Machine Gun Kelly
28th April 2018
Logan Campbell Centre, Auckland, New Zealand.
Review by Sarah Kidd. Photography by Doug Peters.
Machine Gun Kelly is the Golden God. To his haters it may seem like a bold statement, but to his fans who have packed out Auckland’s Logan Campbell Centre tonight, many sporting the golden yellow tour t-shirts depicting his image; that’s exactly what Machine Gun Kelly is; a god.
Having headlined Bay Dreams earlier this year, it was to rapturous joy that the announcement of a headline New Zealand tour was received. And credit where it’s due, Machine Gun Kelly is determined to show his kiwi fans the love, playing all four major cities over the space of four consecutive nights; something that is almost unheard of with most big name acts that usually fly in and promptly back out of Auckland after a show. And it is this attitude, this drive, this passion, this – insert your own adjective here – that has seen him sell out shows across the world time and time again; tonight’s show being no different.
Backed by his outstanding band, a collective of not only musicans but confidantes from MGK’s own home town of Cleveland, Ohio, Machine Gun Kelly took to the stage tonight and faced a sea of bodies, his somewhat natural magnetism drawing them in tightly around him. Having released his latest album – his third – entitled Bloom almost a year ago to date it was of no surprise that he wanted to showcase it, leading his set tonight with ‘The Gunner’. Dressed almost head to toe in white save for the pink highlights on his camo pants, Machine Gun Kelly started out as he meant to go on; with a whole lot of swagger. As the crowd bounced and emphatically rapped the words back to him, Machine Gun Kelly moved straight into ‘Golden God’ the crowd already at fever-pitch. Soon the deep blues of the stage lights for ‘Wild Boy’ – his only nod tonight to his debut album Lace Up – were punctuated by long, hard bursts of CO2 cannons along the front of the stage swiftly taking the fans to the next level of ecstatic hedonism as MGK cracked a bottle open with his teeth, and spat the cap off to the side.
There is no denying that Machine Gun Kelly has attitude by the bucket loads; but who could blame him? Clawing his way up through the ranks, this is a guy who in many ways has paid his fair share in dues. Much like one of his biggest influences Eminem, Machine Gun Kelly’s story truly is one of rags to riches; from his rugged childhood, to fatherhood at the tender age of eighteen, through to his narrow escape from death after getting hit by a bus on his first trip to London; it seems like MGK’s rise to the top is truly unstoppable.
Taking it down a notch, Machine Gun Kelly confesses his love for not only New Zealand but its women as his notable custom microphone stand consisting of a heavily sculpted iron rose is moved into position. Stating that as long as his fans come out on nights like these no matter where’s he at will feel like home was the perfect segue into the track of the same name. Written for the Will Smith movie Bright soundtrack it’s more melodic chorus allowed the ladies in the audience their first real opportunity to flex their vocal chords.
Machine Gun Kelly continued down the path of the deep and meaningful with ‘Habits’ a nod to his two year heroin addiction that he escaped the clutches of before the subtle keyboard notes ushered in his dedication to the late Chester Bennington of Linkin Park; his slightly monotone delivery of the track overshadowed by his genuine sentiment; “music is the one thing they can’t take away from us!” he cried, a declaration that any music lover would stand behind. And Machine Gun Kelly is certainly that; a self-confessed fan of everything from Anti-Flag to Nirvana to DMX and back again, his influences are like silken threads that weave themselves throughout his catalogue as is exampled by one of his latest tracks off Bloom; ‘Go for Broke’ featuring British sensation James Arthur, ushering in a slightly more country tone which saw the raising of drinks in the air as the fans swayed along.
But his disciples came to party, and Machine Gun Kelly was here to deliver; throwing in another quip about how NZ is “pretty hot – not the weather, but the girls”, he was soon joined out front by band member Slim Gudz. As the duo rapped together, lead guitarist AJ peeled out a mouth-watering solo while infamous drummer JP ‘Rook’ Cappelletty – a particular favourite with the ladies – impressed all who were present with his solid skin work and show pony tricks. And here lies the secret to much of MGK’s success; his live shows. By adding the elements of a full band, he takes what could be just another standard rap act to a higher level. Stunning guitar solos add emotion, while the bass guitar and full drum kit add that heavy animalistic drive to his edgier work suck as ‘Alpha Omega’ and ‘Bad Motherfucker’.
A self-proclaimed lover of the herb, Machine Gun Kelly was soon happily toking on stage; completely shirtless his lean and heavily inked torso gleamed under the spotlight causing many of the fairer sex in the front row to collectively sigh. That sigh soon turning to a fanatical scream as Machine Gun Kelly hit them with ‘Bad Things’ – his major chart topper that sees him duet with rumoured love interest Camila Cabello – before clambering out into the middle of the audience to provide them all with a far more up close and personal experience.
Closing the night with ‘Till I Die’ from his sophomore album ‘General Admission’ the room exploded, almost every single fan rapping the words in time. An encore of ‘27’ soon followed; it’s lyrics of death at 27 meaning dying a legend luckily no longer relevant to MGK who turned twenty-eight six days ago…
His Golden God status it would seem safe for a long time yet.
Were you there at the Logan Campbell Centre for this super high energy hip-hop show? Or have you seen Machine Gun Kelly perform live some other time? Tell us about it in the comments below!
Setlist:
- The Gunner
- Golden God
- Wild Boy
- Home
- Habits
- Numb [Linkin Park cover]
- Kiss The Sky
- Half Naked And Almost Famous
- Go For Broke
- The Break Up
- Trap Paris
- Alpha Omega
- Sail
- Bad Motherfucker
- Wake + Bake
- Mind Of A Stoner
- Let You Go
- Bad Things
- Rehab
- Till I Die
- 27 [encore]
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