Th' Dudes came out of late 70s Auckland pubs with sharp hooks, dry humor, and a tight rhythm section.

Pub roots, pop hooks

This run has them leaning into legacy mode while honoring the late guitarist Ian Morris, with Brett Adams, long-time Mockers guitarist, often stepping in to connect the camps. Expect a set built for singalongs, likely packing Bliss and Be Mine Tonight, with room for nods like Forever Tuesday Morning and Violent when the bill shifts. The crowd skews cross-generational: long time fans who lived these songs the first time next to younger listeners who found them through parents and playlists. You will notice easygoing banter, friends greeting friends, and a lot of full volume chorus sharing rather than phone staring.

Songs most people will know

Trivia heads will clock that early Dudes chops were forged during long Windsor Castle residencies, and that Andrew Fagan is also an offshore sailor and poet. For clarity, these set and staging notes are informed guesses from past runs and may not mirror your night exactly.

The Th' Dudes crowd in real life

Pub-rock manners, big-heart singalongs

The scene feels like a friendly Kiwi reunion, with black denim, old band tees, and tidy button ups mixing with a few bright 90s jackets. You will catch clusters of school mates, work crews, and families swapping stories about first flats and first gigs while the house music rolls. People clap in time, trade verses with the singers, and often raise cups high when the first notes of Bliss ring out.

Retro threads, modern warmth

Merch tends to favor retro fonts and Ready To Roll era color blocks, plus classic logos that look right on a well worn tee. Between sets the chat is about songs and summers, not gear; by the encore strangers are harmonizing like a choir. It is an easygoing culture built on courtesy up front, space for dancers at the sides, and a shared respect for hooks that earned their place.

How Th' Dudes keep it tight on stage

Hooks first, gear second

Vocals lead the mix, with Dave Dobbyn's friendly tenor front and center, Andrew Fagan adding elastic phrasing, and Boh Runga giving clear top end that cuts through guitars. Arrangements tend to be brisker than on record, trimming intros so the hooks land fast and letting choruses breathe for crowd voices. Guitars carry the character: chiming rhythm parts against a slightly gritty lead, with occasional 12 string shimmer on the Mockers material and a chewy, modern crunch on Stellar* songs. The rhythm sections sit straight and punchy, favoring simple kick patterns and eighth note bass to keep the songs driving without fuss.

Small tweaks, big payoff

A subtle but telling habit is a breakdown in Bliss where the band drops to almost nothing, then rebuilds on claps before the last refrain. You may also hear guitars tuned a touch lower than record for warmth and singability, a small shift that helps the high notes stay sweet all night. Lights usually lean on clean color washes and strobes on big hits, adding energy without distracting from the playing.

If you ride with Th' Dudes, try these too

Kindred Kiwi and trans-Tasman staples

Fans of Crowded House will feel at home with Th' Dudes because both prize tuneful choruses, tight harmonies, and warm, human pacing. Dragon brings the same trans Tasman pub rock spine and a knack for turning groove into a big chorus without bluster. The streetwise strut and guitar jangle of Hello Sailor overlap with the Dudes' early club DNA and with the Mockers' glassy textures. If your sweet spot is sing along pop rock with heart on sleeve storytelling, The Exponents cover that lane in a similar live spirit. All four acts draw multi generation crowds who value songs first, showmanship second, and that makes this bill a natural bridge between eras.