Bay City Rollers
4th August 2018
Powerstation, Auckland, New Zealand.
Review & Photography by Sarah Kidd.
‘Rollermania’ rolled into Auckland on Saturday night courtesy of The Bay City Rollers headed by the one and only former teenage heart-throb Les McKeown. Any confusion as to where the band hailed from was quickly dismissed by the sea of tartan that not only adorned the mic stands on stage but the crowd themselves; a myriad of checkered scarves held aloft the heads of dozens of ladies – and a few gentlemen – in the front row making the Scottish pop band feel right at home.
While their true heyday may have been back in the mid-seventies, The Bay City Rollers music certainly has longevity; their fans devoted to both it and them for the decades to follow. And it’s easy to see why; charismatic, cheeky and with a singing voice that belies his age Les McKeown led the charge from the moment he stepped onto the stage, belting out a dazzling rendition of ‘Summer Love Sensation’ that immediately had the crowd in full voice.
Those voices only continued as the the Rollers moved straight into ‘I Only Want to be With You’ and ‘Keep On Dancing’; many of the audience members who had come dressed for the night complete with the iconic Bay City Rollers wigs doing just that. McKeown proved to be quite the comedian, often taking jabs at himself as he informed the audience that he had a doctor backstage due to his age. He also showed a more serious side as well as he dedicated both the show and the Australasian tour to a fallen Roller, founding member Alan Longmuir sadly having passed away just last month. Following a particularly heartwarming rendition of ‘Please Stay’ McKeown continued his dedications, this time to the musical heroes that each and every audience member would also hold dear in their hearts; The Bay City Rollers delivering a fantastic tribute medley that began with a rousing version of Queens ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and included the likes of T.Rex’s ‘20th Century Boy’ and David Bowies ‘Rebel Rebel’, McKeown bringing the audience back full circle to finish with the last lines of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’.
Hearing a room full of hundreds of people singing together with such joyful abandonment, classic songs that are guaranteed to stand the test of time was more than just a little heartwarming to say the least. Riding that crest of camaraderie in the room, McKeown announced that the he and the band would be taking a short break – the show being split into two sets – but not before delivering a song that threatened to have half of the ladies in the front row jump the stage; ‘Saturday Night’ seeing them go absolutely wild; McKeown taking the mic along the front row to allow each of them to chant the familiar “S.A.T.U.R.D.A.Y Night!” calling card.
Rest break over and the crowd were ready and waiting for The Bay City Rollers as they returned to stage, McKeown having made a quick outfit change. Kicking it off with ‘Remember’ and the party remained in full swing as fans linked arms and swayed as one. The second set certainly had a little something for every fan, ‘Be My Baby’ through to ‘Yesterday’s Hero’ seeing the fans continue to be glued to the stage. There is no denying that these five musicians can certainly deliver the goods; even Dan on drums who easily would have been half the age of McKeown himself.
McKeown continued with his intermittent story-telling and comedic interludes throughout the second set maybe just a little too long, stretching the gap out between the songs it made some fans a little restless, many of them just wanting the hits to keep on coming.
But alas all good things must come to an end and so too did the show, The Bay City Rollers finishing with ‘Shang-A-Lang’ that elicited whoops aplenty from the now well-lubricated crowd; their calls for an encore answered in the form of a cover of The Four Seasons ‘Bye, Bye, Baby (Baby Goodbye)’
The Bay City Rollers proving once again that they are the kings of a Saturday Night.
Were you there at the Powerstation for this brilliant glam rock gig? Or have you seen the Bay City Rollers perform live somewhere else before? Tell us about it in the comments below!
Setlist:
- Summer Love Sensation
- I Only Want To Be With You [Dusty Springfield cover]
- Keep On Dancing [The Gentrys cover]
- Love Me Like I Love You
- Rock N Roll Love Letter
- Please Stay [The Cryin Shames cover]
- Tribute Medley
- Let’s Go (A Huggin & A Kissin)
- Saturday Night
- Remember
- All Of Me Loves All Of You
- Magic / January [Pilot cover]
- Be My Baby [The Ronettes cover]
- Give A Little Love
- Rock N Roller
- Yesterday’s Hero [John Paul Young cover]
- Shang-A-Lang
- Bye Bye Baby (Baby Goodbye) [encore – The Four Seasons cover]
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Fond memories of a great concert. Had meet and greet with Les was so nice to meet him and chat. He recognized I was from UK and he autographed my first ever lp I owned ‘Rollin’ very different cover from UK and Les told me he hadn’t seen one like that for several years. Stood front of stage all night, sang in microphone and Scott (one of the band) passed me the song list that was taped to stage. Met the band after show great time.
It was an amazing night. Felt like I was 14 again. I managed to get up the front to make it even more special. Last time I was up the back at the YMCA in Auckland so far away.
Yes was a fantastic night and it felt like I was 16 again!! I went with some of my friends from school who also loved the rollers. I went 42 years ago (1976) in Wellington when I was 16 along with 5 other teenage hysterical girls in full tartan get-up from Sacred Heart College in Whanganui, I left them with my tartan scarf to take with them back to Scotland – Keep on Rockin – Bay City Rollers Forever!! Thanks for an awesome night Les. Kathryn Hylton
An amazing show in Auckland. Took me back to my teenage years. Rembered all the words and sang along all night.So glad I went and I was right up the front too.
Great review and so true My friend Joanne and I went and seen Les and legendary bay city rollers in Canberra and travelled to Auckland did meet and greet at both concerts the concert in Auckland was fantastic loved every single moment of it and I would have to say it was my favourite Les’s voice was unbelievable and it was topped off by staying at same hotel and we got to tell him what a. Great concert it was and how brilliant he is
Went to the Newcastle concert (West’s Lambton) with 9 friends (including my then 21 year old daughter and friends ranging 26- 51) in 2017 and this year they came again, we got a table of 14 but didn’t really sit all night! I loved it even more this year than last time! My friend (from school days) is now from Adelaide and came to Newcastle for the concert with me and loved it so much asked me to go to Adelaide for the last Concert in Australia this year.. so I did Husband and daughter in tow. My friend and her two daughters came too and had a ball! We are really hoping to do it again at both Newcastle and Adelaide again next year!!’ Les has so much energy and still truly entrains his fans and gets the audience all dancing and singing. Highlight of the year!
Seen them in the seventies at the globe Stockton Middlesbrough. Followed them as a girl and now as a women I love their songs x seen them at Skegness every year and Billingham last year and this year in Oct I will see them again.. And Nov Skeggy again.. Live you could say xx top fan
Seen the guys again this year at twin towns again, brilliant loved it a bit more than last year, if that is possible. The guys put it all into the gig, the voices the smiles, their playing on each own music piece. Leslie brilliant as usual, my boyfriend from the past, I even get my hubby to go with me now ,converted him. I’m looking forward to next year,had hips replaced last year, to go to concert, knees next would do, all it takes to get to the concerts. Please try for Rockhampton Leslie great place the Pilbeam will stack them in as, Ladies out West further up North want to see you guys, just a long way and Money to get down South and Farmers doing it Hard, so Rollers see you Guys next year.
Awwww . I’ve never had the funds to be able to see my favorite band from the 70s. I so wanted to be Mrs Leslie. Lol. The posters on the wall. Buying SIXTEEN magazine. Awww the memories. And time past on and he got married . Ohhh i was hurt. As allot of teenage girls were. But I was happy that he was happy. And then life happens. And ten children later and grandbabies. Time goes on . Reading some of your amazing comments brought tears and tears to my eyes. To be a part of something so fantastic and nastaulgic. I could feel the energy and excitement from your post. I’m Soo glad y’all had fun. Nowww. My youngest daughter listens to the guys all on her own. And even painted a wonderful picture of Leslie. And one daughter bought me ITS A GAME to replace the one that was so worn from use. Ladies have a beautiful day. Thanks for the trip back back in time.
Thank you for the great review and photos from Auckland concert!!
I myself travelled all the way from Sapporo Japan to Sydney Australia just to see my favorite pop star Leslie McKeown and his Bay City Rollers last month. And I really enjoyed myself to see the 3 great shows!!! If there was one or two more shows in New Zealand I would have gone to NZ!!!
Reading through the review t remember every moment I experienced and I just cannot wait till next time!!! Thank you again. Xxx
Such a wonderful, on point review! I’ve traveled from America to the UK and to this past Australian tour to see many of the shows. They never, ever disappoint, always fantastic, the music, the harmonies, the energy, and of course Mr. McKeown himself, just everything about it!! You leave there feeling young and vibrant and lighthearted and carefree. I’ve never been to anything else like it. Such a warm, fuzzy, feel good feeling, it’s euphoric! You just want to go back again and again and again! Nobody does it like Les and the guys! Thanks for all the hard work!
With the very first chord, this middle aged woman, was sent hurtling back in time. To my 12 year old self at the YMCA ,Auckland in the seventies!
It was more than just wonderful. The atmosphere, the people, the music and of course The Rollers, made for more great memories. Thank you for the music guys xxxxx
Was a fantastic night loved every moment & brought all my family from Christchurch this time. My self and our youngest daughter saw the band with Les in the UK 2013 & i saw the original line up in Christchurch 1976 they played at Canterbury Court 💕🎶🎸☮
What a great review and wonderful pics. I’m from The Netherlands and I go and see Les and The Legendary in The UK and Ireland as often as I can, every gig is wonderful and maked me feel 17 again. Glad you all enjoyed them so much in OZ too. Kind regards Heleen