Concert Review - Amy Shark, Auckland New Zealand, 2017

Amy Shark

22nd September 2017
The Kings Arms, Auckland, New Zealand.

Review by Bridget Herlihy. Photography by Jordan Vickers.

Amy Shark’s ascent from relative obscurity to widespread adoration has been a rapid one. The release of 2016 single Adore catapulted the Gold Coast-based singer/songwriter to stardom, receiving critical acclaim and securing the #2 slot on the Triple J Hottest 100, while garnering over 24 million plays on Spotify to date.

With the release of her debut EP Night Thinker in April, Shark has been busy touring, headlining a number of shows across her native Australia and North America. Much to the delight of her Kiwi fans, Shark concluded her Night Thinker tour with two New Zealand shows, the second of which took place at Auckland’s beloved Kings Arms. Unsurprisingly, the venue was at capacity, with much-coveted tickets selling out well in advance of the show. Amy Shark’s reputation for putting on exceptional performances has spread far and wide, and she certainly did not disappoint. It was standing room only, the eclectic crowd of young and not so young punters crammed into tight spaces like proverbial sardines, with the more vertically challenged members of the audience (like myself) struggling to see the stage. Without a doubt this was the hottest ticket in Auckland town on a wet spring night.

With a simple black banner with her name in white text adorning the back of the stage, Amy Shark appeared to rapturous cheers and applause from the adoring crowd, and launched straight into the opening track from the EP, Drive You Mad, the live version quickly proving to be even more alluring than its recorded counterpart. Pausing before the second chorus to greet the crowd and comment how good it is to be back, Shark was beaming and clearly in her element. Before launching into a rousing rendition of Spits on Girl, she congratulated the audience for “selling the shit out of this show”, commenting that if she had known how much Auckland liked her she would have moved here long ago. After promising to come back soon, she segued into the hopeful Home, which was quickly followed by the smouldering yearning of Golden Fleece. Appearing genuinely humbled by the audience’s energy and applause, she launched into the mournful Worst Girl and by the more upbeat Blood Brothers, which got the audience moving as the heat started to rise.

Shark likes to talk between songs, explaining her state of mind and the inspiration for each of the tracks, not only to build rapport with the audience, but to also provide the audience with a brief reprieve between the dark subject matter she has become renowned for. After proclaiming that the set was going to be an emotional rollercoaster, Shark warned that the next song was very heavy, quickly reassuring the crowd that although she is now fine, she had been in a very dark place when she wrote it, before beginning warmly received, yet very sombre, Middle of the Night, proving that Shark’s own distinctive blend of dark indie-pop is nothing short of seductive and spellbinding.

Proclaiming her love for Eminem, she played an impressive melodic cover of Eminem’s Superman, before forewarning the audience that the evening’s emotional rollercoaster would be heading downwards again with unreleased track Gods. Weekends was met with a bevy of screams, promoting a mass sing-along with arms waving in the air.

Reiterating that never in her wildest dreams would she have imagined her favourite country – little ol’ New Zealand – would be playing her song in their radio stations. Saving one of the best till last, Amy ended her triumphant set with Adore, thus concluding the Night Thinker tour. Watch this space – there is no doubt that Amy Shark’s star is set to shine even brighter.

Amy Shark performs live at The Kings Arms, Auckland, New Zealand. Image By Jordan Vickers.

Were you there at The Kings Arms for this amazing sold out set? Or have you seen Amy Shark perform live somewhere else before? Tell us about it in the comments below!