Gig review: Black Eyed Peas
BY CLIO FRANCIS
The Black Eyed Peas served up an epic performance in a one-off show at Auckland's Vector Arena. Reviewer Clio Francis was there.
Black Eyed Peas
Where: Vector Arena, Auckland
When: Tuesday, October 13
The Black Eyed Peas love New Zealand.
And they seemed intent in proving just how much at last night's frenetic, high-impact show in Auckland.
In their first trip to New Zealand since 2005, the Peas mainly dealt with hits from their latest album, The END, but also played crowd favourites from their previous two releases, Elephunk and Monkey Business.
Last night's sell-out performance in Auckland was the BEP's final show for the first leg of the tour, and they promised the devoted crowd they'd saved the best till last.
The show kicked off with world-wide hit Let's Get It Started and continued at break-neck speed.
The group set a frantic pace, the action not slowing for a heartbeat in the two-and-a-half hour extravaganza of dancing, music and lights.
The stage-show was impressive - from the super surrealist, lycra-clad back-up dancers to the intense lighting displays. It all appeared slick and polished.
Front-woman and favourite tabloid fodder Stacy 'Fergie' Ferguson did not disappoint, dominating the stage with her magnetic sex appeal.
Showcasing her powerful voice, Fergie also performed several songs from her solo album, Fergalicious - Glamorous and Big Girls Don't Cry - which went down a treat with the crowd.
Will-i-am proved to be the nights ultimate showman, demanding the crowd get involved and letting everyone know he was in Auckland to party.
Mid-way through the show the lights went down as Will-i-am hit the decks for a frenzied turntable set.
"Yo, I wanna know if I can (turn) this arena into a club right now."
The crowd dissolved into a sweaty mess as he pumped out remixes of classic rock, hip-hop and mainstream pop hits.
Later, Peas staples' such as My Humps and Pump It pushed the crowd into a delirious state of excitement.
Classic anthems Shut Up and Where Is The Love? pounded the arena as the crowd sung along to every word.
Will-i-am confessed his love for New Zealand to the sold-out crowd over and over.
"New Zealand is a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful country - ladies and gentleman, I could live in New Zealand."
He promised the Peas would be coming back soon - next time visiting Wellington and Christchurch too.
After a long encore and amid explosions of confetti, champagne and screaming the groups bid adieu with their latest hit, I Gotta Feeling.
I think the crowd would agree it was a good, good night.
* What did you think of the show? Post your comments below.
- © Fairfax NZ News
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What's with the photo collection of Fergie? I thought there were photos of the Black Eyed Peas with this article.
The concert was absolutely amazing, the best performance we have ever seen and rocked the whole town. The whole atmosphere was fantastic and every-one looked like they were enjoying it. The support band FLMOA rocked too and will be purchasing their album this week. BEP's did such amazing job with the finer details of frequent costume changes (HOT!!!) introducing themselves with their own individual songs and the fun grafiti at the end with their song "I got a feeling". Will-i-am rocked as a DJ at the concert and the after party. We were also treated like vip's at the after party with the fab staff at the Fu & Zen bar and will go back. We will definetly see them again when they come back as they left us SPELLBOUND! Mel & Jen - Spellbound Promotions
It was a great concert! I was near the front of the stage on the right hand side and had an awesome view of the band members. Wil-I-am did his thing with the turn tables and it was amazing!
I was a little dissapointed with the crowed to be honest.. well the crowed around me.. they lacked enthusiasm and energy which sucked.
Never the less I had a great time and a highight was seeing Apl.d.Ap sing the tagalog song Mare, one of my favourite songs on the albulm. "I like it Ma-re.. i like it like it!"... Filipino Pride !
amazing, really really good concer to the BEP and also LMFAO! both were so good, and id definatly go and see them again when they come. After party was cool too!
lets be honest Fergie is pretty average!! anyone remember her opening act for the police? i have not heard a worse act :)but BEP's ROCK :)
Just to provide some balance here I would like to provide my impression of this show. To me this felt very much like an overhyped international act at the tail end of a tour going through the motions and spouting the usual crowd pleaser tag lines like "this is the best crowd I have ever seen" and "we love you ......(try to remember the name, oh yeah) Auckland" This show to me was all pomp and production with very little substance. And why would you DJ a 30 min set of other peoples music mid show? Not enough good material? I wont even mention the support act. YAWN! I cannot comment on the sound quality as I was never in front of the speakers. (Spent the night side of stage) Sorry if I offend anyone here but I was looking forward to this show but left very dissapointed. My two cents anyway.
BEPs was AMAAAAZING! so stoked fergie did some of the songs off her album...the BEPs know how to paaarty and they showed it on Tues!! (afterparty venue was a bit of a let down though)
Fergie has completely ruined the Black Eyed Peas. Bring back their style of Behind The Front and Bridging The Gap with Kim Hill as their backup vocalist.
One wonders if the referance to comming back soon to Wellington - Chch could have anything to do with the fact they are one ot opening act options for U2s world tour ?
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Who sings with the black eyed peas?