Eagles of Death Metal, Auckland NZ, 2023

Eagles of Death Metal

5th August 2023
Powerstation, Auckland, New Zealand.

Review by Sarah Kidd. Photography by Doug Peters.

Saturday nights are made for the sweet, sweet sound of rock and roll and my god Eagles of Death Metal delivered that by the bucketload last night!

Coming off the back of their Australian shows that were receiving rave reviews, Powerstation was positively heaving with bodies, the words sold out an afront to the ears of any last-minute nellies who thought they could grab a ticket on a whim (word to the wise – never sleep on grabbing a ticket to a world class act!)

But there would have been more than a few patrons last night that would have been impressed with just how much bang they got for their buck when sibling duo Grown Downz strode out onto the stage and blew them away with one hell of an opening set.

Comprising of Ellie Burgin on drums and Joel on guitar and vox, the brother and sister duo originally from the land of dragons (Wales) but now fully bona fide kiwis ripped the stage apart with a set that won’t soon be forgotten.

Hailing from Mt Maunganui, the pair has already supported the likes of King Brothers and have an upcoming tour with Cosmic Psychos, they seamlessly combine rock n roll with punk to produce a sound that commands attention. Do yourself a favour and grab a copy of their debut album Dochdwy Road released last year and immerse your ears in unadulterated joy.

Eager bodies pressed in closer as the clock inched towards the starting time, jubilant cheers rising to the rafters as the iconic ‘Time Warp’ from the Rocky Horror Picture Show spilled forth from the speakers, announcing to one and all the arrival of the Eagles of Death Metal themselves. And what an entrance!

Strutting onto the stage with all the bravado of a band who have paid their dues and then some, frontman Jesse Hughes was hard to miss as his shiny red cape fluttered behind him, to his left bassist Jennie Vee matching him perfectly in a red ensemble that turned heads. With Leah Bluestein settling in behind the skins and Scott Shiflett on guitar, EODM wasted no time kicking the crowd straight in the collective jaw with opening track Got a Woman from their 2015 album Zipper Down.

With how miserable it has been in Auckland lately (the never-ending winter from hell where it rains more than it does anything else it seems) it was like an elixir to see an entire venue absolutely abandon themselves to music; bodies shaking and feet shuffling, the overall atmosphere was one of pure delight, the last notes of the opening track eliciting euphoric and wild applause.

Hughes – having already abandoned the cape/rainbow sweater combo to reveal his almost trademark white ensemble with bright red suspenders – grinned wildly, leaning down into the front row he returned a fist bump with an audience member and held it for those few extra moments, the gesture one of symbiotic appreciation.

Guitar change and I Only Want You triumphantly poured forth, both Vee and Shiflett moving across the stage as Hughes shook his shaggy locks and vibrated as he sang; Don’t Speak (I Came to Make a BANG!) seeing Hughes use every inch of space made available to him to his advantage as he walked out onto the risers on either side of the stage and gave those on the sides an up close and personal experience.

It has been a hot minute since Eagles of Death Metal have graced the shores of Aotearoa, seven to be exact, so it was like a sweet release to have them back and throwing down like their very lives depended on it. It is almost nigh on impossible not to enjoy a EODM show, the sheer tenacity of the band enough to pull everyone together, the entire venue humming with good vibes.

A Boots Electric cover soon paved the way for undoubtedly one of their biggest hits, Cherry Cola from the absolutely iconic album Death by Sexy, seeing the crowd join together in song as that deliciously infectious guitar riff stomped its way through the venue a sight that made the heart sing. There is no denying that Eagles of Death Metal know how to entertain their fans, their twenty plus year career ensuring that they know just how to put on a show, and yet they play with the veracity of a band hungry to be noticed.

I Want You So Hard (Boy’s Bad News) was another big banger, Hughes and Shiflett playing a sit-down version later on in the evening at Auckland’s Ding Dong Lounge – those who were lucky enough to be there no doubt swooning to be in such intimate settings with the man Hughes himself.

The set flew by – as all good sets do – a striking cover of David Bowie’s Moonage Daydream seeing everyone once again join together in song, the more ardent Bowie fans (which was basically everyone, I mean who isn’t a fan of Bowie??) throwing their heads back and howling the words in unison.

Of course, there had to be an encore, if the audience had had their way it would have been more than two songs, but two it was, a rollicking Speaking in Tongues closing out the night to deafening accolades.
If anyone had any doubts that Eagles of Death Metal are still worth seeing live after two decades of touring, they were quickly put to rest; this is a band who knows the true meaning of live music, their hearts and souls laid out bare and every last ounce of blood and sweat poured out in the name of rock n roll.

Let’s hope we don’t have to wait another seven years before we see them again. Wellington – you are in for a treat tonight!

Eagles of Death Metal:

Grown Downz:

Were you there at Powerstation for this fun rock gig? Or have you seen Eagles of Death Metal perform live somewhere else before? Tell us about it in the comments below!

Setlist:

1. Got a Woman
2. I Only Want You
3. Don’t Speak (I Came to Make a Bang!)
4. Anything Cept the Truth
5. Complexity [Boots Electric cover]
6. Silverlake (K.S.O.F.M)
7. Heart On
8. Secret Plans
9. Cherry Cola
10. Flames Go Higher
11. Now I’m A Fool
12. I Want You So Hard (Boy’s Bad News)
13. Whorehoppin (Shit, Goddamn)
14. I Love You All the Time
15. Moonage Daydream [David Bowie cover]
16. I Like to Move in The Night [encore]
17. Speaking in Tongues [encore]

_{Note: Ambient Light was provided passes to review and photograph this concert. As always, this has not influenced the review in any way and the opinions expressed are those of Ambient Light’s only. This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase a product using an affiliate link, Ambient Light will automatically receive a small commission at no cost to you.}

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