Gig review: The B52s in Auckland
IN THE GROOVE: The B52s perform at ' A Day on the Green' in Auckland.
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The weather threatened to spoil an otherwise perfect night out but the crowd was determined to dance their socks off to The B52s. Reviewer Tracey Bond was there.
The B52s
Where: Villa Maria Vineyard, Auckland
When: Sunday, December 13
On Saturday night the Martinborough B52s concert was cancelled due to high winds, leaving thousands of concert-goers disappointed.
But people arriving at the Villa Maria Vineyard in Auckland were greeted by glorious sunshine.
The crowd had made a massive effort to get into the mood to party and had heeded the band’s call to "fly their freak flag".
There were plenty of mini dresses, thigh-high boots and beehives bobbing around the vineyard as the B52s prepared to rock the crowd.
The Pink Flamingos set the tone for the concert with plenty of feel-good, dance-friendly tunes.
Support act The Proclaimers crooned their way through their impressive repertoire effortlessly, proving what a talented duo they are.
Playing Letter from America second song in failed to rouse the crowd but by I’m on my Way people were grooving in the aisles.
By the time the boys from Leith played I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) just about everyone was up out of their seats.
The atmosphere at the winery was festive and good natured with people passing around home-baked goodies.
From the moment The B52s came out everybody was up out of their seats and off their picnic blankets dancing.
This was the band’s final date in their A Day on the Green tour and the band members played it for all they were worth.
The beehives which helped cement their image may be gone, but the flowing locks remain and flame-haired beauty Kate Pierson took to the stage in a sequinned mini dress, while Cindy Wilson strutted around the stage in a strapless dress accessorised by a white feather boa.
Keith Strickland looked dapper in a three-piece suit on guitar.
In case anybody was in any doubt, Fred Schneider wore a bright red T-shirt with the word ‘cool’ emblazoned across his chest, he kept his sunglasses on throughout the set.
They set the tone for the evening by opening with the suitably infectious Pump from their latest album Funplex.
A steady downpour midway through the set couldn't dampen the crowd's enthusiasm.
Despite playing for more than three decades together the band still look like they are having fun on stage.
Pierson and Wilson sounded as crisp and clear on Roam as they did when they released it back in 1989.
On Hot Corner the band busted out their dance moves with Schneider announcing to the crowd, "This is where we started out."
The crowd sang along to an epic version of Love Shack, with the lyrics modified to ‘Knock a little louder Auckland’.
For the encore the band played crowd favourites Planet Claire and Rock Lobster.
Concert-goers were still buzzing as they made their way back to their cars through soggy grass and discarded wine bottles.
* Did you go to the show? Post your comments below.
- © Fairfax NZ News
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We had 4 tickets to the Villa-Maria show. We had never been to a show at Villa maria before. The tickets we received in the mail said umbrellas weren't allowed and we couldn't bring our own refreshments. We imagined queuing for ages drinks. It was a hot, sunny day...with rain forecast. The venue web site said parking was limited and we should car pool or take the bus. But don't park here, or here...or here....
Bad enough we spent over $400, but if we attended we risked getting sun burnt, rained on, nowhere to park, possible traffic hassles...and we couldn't even bring our own bottles of water or an umbrella.
We looked at each other....and said "f*** it"...and didn't bother going. You might think that's dumb....but instead we fired up the barbie, played some tunes and had a few beers...and it didn't rain where we live. I think we made the right choice. We won't be wasting any more money on events like the Villa Maria one. Too much hassle to be bothered with.
yay for 1 hit wonders!
I was at Alana on Saturday, and I'm sure the B-52s did want to play but I'm with CF on this one. The most amateurish thing was nobody told us it was all off until we'd been sitting around for two hours (in my case, after a two-hour bus ride from Wellington and with next to no food or drink, having hoped to buy some once I got in). And although the wind was pretty bad, I have cycled in worse many times! Any outdoor even in the lower North Island between October and March is virtually guaranteed to be cancelled due ro wind, rain or both, so from now on I'm buying tickets to indoor events ONLY. (And ewen then, an asteroid will probably hit the venue or something!) PS. Apparently I can get a refund for the concert ticket, but not for the bus.
Very envious of the Auckland crowd that got to see the B52's and their supporting acts. Was on the vineyard in Martinborough It was the closest I'd ever come to flying like a bird with wind power. It was big peoples wind...definitely not for amateurs.
Congrats Villa Maria-what a venue and superb set up B52's rocked the house-loved our nite-thanks Venture Inn and Suites too-highly recommend hotel for Villa Maria
The B52s wanted to perform but the stage wasn't safe. CF you don't know what you're talking about. If you'd been out there you would have known how dangerous it was.
Unbelievable that they cancel a concert in Wellington because it's windy. What a bunch of amatures!!
Pink Flamingos were superb. Never could stand the Proclaimers but the B52's rocked. Saw them in early 90's at supertop but this was much better. Still can't believe people were leaving during their set. Will take a couple of days for leg muscles to recover from dancing.
Oh well - the wind got the better of alana, the rain got the mission . But the group of friends i was with canceled all that out. Pity missed the proclaimers. Some funny things happen when you are waiting and waiting for a concert to start. Bring on the next .....
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Great venue at Villa Maria. Sat to the left of the stage and left the pinic behind when the B52s started, and danced right up front. Food and drinks still where we left them at end of show. Plenty of parking, a no hassle gig. Loved it. B52s rocked. Kate Pierson still does it for me, even at 61yo! Hey even I have aged since seeing them at the bigtop. These retro concerts are good with no young bogans around.