I have been to every NZ show Macklemore has previously done, well every Auckland show at least and one Wellington. I need to double check that. But it has been a long time since he has graced our shores. Obviously he came here for Friday Jams but I’m talking headline shows.
Now upon landing in Aotearoa, Macklemore released the tracks ‘Hinds Hall’. This is a response to the genocide in Palestine and Hinds Hall is what the Columbia students changed the name of Hamilton Hall too. In honour of one of the young martyrs of the genocide. If you aren’t aware of what is happening in America with universities and what he speaks of in this track, I recommend you look into it.
FREE PALESTINE!
Anyway this is how the show started honestly. As you approached Spark Arena. A group of pro-Palestine supporters were chanting and waving flags. One guy approached me and asked to scan a QR code which created a digital Palestine flag to hold up during his performance of Hinds Hall. This was in replacement of flags that the venue was restricting and had announced via social media just before doors. I personally found this disgusting as, regardless of venue rules, you knew this would happen and what the artist stands for, but you chose to restrict it. I was even informed later in the night that the Free Palestine shirt I was wearing was up for consideration in regard to what could come into the venue.
I was grateful to see later in the night that a few people managed to sneak their flags in which one was proudly held by Macklemore has he finished his show. But anyway let me tell you about this show…
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Mr Nick Beeba kicked off the show. If you don’t know who he is, he tours with Macklemore as part of his band. His DJ set was a whole vibe. His energy just felt so positive and wholesome. Honestly I just wanted to hug him. He seemed like he was a cool dude and the DJ set gave those same vibes. Definitely a great warm up to what we had coming.
I don’t want to spoil too much because honestly you should go see it and hopefully these images give you enough to see what a vibe it was.
As a fan, I’ve always known Macklemore delivers an incredible show. But it had been a while and I also hadn’t listened to much of his new album ‘Ben’. However I have to say, if you know all the stuff before that, this setlist won’t disappoint.
Macklemore has toured with the same crew on stage for years, with only a change or two each time. Seeing those few same faces again felt special like you were seeing friends again after a long time. And I have to say the vibe and energy his dancers and band bought to the stage was insane. Like you just wanted to jump on the stage and dance with them. From outfit changes to water cannons and pyro. There was a bit of everything.
As a photographer I have to say, the lighting and visuals were so great as well. Like an all-encompassing great show.
One of the stand out tracks for me, apart from hearing ‘Hinds Hall’ live was Macklemore performing Otherside. He has previously performed this but it definitely feels like it’s more a track that may or may not make the setlist. It isn’t even on streaming platforms, only the remix is. So it’s one of those, if you know, you know tracks.
Eric Nally is still touring with him as well to do the iconic track that is ‘Downtown’. One thing that always gets me about Eric’s performance is not just his insane vocals but that way he drops on his knees, my knees could never. Honestly I just want to ask him about that because ouch but iconic.
And I can’t not mention the legends that did the ‘Dance Off’. Both killed it and just gave it all they had. It is not an easy thing to do but love that they really got up there and showed Macklemore that NZ can throw down.
Then as most have seen and as I mentioned, he climbed on the crowd with a Palestine flag and just vibed with the crowd for the last song ‘Can’t Hold Us’. Confetti shot out over the crowd and with a “Free Palestine till it’s backwards” he left the stage.
This show just made me feel so happy and I truly had so much fun. I think even if you didn’t know his music you would enjoy it so much. But he was vocally on point, had great banter and his dancers + band killed it. I wish I could see it one more time. If you’re on the fence about going or have ever debated going, I say yes. Have fun!
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SETLIST:
Chant
Thrift Shop
No Bad Days
White Wall
Same Love
Downtown
Heroes
Hinds Hall
Wing$
Otherside
1984
And We Danced
Dance Off
Glorious
Good Old Days
Can’t Hold Us
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