It’s taken him the best part of 40 years to get down this way, and finally Lenny Kravitz plays Aotearoa!
The multi-instrumentalist psychedelic-rocker, who made an impact with a string of hits from the end of the 1980’s to the mid-90’s, has been a long time coming to visit here.
So, it was with an air of expectation, curiosity and excited anticipation, we flocked to central Auckland’s Spark Arena once again, for Lenny Kravitz’s only NZ show.
Prepping the people in support, Troy Kingi and his fine band took the stage with a propulsive blend of Psychedelia, Rock, Funk and Soul.
A couple of tunes off 2017’s classic Shake That Skinny Ass All the Way to Zygertron stood out for mine, which was getting a right thrashing back then.
Kingi’s 10 10 10 series (ten albums in ten years, each a differing genre) is nearing its completion, and his catalogue is well worth dipping into. Kingi’s mix of Funk meets Soul with some spicy sauce was a great pairing for this gig for sure.
Enter Lenny Kravitz, and the beginning of a sensory overload. Nearing the loudest sound blast in this arena that I can remember in recent times, cranking up at least as much as Disturbed and Iron Maiden.
Lighting in your face and multi-screens seemingly covering the complete near side of the arena, the tone was set to big.
Ploughing through Bring It On and Dig In with trademark posturing and electric guitar, Kravitz moved to bass and slapped out TK421 (which surely must be a reference to Star Wars).
The heavy Funk of Always on The Run was juxtaposed with over-exposed black & white videography, bringing a very retro 60’s aesthetic.
Proficient on many instruments and much influenced by his predecessors Stevie Wonder and Prince, Kravitz drew on Sly Stone here also.
Stopping for a breather, and looking Marley-like on the big-screens with his prodigious dreadlocks, Kravitz gazed out to all parts of the arena – I’m in love already he proclaimed, why did it take my whole life to come here?
Taken aback and seemingly over-whelmed by being on these shores, and along with a warm-welcoming response from the crowd, Kravitz gave praise to the most high, and kicked into the sample-filled I Belong to You.
Believe, with nods to Christian themes, seemingly created a convergence between Rock concerts and contemporary modern church services. Blurred lines right there.
Some new ones – Honey and Paralyzed, provided a worthy brace off his latest. Hey, it’s the Blue Electric Light Tour after all.
Kravitz mapped out his set by lifting a string of one track per record off each of his middle albums, notably repositioning to the piano for the power ballad I’ll Be Waiting.
It Ain’t Over Til It’s Over, with pixelating screen imagery ala Minecraft, turned back the clock again with echoes of The Supremes and the 60’s – Kravitz again revealing he is a cunning borrower and re-inventor of past musical elements.
Kravitz’s 10-strong ensemble band were united in teamwork and equally spread talent.
His long-term musical collab Craig Ross delivered the most-appropriate guitar riffs and searing solos when called upon. Bassist Hoonch Choi was just referred to as The Wolf. Keys man George Laks filled space delightfully, and the horn section of Big Daddy Harold Todd (tenor sax), Michael Sherman (baritone sax) and Cameron Johnson (trumpet/flugelhorn) had the come on strong and go cool factor down pat.
Drummer Jas Kayser went for the wild look with her frizzed to the max hair, and delivered bang on perfect archetypal Rock drumming, honouring Kravitz’s own recorded drum tracks, as well as her predecessor Cindy Blackman. And yes, she got the biggest applause of the night! (The two backing vocalists names I did not catch).
Not that this is super-important or essential even, but it was note-worthy that Kravitz and band did a magnificent job of replicating very closely a lot of the songs very close to their recorded versions, whilst maintaining an organic essence.
By the time Again came around, all bums off seats was the encompassing trend.
Covering Canadian Rocker’s The Guess Who’s American Woman, it was down the home straight of big and bigger bangers.
Fly Away rocked the house as it always has, and then an absolute favourite and Kravitz’s career-defining song in many ways, the super-stonker – Are You Gonna Go My Way. Has there ever been a greater Rock song about JC than this one?
Such a sweet spot to end on, but an encore was welcomed and needed as Kravitz had yet to play something off his debut. And so, it was back to where it all started with the infamous title-track – Our prayer, and our desire for planet earth, Kravitz introduced an extended version of his anthem Let Love Rule.
One of the best nights of my life Kravitz revelled, and was throughout all about love, togetherness, and keeping it super on the up.
A stellar performance, smoking band, immaculate production values and thank God Lenny kept politics, religion and race out of the room. Lenny Kravitz, it must be said – you delivered, and you rock!
Mike Beck
Photo credit: Mia Ross
Setlist
1) Bring It On
2) Dig In
3) TK421
4) Always On The Run
5) I Belong To You
6) Stillness Of Heart
7) Believe
8) Honey
9) Paralyzed
10) Low
11) The Chamber
12) I’ll Be Waiting
13) It Ain’t Over Til It’s Over
14) Again
15) American Woman
16) Fly Away
17) Are You Gonna Go My Way
18) Let Love Rule (Encore)
