The Monkees
9th June 2019
Auckland Town Hall, Auckland, New Zealand.
Review by Alexis Brook. Photography by Chontalle Musson.
Hey, Hey, It’s the Mike & Micky Show!
Fans from near and far filled Auckland’s Town Hall last night to see the talented Micky Dolenz and Mike Nesmith (Nez) perform songs from across the whole discography of Monkees albums.
Supported by a full band, including family members from both artists, the show kicked off with ‘Good Clean Fun’, and then whisked straight into ‘Last Train to Clarksville’ which started the toes tapping. ‘Sunny Girlfriend’ and a great slight Jazzy rendition of ‘Mary Mary’, showcased both Mike Nesmith’s song writing and Micky Dolenz’s vocals. ‘For Pete’s Sake’, the outro song in Season Two of the TV series and a hat tip to ‘our dearly departed, Peter Tork’ (who passed away earlier this year), had audience members reminiscing about this made-for-tv band.
With such a resonant venue and sound bouncing all around the room, the vocals and Monkee-esque harmonies were hard to hear at times, however it did not stop the audience dancing in their chairs. The brief acoustic set in the middle of the show was more suited to this venue, and really did showcase their musicianship.
The cheeky banter and improv between Micky and Nez was delightful to watch and Nes entertained the crowd with a little ditty about technical difficulties, when his iPad decided to freeze on him while about to start ‘Tapioca Tundra’.
Promoting 2016’s Good Times album full of some previously unreleased material, it was interesting to hear how several artists, such as Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo, Death Cab For Cutie, and Noel Gallagher had submitted songs for consideration. Scattered through the evening we were treated to some of those tracks. I particularly enjoyed ‘Me & Magdalena’ and look forward to checking out the rest of the album.
Winding up the second set was ‘Take a Giant Step’, ‘Auntie’s Municipal Court’ and ‘Goin’ Down’ which had more members of the audience on their feet, but it was ‘(Not Your) Steppin’ Stone’ and of course ‘Daydream Believer’ which started the room buzzing more. A smooth encore transition completed the evening with ‘Listen to the Band’, and finally, ‘I’m A Believer’ much to the fans delight.
The TV series may have been brief, but The Monkees music lives on.
Were you there at the Town Hall for this magnificent pop flashback? Or have you seen The Monkees perform live some other time? Tell us about it in the comments below!
Setlist:
- Good Clean Fun
- Last Train to Clarksville
- Sunny Girlfriend
- Mary, Mary
- You Told Me
- For Pete’s Sake
- The Door Into Summer
- You Just May Be The One
- A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You
- Birth of an Accidental Hipster
- St Matthew
- Porpoise Song (Theme from the movie ‘Head’)
- Circle Sky
- Pleasant Valley Sunday
- Papa Gene’s Blues
- Randy Scouse Git (also known as Alternate Title)
- Tapioca Tundra
- I’ll Spend My Life With You
- Me & Magdalena
- Take a Giant Step
- Auntie’s Municipal Court
- Goin’ Down
- Sweet Young Thing
- (I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone
- Rio
- Daydream Believer
- Listen To The Band [encore]
- I’m A Believer [encore]
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We were disappointed that there wasn’t more of the Monkee’s songs played, they seemed to be promoting their new albums and songs, but there is no doubt though that they are great musicians. I agree with Paul Gordon, the music was too loud for the venue and it was hard to hear the lyrics at times. We wondered if there was something not quite right with Michael as he was acting very strange at times and saying some quite random things and it was difficult to understand what he was saying at times.
The whole Monkee experience began when I was a teenager. Now a senior citizen, I raised my two daughters on, among many other artists, Monkee music. Over the years we have seen them on a few occasions, the most recent was the Mike and Micky show in Albany, NY. They were wonderful. Got our nostalgic juices flowing. But the most amazing moment of the evening was just before the show as my 40-something daughter and I were walking toward the theater and just in front of us, going into the back stage door was Micky Dolenz with his unmistakable hat on. My daughter and I just looked at each other with a look of shock and delight that I will never forget! Mike and Micky then proceeded to amaze and delight us even more!!
A minor quibble, it’s “Micky” (no “e”) and Nez! Nice review! I saw them in Toronto two years ago just days before Michael’s emergency open heart surgery. It was apparent that he wasn’t quite right. Later, after the surgery, I saw him the FNB Redux and he was much better! I’m glad you guys are getting this opportunity as Nez has said this is his last Monkees tour! Cheers!
I’m the biggest fan going to see the monkeys I know there’s only two left but that doesn’t matter but I found the mix really hard the band was often too loud and you couldn’t hear the vocals
Hard to understand how someone can review and not get the names right.
Mistakes happen, we are but human after all. For example – you spelled ‘Yahoo’ with a ‘T’ in your email address, nobody is perfect.
We thought the same thing.
A bit disappointing,the band was too loud, couldn’t hear the lyrics, same comments from the Christchurch show, good to see them though and daydream believer was great