I arrive early at The Undercurrent, 118 Tory St, Pōneke, for Milly Moon’s Walking Songs extravaganza. I want to take in the atmosphere of this unique underground venue lovingly run by Philip and Helena, and occupied by an extensive, eclectic collection of books.  The Undercurrent, offering ‘Books, Music, Arts, Coffee, and Vibes’ proves to be a perfect venue for the show.  As Milly said: “Books is where my home is.”

Surrounded by 50 plus eclectic patrons of varying ages I sit back with my 3mint tea, a black current soda, a huge slice of carrot cake and enjoy the bohemian atmosphere.

A few notable prop items adorn the stage: a backpack, maps, a sign post and musical apparatus … Milly Moon’s Walking Songs begins.

During the terrible period of the ‘lockdown’ in 2020, in Melbourne Milly returns to Aotearoa after a marriage breakup. Suffering grief, sorrow and heartache, she decides to walk solo on Te Araroa trail, the length of Aotearoa from the top of the North Island, Te Rerenga Wairua, to the bottom of the South, Motupōhue. The props are employed as Milly Moon recounts her epic journey with poetry, songs, angst and laughter.

Milly’s blue hair, and simple and strong presence, paint an almost Beat Bohemian Soho look. She’s supported on-stage by her sister, Lucy-Belle Wilcox, as Milly introduces sign posts – ‘Departure’; ‘Courage’; ‘Solitude’, ‘Release’ to name a few.  As the evening moves along, it’s as a clever graphical way to weave song, tears and fear into her journey.

I am pleasantly surprised at the depths her voice reaches. Sharp cadences, undulated tempos, shrill highs and lower strokes have me mesmerised by her voice of lavender, rosemary and sage. I am spellbound as Milly recounts her journey, living out her experiences, heartache, fear and awakenings. She generously shared her epiphanies – moving through grief and tragedy and finding her voice as a wandering minstrel.

Starting with a soulful ballad and weaving her voice through the many other songs as she recounts her steps, and the beauty and exquisiteness of New Zealand’s landscapes, Milly finds the tools to write about her adventures and to create a collection of informative, moving, soulful songs that are her ‘Walking Songs’

Fear is a common theme of the show: fear of neglect, fear of loneliness, fear of abandonment, fear of loss … Fears to be confronted and Milly admits at times, and while walking over the Tararua’s Butcher’s Saddle in the pitch darkness, she prayed, and within the bleakness of the night she learned the true meaning of ‘loneliness’ and ‘solitude.’ 

Milly relates another story about an encounter with an unknown fellow traveller in a hut on Te Araroa. They barely spoke and the next day as her journey begins anew, she discovers a note surreptitiously left in her backpack, which reads “Whatever your name is, know that you are loved”. This, from the unknown traveller, is a profound and transformative moment, reflected in Milly’s song, ‘Your Name is Your Own’ about the reclaiming of her identity after her breakup.

Milly, with the aid of Lucy-Belle, dons the backpack to trudge through the land, and another heartfelt melody bursts forth to the ever-rapturous audience.  A map is produced and the journey continues.

‘Arrival’ is the last sign placed on the sign post and its lyrical accompaniment is Milly’s swan song. As spectators we know that Milly has discovered herself; she knows who she is, and with her sister ceremoniously walks of the stage as the audience clicks that although Milly has found enlightenment, the journey continues on and on. 

Milly Moon’s Walking Songs is a beautiful, soul-felt journey through the length of Aotearoa, and through the mountains and valleys of challenges, trials and triumphs of the human spirit. All of this, carried on Milly’s unique, clear and soulful voice. 

If you’re quick, you might catch Milly Moon and her Walking Songs as they continue their journey on this final tour.

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