Sampha, Auckland NZ, 2024

Sampha

23rd February 2024
Powerstation, Auckland, New Zealand

Review by Sarah Kidd with photography by Doug Peters.

Once in a while there comes along an artist, a live experience, that truly leaves a lasting impression, and last night, in the heart of Tāmaki Makaurau, that artist was Sampha.

His debut, ‘Process’, captured people’s hearts; an album that was a porthole into the soul of a man, mourning the loss of a parent – a pivotal moment in anyone’s life – while simultaneously navigating his own relationship with his partner and his roots. Love, loss and the continuation of one’s own self. It was no wonder the album won the Mercury prize.

It has certainly been a rather long wait between drinks, but like fine wine, good things take time, fans and critics alike celebrating the arrival of Sampha’s sophomore album ‘Lahai’ released in October of last year. An evolution and a more optimistic outlook on life inspired by becoming a father, even the title of the album holds much meaning; Lahai being Sampha’s middle name, as well as his grandfathers name, he described it as “his next musical chapter”.

Being able to experience this next chapter live so soon after the albums release was something that the sold-out crowd at Powerstation last night were obviously chomping at the bit for as they pressed up close to the stage in anticipation. While the Powerstation is a wonderful venue, whose walls live and breathe with the echoes of some of the greats who have played there, one could not help but feel a pang of jealously for those that have been able to witness this show at the Factory International in Manchester, whose 360° stage is just made for a show such as this.

But with the use of stage risers, Sampha’s dance circle of musicians was replicated, Sampha taking centre facing the audience, but towards the back of the stage, while his four magnificent musicians – Blake Cascoe, Elsas, Rosetta, and Ruthven – flanked his sides, two a piece, to look after vocals and percussion.
This presentation as they moved into their first track of the evening, a medley, cradled the audience, as they collectively held their breath and watched in awe. It was like stumbling in on a musical ritual, a summoning of sorts that one had somehow become privy to.

His musicians were sublime, as they moved through a collection of instruments surrounding them, Sampha at times a conductor of sorts, at others the pied piper of both his crew and the hundreds enraptured standing before him. Periodically, moving off his podium he would stand in the middle and move to the music, the sheer joy on his face reflected in the faces of the audience.

Moving through the set, tracks such as ‘Too Much’ saw the tempo turn upbeat as Sampha moved once again to the centre and sang to the fans, his arm outstretched towards them as he swayed his hips. This was following ‘Spirit 2.0’ where Sampha was highlighted by a single spotlight, his delivery of the lines almost hypnotic and punctuated by the melodic vocals of his fellow musicians.

In fact, the stage lighting last night was perfect, minimalistic, but in all the right ways, never overpowering, or too low, it complimented and caressed throughout the set.

Already this was the show of dreams, but as it moved towards the closing stages, it built in power and took things to the next level. ‘Can’t Get Close’ saw the room move into complete reverent silence, something not often seen in any venue despite who is playing. The band members each counting out the bars, their fingers clicking together in perfect synchronicity as Sampha’s voice became otherworldly, building on the back of the almost choral like backing vocals. Lost in his own sound, time stopped, the song came to an end and the crowd erupted. This is what live music is all about; that one moment that will live rent free inside the mind for years to come.

The stage suddenly became bathed in red for the final track ‘Blood on Me’, the looping of synths lighting up the room with a vibrancy that was infectious, its conclusion seeing Sampha thank Auckland with sincerity as each member filed slowly off stage.

An encore was demanded, people refusing to leave, wanting the night to never end. Upon returning to stage – solo – Sampha was welcomed with open arms, his delivery of ‘Happens’ on piano full of longing and heart and a sublime end to the night.

To put it plainly, this tour is unmissable.

Sampha:

Ruthven:

Were you there at Powerstation for this magnificent R&B and Soul gig? Or have you seen Sampha perform live somewhere else before? Tell us about it in the comments below!

Setlist:

_{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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