Truly Friday—A Sensation on a Wednesday Night!
Words by Lily Pearl (she/her)
Truly Friday performed their solo debut for a sold-out show at The Pow Wow Room on 10 August, with a run time of around 90 minutes. Truly Friday are a musical comedy duo comprised of Jackson Herman and Nathan Roys, and their show featured special guests Andre Moffat and Max Valentine.
The night was off to a flying start with footage being played of an over-the-top shootout and Truly Friday being chased on foot to the venue, complete with a desperate “the show must go on” from their manager. It was an intro I was talking about for days afterwards and really shows the kiwi ingenuity of these two. Lest they leave the sold-out bar in suspense, they immediately jumped onto the stage and into a ballad about their dating explorations. They sang of manic pixie dream girls and slightly psychotic True Crime obsessives—never before have a pair of kiwi guys had such interesting love lives!
They didn’t let the show get dull for even a moment, singing hit after hit about everything from leaving dogs in cars to the universal truth of hating school. Highlights included anthems about spending quality time with your dad at the pokies and the complex relationship we all have with ripper rugby. Showing that their super stardom hasn’t gone to their heads, Truly Friday gave up the stage for local talent. A stunning guest performance was given by Andre Moffat, performing his hit ‘Two Limo’s’, which had me and half the room crying with laughter. Truly Friday were also joined by Max Valentine for a rap song that tapped into the homoerotic subtones of every all-male performing group ever, called ‘Why Can’t I Kiss My Bros’.
Nathan took the lead with a song about his envy that he will never get to experience lesbian sex—a concern I’m sure many men have. I would tell you how it went, but I was pissing myself with laughter the entire time. Even their drinks were getting in on the act, with Jackson’s beer showing amazing comedic timing for an impromptu premature ejaculation gag. The night culminated in a meat raffle and the promised display of Jackson getting his chest waxed in front of a slightly overly enthusiastic crowd. After chanting from the crowd, they also performed their banger ‘Crate Day’ to round out the night. These two boys from Wainuiomata and Papamoa absolutely knocked it out of the park, and I can’t wait to see what else they have in store for the Wellington comedy scene. The next best thing to Flight of the Conchords—or better?