Cat Stevens / Yusuf
12th December 2017
Spark Arena, Auckland, New Zealand.
Review by Bridget Herlihy. Photography by Doug Peters.
New Zealanders have been spoilt for choice in recent months with an abundance of diverse acts gracing our shores, and you could say that the best has been saved for last with some of the most revered names in music performing in Aotearoa before 2017 draws to a close. The first of two iconic British singer/songwriters to hit Auckland this week was the legendary, iconic Cat Stevens / Yusuf. Having first played in New Zealand in 2010, Stevens has returned to play four shows across the country, the first of which was last night’s sold out show at Spark Arena. Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the release of his first major hit single and debut album Matthew and Son.
Arriving at the arena the forecourt was overflowing with a league of eager fans both young and not-so-young wanting to take their seats as quickly as possible, not wanting to miss a single moment of what promised to be a memorable evening. The stage was beautifully adorned with a set recalling a vintage London railway station late at night, complete with an iridescent backdrop of the London skyline, with the iconic outline of Big Ben at the centre. Wooden park benches and deco-era suitcases and luggage were carefully arranged at the back of the set, with a. weathered upright piano on one side of the stage, and a collection of guitars on the other. There was even a tall street lamp to add to the impressive ambience. The imminent arrival of Cat Stevens / Yusuf was heralded with the sound of a passing train with horn blasting through the PA, as the hero of the evening emerged onstage to rapturous applause and screams of adoration. Accompanied by a bassist and guitarist who were clad in the iconic Cat Stevens striped t-shirts, he opened the show with If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out from 1972’s Harold and Maude, the stage came alive, with painstakingly designed lighting illuminating the backdrop, complete with a glowing moon and iridescent clouds. Even the large curtains draped to the sides of the stage were used to maximum effect as they were used as to project images, masterfully framing the stage and creating an intimate setting while providing a verifiable feast for the eyes. After a heart warming rendition of Oh Very Young, Cat Stevens / Yusuf gracefully welcomed the audience, and referring to his stage commented “like British rail, the trains are late”, introducing “a song that goes back to the 60s, to prove that Rod Stewart didn’t write it before playing First Cut Is The Deepest followed by a rousing cover of Curtis Mayfield’s People Get Ready, whilst an array of stirring images played on the curtain screens. Singing out was without a doubt one of the themes of the evening, as Moonshadow from 1971’s Teaser and the Firecat prompted the evening’s first hearty sing-along from the audience.
Again referring to the scene set around him, Stevens reminisced that London was “the town where it all began for me, and for those who weren’t round, this was my first single, I Love My Dog”, and as he played images of a young Cat Stevens and his beloved canine companion played. This was an evening of reminisces and storytelling, as he recalled various phases of his life and career, and the inspiration behind some of his most famous and adored songs. Telling the audience it was time to go back into his attic, the London backdrop fell to the ground, revealing the most exquisite three-dimensional scene set in, of course, an attic, complete with impression of light streaming through the rafters. This also heralded the second act if the performance, as the larger scene included a drum kit which saw the trio evolve into a four piece. The stage was once again carefully adorned with items that one would expect to find in an attic; a lifetime of memories represented by an assortment of keepsakes, such as a beloved red velvet armchair, lamps, artworks, and even a vintage teddy bear. This was an evening for Cat Stevens to forage through his metaphorical attic, and to tell the tales of some of the most poignant moments of this life through song. He traced the development of his career, from a young man who was a great fan of The Beatles, even taking time away from his guitar to play Twist and Shout on an old record player and dance before resuming his story, and playing a wonderful cover of the Fab Four’s From me To You, before perching on a stool for an electric performance of his second single Matthew and Son. It was apparent throughout the evening that Stevens was enjoying himself immensely, responding to one over zealous member of the crowd that he did indeed love us all too.
Poignantly ending the first set on the On The Road To Find Out, a brief interval divided the night’s proceedings into two part, the second of which marked Steven’s period of self-discovery. Opening with the song that became synonymous with the late 1970s, Remember The Days of the Old Schoolyard with a slight reggae twist, which had the crowd up on their feet and singing at the top of their lungs. Joined onstage by Alan Davis on acoustic guitar, who worked with Stevens for a number of years after he got out of hospital, he played a stunning version of Don’t Be Shy, with Davis harmonising beautifully with Stevens. Fan favourites Where Do The Children Play and the stirring Wild World had the crowd on their feet sing and dancing, with the most eager punters encouraging those who were still seated to get up out of their seats and join in. A stirring performance of Father And Son was nothing short of breathtaking, with few dry eyes left in the audience. The audience who had been spellbound by Stevens for the entirety of the performance were duly treated to a three song encore, ending on what is quite possibly one of the most beautiful songs every written, Morning Has Broken, which concluded the evening on the most serenely beautiful and slightly melancholy note.
Whether we are aware of it or not, Cat Stevens has provided the soundtrack to our lives, as his music can take us back to moments of our own childhood, adolescence and adulthood. What is more, the timeless quality of his music shines bright, and is second to none. Cat Stevens remains without a shadow of a doubt one of the world’s most fascinating and prolific artists, as well as being a fantastically gifted storyteller. Seeing Cat Stevens perform live should be on everyone’s proverbial bucket list.
Were you there at Spark Arena for this magnificent folk flashback? Or have you seen Cat Stevens / Yusuf perform live some other time? Tell us about it in the comments below!
Setlist:
- If you want to sing out sing out
- Oh very young
- First Cut Is The Deepest
- People Get Ready
- Moonshadow
- I love My Dog
- Here comes my baby
- Mary and the Little Lamb
- From Me To You
- Matthew and Son
- Big Boss Man
- A Bad Night
- The Wind
- On The Road To Find Out
- Remember The Days Of the Old Schoolyard
- Changes IV
- Miles From Nowhere
- Don’t Be Shy
- Where Do The Children Play
- Wild World
- Rubylove
- Sad Lisa
- The Hurt
- Blackness of the Night
- Here Comes The Sun
- See What Love Did To Me
- Father And Son
- Peacetrain
- Can’t keep It In [encore]
- Tuesday’s Dead [encore]
- Morning Has Broken [encore]
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