Tommy Emmanuel mentioned from the stage this evening that he had many fond memories of Auckland City. He also said he noticed the changes. As I strolled up Queen Street on the way to the gig, I looked across at a huge flashing sign “Let AI Do Your Job”. While seeming to suggest that tech is a useful tool, it felt more like an offensive middle finger by the Auckland City Council. Later in the show, Tommy shared that he liked to see real people do real things, as did his audience. Hence he still has a job.
Tommy had said in January “Let’s kick ass in 2026”. As always, tonight he did.
When he walked on at the Town Hall, Tommy sat down in a chair and performed three songs from his new album Living In The Light. At first I thought he may have been a bit tired from the slog of the road, but sitting is a common approach for classical guitarists. The songs still had his energy and deep feel. These elements are a huge part of his style. As the gig progressed, I realized he was probably warming up in a relaxed fashion. Solitude in public. Sitting on the couch, eyes closed, going for it.
After that, he stood up, put the chair aside, and talked to the crowd.
Tommy has always delivered a dynamic show. He is channeling. He told the audience that while people see him as a guitarist, he is a composer first. This always struck me as who he was. You can often see him mouthing words to instrumental tracks. Tommy has never felt the need to have to sing on gigs. But he can sing well. Tonight’s performance of Deep River Blues showed how amazingly his voice has matured. He sounded like a true soulful blues singer, but in the best way, he still sounded like himself.
He has a wide spectrum of music. He will sway (literally as well) between sparse ambient ballads and ballistic rocking grooves.
His guitar based drum solo has always been a cornerstone of his show. He has developed it so much over the years, pushing the amount of sounds he can get out of his axe. This part of the performance also exposes Tommy’s comedic skills. He pulls faces and bangs his head on the vocal mic. Tonight was the best I’ve ever seen him do it. His energy investment was literally through the roof, eyes closed, his head raised to the heavens. At the finish he told everyone he had to lower his heart rate. No surprise.
Tommy admitted that he is a road guy. Like Keith Richards, he is fully magnetized by the attraction of traveling and gigging. He said that he only has to be home a few days before he is looking out the window thinking about his next gigs. He is made for touring, but he has heart. He is a family man. It’s a dichotomous situation but he handles it. Family inspires many of his emotional ballads. Tonight Angelina dedicated and written for his daughter, and the new song Little Georgia, composed for the love of his granddaughter.
He has always covered Beatles songs, and joked this evening about them getting royalties. His performance of Michelle was the most ambient and outside the box I have ever seen him do it.
On performing Initiation he went back to his roots in the outback of Australia, and to the fundamentals of his use of effects and delay.
Support act Mike Dawes is a very skilled guitarist. Tommy has obviously been a big influence on him.
Tommy started a new guitar genre that has influenced so many. He is always in the moment and into the spontaneity of invention.
Mike joined Tommy on stage at the end of the show and they did a nice version of Smells Like Teen Spirit. It was unexpected, if not unexpected when it comes to Tommy Emmanuel. An impressive highlight. Tommy is open to things. Always learning.
Keep on kicking ass TE. Travel safe
John Kempt
Photography by Leonie Moreland
Tommy Emmanuel
Mike Dawes
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