Lily Allen
2nd February 2019
Spark Arena, Auckland, New Zealand.
Review by Sarah Kidd. Photography by Matt Henry Mendonca.
It’s hard to believe that it is only Lily Allen’s fourth album, her presence in the music scene one that stretches back into the last decade. But her latest work has been turning heads, the album No Shame even achieving a Mercury Prize nomination thus signalling the triumphant return of the cheeky English lass that many came to know and love back in 2006 with the release of Alright, Still.
Warming up the intimate Auckland crowd was another young female vocalist whose star within New Zealand music is certainly on the rise. Bene, coming off the back of a heralded Laneway performance appeared under a hue of pinks and purples that clashed quirkily with her rather Billie Eilish style bright orange two-piece suit Accompanied by a four-piece band that included Daffodils drummer Isaac Keating on keyboards, Bene charmed all in attendance with her infectious pop hooks that rained down in the form of singles such as ‘Tough Guy’ and of course ‘Soaked’ which has been making its presence in the charts well and truly felt. Simple song structures and memorable choruses executed by a likeable artist with a rather listenable voice, will ensure that the name Bene is one that you will be hearing for quite a while, especially if she keeps producing tracks like the brilliant little ‘After Life’.
Arriving on stage it was clear from the outset that the focal point of last night’s show would be Allen herself. Accompanied by two fellow musicians who flanked the very sides of the stage, Allen’s only other company were some vertical led lights. No flashy visuals or dancers here thanks. While her duo of musicians added real-time highlights of piano and guitar as well as bass, Allen’s show was dominated by a pristine backing track; but don’t be fooled, this was not to hide Allen’s vocals. Instead it was the foundation upon which both she and they frolicked for the next ninety minutes.
Yes, Lily Allen’s vocals are still just as present as ever – despite her apologies to the contrary; the long “air-conditioned” flight seeing her sipping on mugs of hot tea filled with manuka honey that she had purchased at the Matakana markets she informed the audience, earlier that day. Later in the set Allen would also spray her throat and pop a lozenge or two; something that most singers do, but an act which many will discreetly hide. But that’s not Allen’s style, and frankly it’s what makes her so utterly charming. She isn’t infallible and nor does she pretend to be.
There was never any doubt that the hits were always going to be popular with the crowd, tracks such as ‘Smile’, ‘Knock Em’ Out’ and ‘Not Fair’ eliciting rowdy sing-a-longs from the crowd; however, anybody that came just to hear material from her first two albums was only doing themselves a huge disservice. There is a reason that No Shame was nominated for a Mercury Prize; Allen’s latest very autobiographical album showing a new and more mature side of Allen, but one that still hasn’t lost its bite. Relationship breakdowns, public infidelities, the birth of her two much beloved daughters and divorce have all fed into the tapestries of Allen’s latest work and frankly it’s quite beautiful; songs such as ‘Family Man’, ‘Everything to Feel Something’ and ‘Apples’ performed last night with genuine emotion, Allen often delivering some frank commentary before each one, her honesty and somewhat nervous giggle shielding her from the pain that lurks in the shadows of her peripheral vision.
Throwing in a cover of Swedish singer Lykke Li’s song ‘Deep End’ Allen’s vocals shone like a light in the darkness, the lyrics obviously resonating with the English singer. The perfect mix of casual yet cool, Allen at one point kicked off her sparkling stilettos that peeked out from under her Adidas tracksuit bottoms, and paced the floor in bare feet, never once missing a beat as she did so. Following the ever popular ‘The Fear’ where Allen joked that she had predicted just how much of an intrusive monster social media would be – well she did didn’t she? – and the amusing ‘Not Fair’ Allen bid farewell with an overexaggerated wink; both Allen and the audience knowing that an encore would be forthcoming.
And indeed, three more songs were performed, ‘Trigger Bang’ (feat. Giggs) delivering that delicious English feel that Allen brings to the stage so well the song reminiscent of rapper M.I.A, before ‘Fuck You’ closed the night; Allen’s expletive ridden ditty originally written about George W Bush now dedicated she stated to Trump who most would agree is ten times worse.
Armed with new found wisdom and a few more battle scars, make no doubt about it; Lily Allen is back.
Were you there at Spark Arena for this intimate pop gig? Or have you seen Lily Allen perform live somewhere else before? Tell us about it in the comments below!
Setlist:
- Come On Then
- Waste
- LDN
- What You Waiting For?
- My One
- Knock Em’ Out
- Lost My Mind
- Smile
- Party Line
- Deep End [Lykke Li cover]
- Pushing Up Daises
- Three
- Everything To Feel Something
- The Fear
- Higher
- Family Man
- Who’d Have Known
- Not Fair
- Apples [encore]
- Trigger Bang [encore]
- Fuck You [encore]
If you enjoyed this content, please consider donating towards the running of Ambient Light, covering expenses and allowing us to expand the coverage you love by visiting our PressPatron page.