Friday Jams Live
13th November 2022
Western Springs Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand.
Review by Sarah Fleming. Photography by Doug Peters.
Tāmaki Makaurau was on a definitive high this past weekend; with Samoa’s triumphant win over England in the league and the Black Ferns playing the game of a lifetime to win the World Cup, Friday Jams was the quintessential place to celebrate Aotearoa pride in the sun.
Not even the last-minute cancellation of TLC – a huge drawcard – could dampen the spirits, but it certainly must have caused consternation for the promoters who finally posted updated times well after the gates had opened.
While Western Springs is the perfect venue for 30,000 fans to let down their hair on a Sunday, it never ceases to cause issues when trying to herd party goers towards the right gates. Delays causing many to miss the earlier acts, who while fleeting certainly got the vibes going early.
American singer Lumidee, a vision in a hot pink pant suit with frills to kill, laid down ‘Never Leave You’ to the appreciative early comers who sang every word in unison; Friday Jams often like a nostalgic Karaoke session where only the bangers feature on the playlist.
Dru Hill celebrated their 25th anniversary in style by bringing together both members past and present, diehard fans provided the opportunity of a lifetime to witness Scola, Black, Smoke, Nokio, Jazz, Tao and of course Sisqó (who many would remember from Friday Jams back in 2019) under one roof. Founding member Woody however still declining to ever re-join the band. Despite the warmth of the day, Dru Hill rocked it out in black (one member in particular choosing a boilersuit and balaclava combo), with their well-known classics including ‘Beauty’ which saw the throngs join them in heartfelt unity.
Jay Sean, sporting a simple but classic blue and black ensemble enthralled with hits such as ‘Ride It’, remixed brilliantly by DJ Regard in 2019, and of course ‘Down’ which saw the crowd once again bounce along while shouting every word back at the artist who did his best to dish out the compliments at any given chance.
By the time the first of the big acts reached the stage, the springs was heaving, all caution thrown to the wind despite Monday looming around the corner, attendees happily forming passing friendships as they ebbed and flowed across the field with drinks in hand.
Shaggy was easily a big hitter, and while his set wasn’t flawless – a little too choppy and letting the fans do the work for him – he brought his distinctive Jamaican flavour to the day with hits such as ‘Boombastic’ intermingled with snippets of ‘Turn Down for What’ by DJ Snake that saw epic dance moves vibrate through the crowd.
Jamaican flag in hand, Shaggy spoke passionately of his culture before turning up the bass on ‘Go Down Deh’ which saw the ladies windin’ and grindin’ just as he had requested, after all, as Shaggy confessed with a sly grin, he doesn’t come to New Zealand for the food or the weed, he comes here for the women. ‘Hey Sexy Lady’ doubled down on the heat he had already created, Shaggy masterfully bringing the crowd back into a mass singalong as he threw down undoubtedly his biggest hit ‘It Wasn’t Me,’ to close out.
Despite the updated schedule, it soon became obvious that the artists themselves were not going to play any longer than originally intended, the preprogramed tracks and choregraphed dance routines more than likely too difficult to update at such short notice.
To their credit the ZM crew along with the fantabulous YO! MAFIA on decks – making a welcome return – pulled out all the stops, ensuring that the crowd remained entertained with lyrical favourites and game show style competitions. From Nellys ‘Hot in Here’ to ‘Milkshake’ by Kelis, and even The Kid LAROI’s ‘Stay’ there was something for everyone. The fantastic visuals of old school music videos and Family Guy characters giving people something to get lost in while waiting for the next act.
Jeremih certainly had his admirers but failed to truly ignite despite his stellar turn on the keyboards. ‘Down on Me’ and ‘Don’t Tell Em’ sparked pockets of enthusiasm, and his dress sense with matching hues of blue in both his glasses and jacket certainly won him points on the style front, especially when he got down into the front row who appreciated the one-on-one attention during ‘Birthday Sex.’
It has previously been declared and it will be said again, but the icon that is Fatman Scoop never fails to deliver. As host of Friday Jams, he takes his duties seriously whether it be from side of stage, on it or behind it; Scoop leading Auckland through a stonking version of ‘Be Faithful’ while shirtless (it would NOT be Friday Jams without a shirtless Fatman Scoop!)
By this time, the sun had just about disappeared, bringing a welcome reprieve to those who had been baking in it for the last few hours, the sweet kiss of twilight, the ideal time for the queen herself, Ashanti, to take control and show everyone that the girls can always do it better.
In a jaw-dropping black and white high cut bodysuit, unzipped to her navel, Ashanti proved just why she is still out there drawing numbers. Hit after hit rained down on the audience from ‘Baby’ to ‘What’s Luv’ and the old school Ja Rule tune ‘Always on Time’.
While Ashanti indeed commanded attention, it was hard not to be distracted by her dancers who worked it as if their lives depended on it. In black pvc bodysuits, one dancer a dead ringer for Ariana Grande, they traversed the space as if it were a club; chairs, and bejewelled masks – no doubt to match Ashanti’s sparkling mic – all featuring in their impressive routine.
Proving that she is no heritage act, Ashanti belted out ‘The Way That I Love You’ acapella with such passion it clawed at the heartstrings before delivering her latest single ‘Falling for You,’ pyrotechnics a fitting finale for ‘Foolish’.
With just two acts left, everybody was ready and waiting, Fatman Scoop once again winning them all over as he shouted out the Black Ferns with a Samoan Flag draped around his neck before introducing Akon. Dressed in red, heavy gold chains adorning his throat, Akon took no prisoners with a set that kept the energy levels on high. ‘I Wanna Love You’ a track that in Akons words is one that you want to play the ladies, was quickly followed by the infectious ‘Smack That.’
Inviting his son Jahvor aka Jah out to join him, it soon became a family affair, a drawn out rendition of ‘I Got You’ which included a live band and Akon on bongo drums, enthralling the fans as the beats picked up the pace and the artists allowed themselves to let loose and have some fun on the last night of the tour.
Commandeering a security guard, Akon was soon in the middle of the mosh pit, expertly perched atop said guards’ shoulders as he dropped ‘Right Now Na Na Na’ before waving a fu’a in the air for the David Guetta tracks ‘Play Hard’ and ‘Sexy Bitch’.
Showing his true love and respect for Aotearoa, Akon spoke about how it was one of New Zealand’s own that ensured he is where he is today; ‘Moonshine’ seeing kiwi legend Savage join him on stage to screams of the familiar fa’aumu ‘CHEEEHOOO!’ The only let down being that Savage didn’t drop a few songs of his own, which would have been guaranteed to have set the whole stadium ablaze.
As fans rearranged themselves for the onslaught of Macklemore, the alluring Havana Brown took over deck duties, her mix featuring everything from Eminem’s ‘The Monster’ to ‘Titanium’ by David Guetta and Beyonce’s ‘Run the World (Girls); Brown’s theme of female strength coming through strong and polished off with the Australian artists own hit ‘We Run the Night’.
The saying saved the best for last certainly summed up Macklemore’s set. Despite his late arrival, he was greeted like long-lost whanau and in return he delivered a performance that would have converted even the most half-hearted listener into a disciple of his melodic preaching’s.
Dressed in dashing green – as was the rest of his band – Macklemore owned every second that ticked by on the clock, the lighting and media only elevating it all to the highest of highs. Kicking it off with his latest hit ‘Chant’ featuring Australian up and comer Tones and I, Macklemore captivated the fans with his powerful lyrics of rebirth; Tones and I joining him live to the delight of many. But it was his hits that they came to see, and Macklemore dished them out in spades.
After joyously throwing his green beret, water and towel into the crowd, Macklemore performed ‘Thrift Shop’ and ‘White Walls’ which exploded across Western Springs, his live band and vivacious drummer only uplifting the already spirited performance.
‘Same Love’ saw one and all come together in solidarity, Macklemore forever earning his respects for composing a song that truthfully confronts the ideas of equality, being free to love who you love and most importantly be who you are without fear of prejudice.
Jumping back into celebration mode, ‘Downtown’ saw Macklemore joined by none other than the eccentric lead singer of Foxy Shazam, Eric Nally who while initially plagued by mic issues, was soon belting out the chorus as his perfectly curated mullet fluttered majestically in the breeze behind him.
Punctuating his set with genuine banter and fan interactions, Macklemore and his crew never relented; ‘Dance Off, chased down ‘Glorious,’ while ‘Good Old Days’ saw Tones and I’s stunning vocals soar.
Sadly, all good things have to come to an end, but what an ending it was; ‘Can’t Hold Us’ shaking the very air as fans chanted the chorus line and stomped the ground, Macklemore throwing himself into the front rows before taking his leave.
Friday Jams we missed you. And damn, it’s good to have you back.
Were you there at Western Springs for this HUGE RnB and Hip Hop festival? Or have you been to Friday Jams Live on a different year? Tell us about it in the comments below!
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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