Wishful Thinking

This evening, had I been well enough to leave the house after three days laid up in bed, I would have gone directly to the Herald Theatre. If the infection compromising the functionality of my lungs, throat, sinuses and ears subsided, I would have been sure not to miss seeing Anika Moa and the Plastic Tiki Band, doubtless ably supported by Anna Coddington. Had I not burned the candle so thoroughly at both ends sufficient to threaten its very integrity, nothing would have kept me away.

And if the fact that I've had a secret crush on Anika ever since I first met her had not been enough, then the relentless high rotate of her simply sublime album Stolen Hill on my stereo in recent months would have rendered me insane to miss the opportunity.

If I had gone to the Herald Theatre this evening, I would have been treated to a lovely opening solo set by the aforementioned Miss Anna Coddington, this evening without her band Duchess. I would have been charmed by her relaxed manner and sweet voice, and indulgent when she forgot the words of the Billy Bragg cover.

Health permitting, I would have been entranced by Anika's set, beginning with 'Kotahitanga', then straight into the exquisite 'In The Morning', and stopping by many tracks on Stolen Hill, including latest single 'Wrestled With Your Angels' (can't wait to see the new video), as well as revisiting earlier songs 'Good In My Head' and 'Youthful' among others. I wouldn't have been witness to the hilarious onstage banter between Anika and Anna, nor the lighthearted heckling of one Chris Knox, who was among the intimate audience. Gone would have been my opportunity to buy a way cool Misery-designed Anika t shirt and competitively-priced Duchess EP.

It would have been a real shame to miss it.