REVIEW + PHOTOS BY SHELLEY TE HAARA
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I have to admit, I kept forgetting it was a Sunday. We’ve had a lot of shows at the start or mid week but haven’t had a Sunday one for a while. A couple of queues were forming outside Spark Arena as people started making their way in. It was a small crowd tonight but they were dressed up and ready to go like it was a Friday night which gave me hope for the show. The bar was slammed inside as people grabbed some food and drinks before getting their place in the crowd.
SOFI TUKKER took the stage first. I knew of them but truly didn’t know what to expect. I was told from a friend in AUS that their set was fun and I have to say, that was playing it down. Sofi came out in a beautiful pink dress which had a Latin flare to it while Tukker came out in one of their tour shirts and ripped jeans. I have to say, I wish that tour shirt was part of their merch. I’d love a ‘I LOVE BREAD’ shirt.
Sofi alternated between dancing to guitar, while doing vocals. Tukker moved between guitar, dj deck and electric drums. Then joining them were two incredible dancers. I loved the dancers as they felt more like friends having fun or part of the band then just a slotted performance choice.
There was some fun super colourful visuals that accompanied the set, displayed on the LED platform behind them. The crowd was going wild, with Sofi even acknowledging there seems to be more Brazilian fans in Auckland than they had in Brisbane.
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The crowd was having the best time and the energy was electric. As I returned to the floor in anticipation for J Balvin’s set, the crowd was singing along to the playlist so loudly. It felt like a mix of a club and a flat party. Just fun times with friends and those around you. I thought, I am glad it is this crowd because I feel if it was a bigger crowd, the vibe would be a bit different. These were the right people who knew the vibe.
An intro played out on the LED screens. Fans began screaming as they read the story but also just got ready for what was to come. Then J Balvin appeared at the top of the platform. This production was epic. I feel with shows like that, artists can minimise the production, move venues etc but to get big production like that with an intimate crowd felt like we were a part of it all with him.
Dancers joined him onstage from some songs and the choreography was so good! It didn’t feel like nay generic moves, it was so fascinating to watch and flowed with the show do well. And that brings me to THE OUTFITS! You can see them in the photos below but both the dancers outfits changed and so did J Balvin’s. I need that sparkly combo so bad. But it really felt like it suited his performance and personality. The positive energy and smiles that man had made the show feel so joyous.
As I looked through the crowd there were people sow dancing or salsa dancing. Groups were having big dance parties together and this was all the 3way to the front. People gave each other space to move. I felt like I could have walked to the front of that floor.
Jose spoke only spoke occasionally in English but it felt like it didn’t matter because honestly I felt like I could get an idea of what he was saying but also I felt like this show was for those Latin fans in the crowd who truly were living their best lives. This felt like their space but we were welcome and it was so great.
The setlist was a great selection of new and older tracks. For the final encore everyone took centre stag including Sofi Tukker! The last show on this leg of the tour clearly called for a celebration. Including dancers in alien costumes and inflatable alien hands. But the love J Balvin had for everyone really showed. He was sure to push Sofi Tukker and his DJs/hype men to the front and let them have that spot, while being all smiles and dancing too.
Truly one of the best shows I’ve seen in a while. Grateful he came to New Zealand and we got to see that.
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