Welcome to Mass
The Harley Davidson roared onto the stage, drowning out any noise the crowd tried to make. Mass is now in session…
Change of Plans
Saturday was supposed to be Ozzy Osbourne headlining, with Judas Priest being the opener. But due to his failing health, Ozzy had to pull out and cancel his No More Tours tour. Pretty ironic, if you think about it. But the Oz Man is getting on in years, and who can blame him? Surely he, like many before, deserve a bit of a rest?
In light of this, Priest stepped up to the pulpit and enlisted Halestorm to be their opener. Being a Priest fan and being so-so about Halestorm, I saw this as a great opportunity to see Priest and maybe have my mind changed about Halestorm. Let’s see what they have to offer.
Slow Morning
Saturday morning started slow, after only getting home after midnight the night before. My ears still ringing, and my mind still buzzing, I took the chance to be a complete lazy bum. The Cirque du Soli guys were still sleeping after all, so no one was there to judge me. But its not too surprising, considering their job was basically night shift gym.
After a bit of lollygagging, it was time to get up, and no wake the other guests. I quietly stole to the lounge and started writing this trip down. You see, I have this dream of one day being a famous travel blogger, or a gig reviewer, or someone whos words draw lots of “ooo’s” and “ahh’s”. Sothis was a good use of my time, if I do say so myself. Plus, any excuse to use my Surface. Dear reader, have you told you how much I love making notes on a digital screen with a stylus, as if I am some budding Ernest Hemingway.
I was so enthralled, it took me until lunch time to realise that breakfast was missed and lunch was needed. Oh dear. Oh dear, indeed. You see the Airbnb might have organised breakfast, but it definitely didn’t organise lunch. It wasn’t that fancy… Stomach rumbling, it was time to find some pants and then some food. Auckland city called to me… Or rather, the promise of food in Auckland City.
It was time for some burgers. And since I am heading out, I may as well stay until the gig… Smart and beautiful - a triple threat!
Spark Arena
The venue for the gig was Spark Arena - just past Britomart in downtown Auckland. No bus needed today, just a short walk from Queen Street. A short walk that allowed much exploring of Auckland’s Queen Street.
The one thing I like about these types of gigs, when its in the city and you have to walk to them, is slowly but surely becoming part of the black line snaking its way to the venue. It starts slowly at first. Just you and maybe someone else. Then someone else, or even a group, leave a pub, and you can tell by their shirts that they are heading in the same direction. You look across the road and see a few people in band shirts.
And before you know it, the excitement as you join the throng of humanity is palpable. Seeing all the different band shirts, the dreads, the mohawks - its a very special part of the gig, and one I really enjoy.
I thought I had arrived early, but there was already a queue, and the merch store was already inundated by people who suddenly forgot what size shirt they wear, or what bands they’re here to see. Since both queues were the same length, I joined the merch line, because that is what you do when going to a gig. You need the shirt, the one with dates on it, to prove you were there after all. And with the Priest shirt acquired, it was time to join the real queue, which has grown way beyond the crowd control barriers by now.
Let The Waiting Begin
Going to concerts alone is a weird feeling if you’ve never done it before or have only done it once or twice. Technically, everyone there has a lot more in common that the rest of the general populace. However, striking up a conversation with those around you can seem forced. It helps if you’re funny, or naturally outgoing. Both of which I think I am, but probably less so in real life.
Before now, I think I had only gone to two by myself - Evanescence in 2011, and the Disturbed / Trivium gig back in 2011. I mean, I was never going to miss seeing those guys live, no matter what. This was my third or forth, taking myself to see a gig, and I was starting to get the hang of it, and really enjoy the freedom it comes with only having to answer to yourself.
The doors opened, the tickets were scanned, and we were now allowed inside. To wait some more…
Halestorm
Let me preface this with a simple - I am not a Halestorm fan. I don’t find them interesting, nor exciting. I don’t think they have added much to the rich tapestry metal, and that’s completely fine. Sometimes you need a band that knows its firmly in the middle lane, that its not pushing boundaries, or doing anything different. Its the pop side of this genre - you need cookie cutter to get the masses in, and then you introduce them to Norwegian Death Metal later. Halestorm, to me, are that gateway drug. It gets enough girls interested that the metal population can continue to continue.
Halestorm were good. Not great. I wouldn’t have gone if these were the only guys on stage, I can tell you that. The drummer was the best part their entire show - he seemed to be way more talented than the rest of the band. Halestorm didn’t blow me away, but they also didn’t make me go hunt for a drink in the middle of their set.
In saying that, I wasn’t there for them, so seeing them live was just a bonus.
Priest
These guys are legends of metal. The last true rock stars. And they try very hard to live up to that. Rob Halford, at 66 years old, clad in leather, spikes and swords (yes, he had a sword at one stage), rode out on a Harley Davidson, and boy was it loud! The guitarist, with his flowing blonde hair, stood on the speaker, Ray Bans aviators on for the whole show, sometimes with his shirt off, and shredding the guitar, giving the crowd exactly what they want their rockstars to be and act like.
Rob’s voice in real life is truly something. There’s no need for mixing, mastering , or tweaking here. As you get it on the album, so you get it in real life. His high notes are incredible, his stage presence even more so. These guys know you’re here to see a show, you’re here to see rockstars be larger than life, and, they know that for the few hours they’re up on stage, you’re a member of the band. And boy, do Judas Priest deliver that. Without a doubt, so far, this has been one of the best live acts I have ever seen.
Along with Ozzy, i hope Rob and co, go on to stay with us for much longer than we deserve.
Shows Over
Afterwards, I was on a post-gig high, and wanted to call Simone to reassure her I still had my ribs intact. Apparently. I was yelling at her the whole call while I followed the crowd back into the city. Along the way, at every watering hole, there was a group of black clad brothers, all in the uniform, all yelling at each other. No doubt because their ears were ringing as much as mine were…
I hung around in the city for an hour, back at the DingDong lounge and then called it quits. Two massive nights, enough exercise to get a horse taken out back, it was time for bed. Thank goodness for Uber and the convivence of having a stranger take me home.
Your humble servant,
Kyle