Feels Like Home
In April 2024, I was asked to provide my TVs for FILTH, a local QTBIPOC+ event run by the legendary Auckland DJ HALFQUEEN (my favorite DJ). As someone who had attended many FILTH events and admired everything it stood for, I was beyond excited. FILTH has always been a space of freedom, creativity, and community, so having my TVs there felt like a huge milestone & opportunity. Filth has always provided a space for underrepresented & underground artists to have the opportunity to express themselves.
While I was setting up at the event, something completely unexpected happened when Auckland rapper Jess B approached me. She told me how much she loved my visuals and setup, and then offered me the opportunity to provide visuals for her upcoming Feels Like Home tour, coinciding with the release of her debut album. I was floored. I’d been following Jess B’s rise since 2018, and now she was personally asking me to be a part of such a huge moment in her career. Without hesitation, I said yes before I even thought about the logistics of hauling 10+ massive TVs halfway down the country for her Wellington show. Even now, I’m still blown away that she not only noticed my work but wanted me to be part of something so important to her.
Taking Knees TVs on the Road
On the morning of November 1st, my mum and I packed our van with as many TVs as we could fit and hit the road for the 646 km drive to Wellington. It was our longest trip yet for Knees TVs, but the excitement outweighed the exhaustion. Once we arrived, we wasted no time setting up TVs, cameras, glitch effects, everything needed to make sure the visuals elevated Jess B’s performance.
Despite the stress of making sure everything ran smoothly, I took a moment to step back and take it all in. This was one of the biggest gigs I had done, and it felt incredible to see my visuals projected onto a whole new audience in a new city. Jess and her team were incredibly supportive and appreciative, making the whole experience even more meaningful. The show itself was amazing, the crowd’s energy was electric, and the response to my visuals was unreal. When we left Wellington, exhausted but accomplished, the long drive home somehow felt much shorter.
Bringing It Home to Tāmaki Makaurau
One week later, we did it all over again for Jess B’s Auckland show. The setup was similar, but what made this show even more special was the addition of a live band. Seeing my visuals paired with a full band performance created an entirely different energy—it truly felt like home. As much as I loved the experience of traveling for the Wellington show, it was special to do a gig in both my hometown and Jess B’s.
The Feels Like Home tour was more than just another gig for me, it was a moment of validation. Being recognized by two incredible artists, HALFQUEEN and Jess B, reassured me that my work was making an impact. Looking back, there are things I would have done differently with my setup, but that’s just part of growing as an artist. More than anything, I’m grateful for the experience and the doors it has opened.
This tour proved that Knees TVs is more than just a concept, it’s something that belongs on big stages, alongside incredible artists, shaping the way people experience live music.
– Knees 🙂
