a life from the music she made. It was in seeing the new music live that allowed Runga to show a deeper, richly textured side to herself and her music. Wherein success was defined by wisdom gained, rather than the amount of records sold.

It felt self-reflective at times, with Runga letting it rip on the harmonica front of stage at one moment. And exploring the emotional themes of raising children and parenthood on another. Runga really showcased where life had taken her in the intervening years since she last released music. To which the crowd were eager to escape with her into. The night finished off with Runga delivering a live rendition of ‘Sway’ as promised. With punters belting out the chorus in unison alongside her. Swayed by a talent, and the humbling Kiwi charisma of her and her support band.

Review by Joe Wilson

Photography by Shotweiler Photography