Finneas – Auckland Town Hall, 7 January 2025: Review & Photo Gallery

8th January 2025

Auckland Town Hall buzzed with Finneas, the Grammy-winning producer and the creative force behind Billie Eilish’s rise to fame, who took the stage to launch his For Cryin’ Out Loud world tour, delivering an emotionally charged performance that left the crowd wanting more.

One of the loudest crowds as two extraordinary artists debuted their new albums.

Fazerdaze, New Zealand’s ethereal indie sensation, opened the night with her atmospheric soundscapes and the experimental new sounds from her latest album, Soft Power, setting the perfect tone for the evening.

The evening began with Fazerdaze and their hit classic song Break! A track that’s both infectious and introspective. The crowd was immediately swept into her atmospheric world. The combination of thumping EDM rhythms and ethereal vocals set the tone for a night of contrasting musical styles.

Vocalist Amelia Rahayu Murray played face-to-face with her exceptional partner in crime Dave Rowland, who was on keys and guitar. The crowd was enthusiastic, cheering them on from their entrance to their solos and exits.

Early on, purple lights bathed the stage, signalling the start of her Soft Power era.

The synth-backed songs, like Soft Power were where her gentle vocals shone through, floating effortlessly above the booming bass. The contrast between the quick EDM beats and her soft, almost fragile vocals was striking, drawing the crowd in with every note.

At one point, the bassist broke into an extended solo, and the crowd roared in appreciation.

But the highlight of the set came during Bigger, where the flashing spotlights synchronized with the background drum beats, creating a dynamic, pulsating atmosphere. The vocal harmonies were addictive, and the crowd was noticeably more engaged than at other opening shows at the Town Hall.

In an emotional moment, Fazerdaze shared how Finneas had inspired her when making her new album Soft Power, making the performance feel full circle as she played a track from her newest album Bigger. The set closed with the crowd still buzzing, eager for the main event to come.

Fazerdaze is set to headline the Powerstation on 22 March 2025. Don’t miss the chance to catch her live in action!

Even before Finneas took the stage, the anticipation in the air was electric, the crowd chanting his name.

The crowd erupted in cheers as he hit the first notes of his opening track, with red lights washing over the stage, amplifying the intensity. His raw energy, both on guitar and piano, had the crowd in a frenzy from the moment he appeared in a classy all black suit in front of the Town Hall organ.

One of the standout moments was during What’s It Gonna Take to Break Your Heart, a smooth pop-R&B track that had fans swaying and singing along. The jazzy synths and saxophone melody added layers of richness to the performance, while the addictive lyrics made it impossible not to dance from the seats to the floor.

Finneas’ connection with the crowd was palpable. He shared how he demanded the first show of his tour to be in Auckland as he loves the city.

He mentions how Billie’s show at the Tuning Fork all the way in 2017 was their third headline show ever, and he fell in awe with the energy of the crowd.

He had the audience eating out of his hand, walking into the crowd and even taking a fan’s iPhone to snap a selfie mid-song. His stage presence was magnetic, and every time he struck the first few notes on the piano or guitar, the crowd roared in recognition.

During Angel Finneas delivered a haunting piano performance that felt like a dedication to the fans who missed him in Laneway 2022. The emotion he poured into the song, especially with its stripped-down arrangement, left the crowd silent and captivated.

But it was All the Kids Are All Dying that truly showcased his songwriting brilliance. The track was elevated by flickering lights on the chorus, drawing the crowd into a trance-like state as Finneas delivered the satirical, biting lyrics with a mix of humour and melancholy.

His ability to craft deeply personal stories with humour, wit, and striking vulnerability is unmatched, and it resonated with every person in the room.

The evening’s emotional peak arrived with Till Forever Falls Apart, a track originally written with Ashe, but performed with Lucy Healey in her place.

As the bridge approached, the crowd took over, their voices blending into a massive choir. It was a moment of collective catharsis, with Finneas pointing the mic to the audience, who were more than ready to sing along. The performance reached a fever pitch, with Finneas dropping to his knees as he belted out the final notes, consumed by the song’s emotional intensity.

Finneas’ set was a perfect blend of intimate moments and stadium-sized energy, and his ability to weave anecdotes into the performance only added depth to the evening.

Classic songs from Blood Harmony like I Lost a Friend and Break My Heart Again showcased his willingness to let the crowd take the lead, allowing fans to sing the treasured lyrics from 2019 back to him with a sense of shared ownership.

The intimacy of the quieter moments contrasted with the pure adrenaline of the high-energy songs leaving fans with a chance to dance, scream or even weep a tear.

For the final song, Finneas saved his best lighting setup for For Crying Out Loud, with the stage bathed in lights circling around him that created a hypnotic atmosphere.

He wrapped himself in a New Zealand flag, offering a heartfelt thank you to the crowd before walking offstage, leaving behind a room full of fans buzzing from a stunning vocal performance.

Azrie Azizi