Spark Arena saw the new year in with style last night as Benson Boone rolled into town for a sold-out show that left fans euphoric.
Just over two years ago, Boone played to a capacity filled Tuning Fork, many of those present no doubt squeezed into the front row, to see what he could do when given a much larger venue to work with. They along with thousands of others would not have been left disappointed.
With no support act and the man of the hour arriving just after eight thirty as scheduled, it certainly was a well-oiled production. A slight set change to that of the Australian shows, Boone obviously wanted to go out on a high for his last show before he kicks of his next tour leg in March.
Arriving in a powder blue velvet jumpsuit that consisted of pants and a waistcoat adorned with white stars, a bandana to complete the fit, Boone almost looked like he had taken a step back in time to the regalia of the seventies, and the crowd loved it.
Backed by an incredibly talented four-piece band, dressed in white and atop various risers, the stage design was clean and simple. The focus was on Boone, and this was made evident by the giant screen behind him, in which his every move was projected in large scale.
Kicking it off with a bang, a highly energetic Boone began with Be Someone, and no less than four backflips, each one whipping the crowd into a frenzy.
Well known for his acrobatics, the early athletics career that he saw himself moving into before a last-minute stand in appearance for his friend’s talent show saw him take a musical pathway instead, would have suited him well.
At just twenty-two and already signed to the label Night Street Records owned by Dan Reynolds of Imagine Dragons, Boone has seen his popularity soar, and apparently across all ages, as the audience last night was filled with a range from five through to forty-five. The kids in particular knowing the words to every song backwards, forwards, and probably sideways.
Coffee Cake and Drunk in my Mind had the audience on their feet and singing as if their lives depended on it. The vocalist joking that he had forgotten the first line of the song, the attendees happily helping him out.
Vocally, Boone is stunning. His range not only impressive but effortlessly pitch perfect, his projection on point.
The show itself may have been very paint by numbers, but the New Zealand crowd did not mind one bit, especially when it meant that, like in previous shows, he leapt from the stage into the security pit to bond with those in the front row momentarily.
Cry and Pretty Slowly were both welcomed, but it was There She Goes with its heavy percussion lines, that presented everyone with a chance to punch the air in joy that really ramped the arena up.
Everyone in the stands on their feet as his band, now bathed in hues of orange and violet, took the song to the next level. His female guitarist who threw down a solo that was quite frankly epic, channelling Jimi Hendrix and many of the other greats. She even played it behind her head.
What would have been the icing on the cake was if Boone could have at least introduced his band, who really were an integral part of the show, even if relegated towards the back.
Slow it Down began with Boone on keys, before he once again leap frogged across the stage, his flips so effortless that it was hard not to be absolutely gob smacked by them, especially when his vocals did not even slightly falter. No lip syncing was involved, the man making that evident each time he dropped to his knees and held a note that made audience members gasp in shock and delight.
Friend began with a meaningful speech about how important it is to not only have friends, but spending time with them making memories. How friends could be people you meet through school, work or how they can even be your own family members. Many of the kids in the seated area suddenly hugging their siblings and guardians who had accompanied them to the show.
And if you don’t have anyone, you always have me.The line maybe a little trite when taken on a surface level, but really his fans do, music very often a friend to many. An artform that can lift someone up even on the darkest of days.
What Was saw Boone get a little cheeky, quite literally, as he stood atop the highest riser with his back turned to the audience, the camera panning in on his behind as he gave it a little smack and grinned. Many of the older audience members swooning while the younger ones giggled, the song concluding with a falsetto that threatened to break the sound barrier.
Calls for phones to be put away for the emotionally charged In the Stars were sadly ignored by a few members of the audience. The need to have the perfect Instagram moment overriding the chance to live in the moment despite Boone stating that he had no issue with cell phones for the rest of the show. Just not that song, which was deeply personal to him.
The end of the night was starting to close in, but Boone still had a few tricks up his sleeve. Forever and a Day providing Kiwi audiences the chance to see for themselves just why this Washington native is being touted as this generations Freddie Mercury.
Playing a game of call and response, his partial rendition of Banana Boat (Day-O) by Harry Belafonte, was breathtaking. Encouraging the crowd to sing backing vocals, Boone kept them going as he sang over the top and then let the audience finish the song off. It was a moment that really brought the entire arena together.
Speaking of how he has been working on new material for the next album and how his father was with him on tour, Auckland was treated to the yet to be released Mister Electric Blue. The song played through the speakers as Boone ran up and down lip-syncing to it in a rather humorous way. Fans thrilled to be getting a sneak peek into what was to come.
Surprisingly there was no encore or costume change, Boone and co instead choosing to tease the audience to the very end as they patiently waited for that song, the one that has featured on every Tik Tok, Instagram reel and radio station known to man.
Beautiful Things sent Auckland into a frenzy as they screamed the words at the top of their lungs. Boone performing a double front flip off the piano to bring it to a close before adding a set of tumbling cartwheels and kick flips.
As the band let loose and played out the end, Boone ran through the security pit once again, shaking the hands of as many as he could, and sweetly hugging the younger ones, before taking a giant New Zealand flag handed to him and holding it up on stage.
And with that he was gone, people soon trailing out onto the streets with huge smiles plastered across their faces. Groups singing his songs in unison as they made their way home.
Whether Benson Boone chooses to stay in this new musical career pathway that he stumbled into remains to be seen, but with a voice like that he is guaranteed to keep fans hooked for quite a while yet.
Sarah Kidd
Set List
Be Someone
Coffee Cake
Drunk in my Mind
Cry
Pretty Slowly
There She Goes
Slow It Down
Friend
Hello Love
What Was
In The Stars
To Love Someone
Forever and A Day
GHOST TOWN
Young American Heart
Be