Review: Faith No More

Faith No More with the Eagles of Death Metal at Westpac Arena, Tuesday, February 16.
Reviewed by Vicki Anderson.

Epic! It was the second coming of Faith No More and devoted fans numbering about 4000 screamed "We care a lot!" after waiting for more than a decade to revisit history.

Kicking off proceedings were sexy rock beasts the Eagles of Death Metal – the project of Jesse "Boots Electric" Hughes.

Baby Duck wasn't there but Queens of the Stone Age's Joey Castillo was. Hughes was as smooth as always, baby – flashing T-shirt and all, it was a thrill to hear Wannabe In LA live. The bass started thudding through my heart, the volume was turned up to super loud. The fans' response was equally deafening as Faith No More walked on stage looking as eccentric as ever in peach and pink suits with yellow corsages.

Jackets were unbuttoned and discarded and the captivating Mike Patton, with slicked back hair and trademark megaphone, then led the group through a thoughtful set list that faultlessly mixed greatest hits with the band's best and little known numbers.

Faith No More's chemistry was magnetic.

Mike "Puffy" Bordin's grey dreads were the only sign that time had passed.

The years just melted away as Patton's fabulously eccentric approach, and astonishing vocal abilities, treated the crowd to a high energy show with substance. A laughing Patton bantered with the crowd, chastising those seated upstairs with "Are we in the public library? Are we reading Tolstoy?" and grabbed a cellphone from the crowd and sang into it.

Even in a two-hour set this group couldn't hope to play everything that fans came to hear – they just have so much to offer – but highlights were We Care A Lot, Easy Like Sunday Morning, Be Aggressive ("Christchurch you win"), Ashes To Ashes, Just A Man and personal favourites Ricochet and Epic.

As a show it was a completely satisfying experience.

Patton asked if we wanted "more" and the answer was unanimous. Two encores later the night ended.

Fans were well and truly rewarded for keeping the faith.

HAVE YOUR SAY: What did you think of the gig? Post your comments below.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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Brian M   #2   08:20 pm Feb 18 2010

This reviewer knows NOTHING about music. Where do they find these people?

Fletch   #1   08:07 pm Feb 18 2010

FNM - crowd numbers poor for CHCH. Shows a lack of class for South Islanders attending a gig for well known 90's icon's that produced original music. Nothing against those that went - truth to the Faith fans. FYI Sunday May 16th 1993 was the last time they played in CHCH at the Caledonian Hall. South Island dates included a mid week gig in Q-Town.

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