Gig review: Nickelback in Auckland
BY NICHOLAS RUSSELL
Nickelback brought their highly polished power rock stage show to Auckland's Vector Arena on Saturday night. Reviewer Nicholas Russell and photographer Ben Watson were there.
Nickelback
Where: Vector Arena, Auckland
When: Saturday, November 7
Nickelback, the Backstreet Boys of rock, hit Auckland on Saturday night in a blaze of pyrotechnics and a show so polished it found a fitting home within the antiseptic confines of Vector Arena.
From the Mexican wave before the show started - it was a one day cricket crowd cruelly shorn of yobbos - to the mid-concert T-shirt guns, beer soaking (quarter-filled plastic cups launched into the audience) and pyrotechnic blaze of the finale it was pure soft-rock schmaltz all the way.
In their first headlining show in New Zealand, Nickelback delivered for their fans with a set showcasing their phenomenally successful chart-topping career.
The high point of the evening came late in the show as the tempo picked up with drummer Daniel Adair's thunderous drum solo followed by Burn it to the Ground and hit songs How You Remind Me, Too Bad and Someday.
It was slick - too slick, really - and although the crowd interaction kept the show lively, it was also frequently inane.
Where many rock acts keep the chit-chat to a minimum, singer/guitarist Chad Kroeger suffered from volcanic verbal flatulence.
With all the charisma of a potty-mouthed Evangelist preacher, he strode to the stage holding forth on how much he'd like a bong, before delving into South Park parody to introduce touring guitarist Tim Dawson.
Not being 13-years-old I found the endless "Timmy" references pretty tiring, but Nickelback clearly know their audience, with repeated references to kids who were there with their parents.
It was a pretty low-brow affair, especially when they played Photograph and made use of their massive audio visual screen to cringe-worthy effect.
The selection of band photos flashing up on the screen was punctuated by an All Blacks insignia, photos of Mt Cook and the Tino Rangatiratanga flag. It was the rock equivalent of a stuffed crust pizza with extra cheese.
The song selection for the show had a good balance, with the explosive opening song Something in Your Mouth and raunchy Figured You Out making way for the Bryan Adams-esque Gotta Be Somebody and treacle laden If Everyone Cared midway through, before the impressive final stanza.
Nickleback have put together a cohesive, clinical and entertaining stage show rather than a rock concert.
With album sales worldwide on the decline this kind of stage show might be the new aesthetic, but I bloody hope not.
* What did you think of the show? Post your comments below.
- © Fairfax NZ News
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Thoroughly enjoyed Nickelback's concert and certainly wasn't disappointed with their sound. Especially liked the older songs ... 'figured you out' and 'because of you' are both standouts for me. I don't like some bands but I wouldn't waste my precious time telling anyone about it ... credit where credit's due; Nickelback Rocks!!!
I WENT to nickelbacks consert and nearly died i just couldnt beleave i was seeing them like a biggggg dre4am come true it was amazingg i live and breath nickelback :P BESTTT BANDDD EVAAAAA i am in love with nickelback im your BIGGST FANNN
I went to this Nickelback concert and found it ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!! I had the best time of my life and i am definately going to see them again. I found Chad's jokes very funny (especially the one about Timmy, i'm only 14). Nickelback rocks!!!!
Funnily enough I am not a Nickelback fan but went as wife & friends wanted to go but have to admit it was a brilliant show! Great sound, entertainment and performance ... sure the chit chat may have been a little long at times but it cannot be denied Chad Kroeger is an excellent front man & they delivered a top performance on the night (Vector Arena)
nickelback was truely amazing! I have been to several live concerts including chris brown and rihanna, switchfoot, the veronicas, midnight youth and NICKELBACK were by far the best! I really enjoyed the interactions with the crowd, and all the jokes. Chad is a really funny guy! Vocall, they were the best again. As they didn't use a backup track and they didn't lipsync they were amazing and they were still way better then chris brown live ( who lip synced half of his concert) The money spent on the Nickelback tickets was way worth it. When they come back down under, i will definitly be going back. In a heart beat.
"it was a one day cricket crowd cruelly shorn of yobbos" "Chad Kroeger suffered from volcanic verbal flatulence." "With all the charisma of a potty-mouthed Evangelist preacher" "It was the rock equivalent of a stuffed crust pizza with extra cheese."
Thats not a review thats an attack. Check yourself fool!!
hugs and kisses, Aaron
As usual a bunch of people who seem to think that reviews are a personal attack. Thanks for the concise review, it told me all I wanted to hear about the show.
Glad I didn't go and while not a fan of this type of corporate product delivery will never tell someone else that they are tools, idiots, morons, or stupid for enjoying a Nickleback gig.
So why call people that when they don't like something and express their opinion.
haha you're a tool mate, If you dont think nickelback put on a rock concert you'll be hard pushed to find many successful bands that do. The show in my opinion was absolutely unreal, and I was laughing when he spoke and the fact that he was talkin made the show feel way more personal. I reckon you don't know what your talking about and you reckon it's cool to jump on the "I Hate Nickelback" band wagon. They got balls, talent and are about as rockstar as bands get these days. I rate your review 1/10, and the 1 was for correct spelling, idiot!!
I thought this show was fantastic. Extremely talented musicians and Chad's voice is absolutely awesome. They sound exactly like they do on the CDs. A very professional and entertaining evening. Loved it!
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I thought it was great,especially when they played Photgraph and How you Remind me,which are my favourite tracks.He did blab alot,but the crowd was entertained and it was through and through.