Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals
2nd December 2016
Vector Arena, Auckland, New Zealand
Review by Kate Taylor. Photography by Doug Peters.
An intimate night with New Zealand’s adopted sons, Ben Harper and the original Innocent Criminals? Sign me up! Barrelling up to Vector Arena on Friday night, the mix of the folksy surf crowd, high flying young executives out for the night and the sophisticated more mature punters; were all very prompt in making their way to their seats with only a scant few hanging around outside before the main event. As strange as it may sound, even the catering on offer in the Vector food stands indicated the kind of civilised night we were in for… there certainly wasn’t a hot ham carvery, condiments and warm fresh bread rolls on offer at Slipknot!
Unfurling before us the night opened with relatively new kiwi act The Miller Yule Band, with the 25 year old multi-instrumentalist setting the tone for the evening ahead. It was a very quick and efficient equipment swap, excitement growing among the punters on the floor as they watched more and more percussion items being added to the stage set up. Then, with very little fanfare, the house lights were cut and the stage became washed with blue light as the figures of Harper and his rag-tag bunch of musicians sauntered on stage and found their way to their tools of trade. Rising into first track Oppression with a mean bongo solo to round it off, letting us know if we had any doubt, that the assembled was going to see some incredible musicians demonstrating their life learnings to us by melody that night. There was a great feeling of unpretentiousness to the gig, with Harper providing us with Diamonds on the Inside as his second track. A lovely surprise as I felt sure that was going to be an encore song. Nice move Harper, nice move.
Asides to being an incredible musician, Ben Harper is pretty well known for his stage banter and this night at Vector was no different. Harper is a warm inclusive performer, very grateful and thanking the crowd often for them coming out to see him do his thing. Although not so foul-mouthed in his lyrics, Harper is without a doubt one of the most eloquent swearers I’ve encountered. No one says Motherfucker, quite like Ben Harper does. Continuing with little chats between his Innocent Criminals and the crowd, Ben launched a call to those who are challenged in the follicle department. “Where’s my bald brethren at? Y’all got some sexy ass heads. Now I’m wearing a hat, because I choose too not because I’m bald, I’ve been wearing hats since I was 10…I’m all about that water conservation, it only takes me two minutes to shower”. Confused but still entertained by this patter, a mate on the walk back to the cars let me know that at Harper’s last Auckland gig; some very poorly behaved punters pointed out “Hey! Ben Harper’s Bald!” in exclamation when he removed his hat for the first time…give the guy a break. We can’t have corn rows forever.
Finding our Way was when the set list really kicked off, breaking down into a delicious ragga swag as the crowd massed their energy for a wonderful sing-along. Before the very romantic Colours, Harper let us know that in life, it’s always been love that’s been his big motivator and without it, he finds it hard to see clarity and direction and encourages us all to be the same. “Love is like you get kicked in the ass forward. Love is still the best thing going” Harper cooed. As Harper melted into Morning Yearning the stage lighting collapsed into just one ethereal spotlight as Harper stood stock still delivering his aural poetry with his hands behind his back, just vibing. It wasn’t all Kumbaya moments as the rock chick in me relished every second of the 15 minute extended slide guitar free-jam that was Faded, arguably NZ’s skate and surf anthem of the late 90s. It was electric with Harper recreating a swell towards the last chorus with an added bass jam and Juan Nelson on lead vox; before sliding into How Dark and then slipping off stage.
Vector’s collected was not going to let Harper go without an encore, screaming and stamping their feet until our evening’s maestro strolled back to centre stage; treating us to gospel tune Where Could I Go from his album created with The Blind Boys of Alabama. Disposing of the mic, this was perhaps the most impressive moment of Harper’s set as he, alone in full acapella glory commanded the space with just his distinctive and incredible voice, demonstrating that Harper is just a pure vessel of talent. An astute crowds-man, the night rounded out with the house lights plunging the crowd out of anonymity and into one big Harper family as we all clapped and skanked to Two Hands with Harper imploring us that not only he, but we, can change the world with our own two hands.
Were you there at Vector Arena to witness this amazing show? Or have you seen Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals somewhere else? Tell us about it in the comments below!
Setlist:
- Oppression
- Diamonds
- Attitude
- Finding Our Way
- Colours
- Shine
- Morning Yearning
- Roses
- Fight For Your Mind
- Burn One Down
- Faded
- How Dark
- Kisses
- Where Could I Go
- Two Hands
- Solo
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