Gwen Stefani in Auckland

There were plenty of dramatic theatrics and bizarre costumes during Gwen Stefani's sold out show at Auckland's Vector Arena. Reviewer Chris Schulz was there.

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Gwen Stefani
Where: Vector Arena, Auckland
When: Thursday, July 26

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Watching international acts attempt to win Kiwi audiences over is always a bit of a laugh.

Most settle for spouting a bit of Kiwiana, saying hi to the fans at the back and telling the crowd they're "the best yet".

Not Gwen Stefani.

Two-thirds of the way through her sold-out show at Auckland's Vector Arena, the Hollaback Girl jumped the security barricade and ran past the fully-seated floor crowd to get up close and personal with her "delicious" fans in the back seats.

Not content with standing in front of them, Stefani jumped a second barricade, ran up a flight of stairs and joined the squealing masses to sing her '80s synth-pop homage Cool.

Hey, even Pink didn't do that.

It was a thrilling highlight in a set full of sophisticated pop songs, multiple costume changes, great dance routines and enough theatrics to rival a West End play.

Stefani promised her "shit was bananas", and for the most part, it was.

But it wasn't a great start. Stefani opened the show with a lukewarm version of her current hit The Sweet Escape, emerging from the wings wearing the first of many fashion crimes - a black-and-white striped secretarial outfit.

The songs improved. The outfits - ranging from giant bow ties to glittery mini-skirts, tights, tailored jackets and crop tops - didn't.

During Rich Girl, Stefani - a budding fashion designer - proved her vocal versatility when she rapped Eve's verse herself and began to win the crowd of mostly young teens over by asking why she hadn't visited sooner.

She answered the question herself during Yummy, when - wearing a maid's outfit - she sang: "I know you've been waiting, I've been off making babies".

She later dedicated a song to her hubby Gavin Rossdale and son Kingston, who are both on tour with her. Aww.

But the big question on everyone's lips was, could the yummy mummy and former No Doubt front woman yodel? Stefani's bonkers hit Wind It Up provided her biggest vocal challenge, and she proved she could pull if off - even if the crowd helped her out a little.

Stefani also had help from a large crew of back-up dancers, who provided plenty of energy behind her during a series of impressive routines. Stefani - who gave birth just a year ago - proved she and her pancake-flat stomach could easily keep up with them.

The show fell a little flat during slower songs like Early Winter and The Real Thing, but they proved to be the only filler in the 90 minute set.

Stefani has plenty of hits - and ridiculously quick costume changes - up her sleeve to keep the crowd entertained, and she knew the right time to bring them out, just like she knew when to jump the barricade to meet her fans.

Hollaback Girl, Now That You've Got It and the disco pop encore What You Waiting For? were major highlights from a pop star who knows how to win an audience over from the back to the front.

- © Fairfax NZ News