The Proclaimers
24th March 2023
Powerstation, Auckland, New Zealand.
Review and feature photograph by Alexis Brook.
Showcasing hits from every album they’ve released, last night The Proclaimers played a cracking show at Auckland’s Powerstation. While just about everyone knows those songs (they played them.. don’t panic!), these talented twins reminded everyone that they wrote many more fantastic tunes, which really do deserve more airtime.
Scattered around the room, the air was thick with Gaelic accents chatting away as the evening opened with West Auckland duo, The Bads. Starting with ‘Carry The Weight’ from 2005’s album “Earth From Space”, Dianne Swann and Brett Adams played a tight set with a bunch of stunning guitar work and some really gorgeous harmonies. ‘So Alive’ the title track from their 2008 album, and ‘Shelter Love’ from 2017’s “Losing Heroes” showcased entrancing rhythms and harmonies that I found myself bopping around to. A little folk, a little rock, a little blues, they are fantastic storytellers and I made a mental note to go grab an album or two from the merch stand, as I really enjoyed what I heard. Pop them on your ‘Must See’ list.
The Proclaimers, supported by their vivacious band, commenced with the title track off last year’s album “Dentures Out” and it was evident that everyone on the floor were here for a sing-a-long. ‘Over & Done With’ from 1987’s debut album “This Is The Story” was up next and from there they jumped from album to album with handpicked hits crafting a very satisfying setlist.
‘Let’s Get Married’ from 1994’s “Hit The Highway” had many couples serenading and reminiscing as they danced and swayed on the floor and the beautiful, soulful storytelling of ‘Shadows Fall’ from 2009’s “Notes & Rhythms” had everyone hanging to each word in a captivating quiet moment which really shone how Charlie’s harmonies wrapped around Craig’s voice. The middle of the evening gave us some fantastic classics such as ‘In Recognition’, ‘Cap In Hand’ and the song which helped launch their career – ‘Letter From America’.
The end of this 24-song set was pretty much a full-on party commencing with 1988’s ‘Sunshine on Leith’ to which a wave of Scottish flags were thrust in the air by the audience. ‘Then I Met You’ got everyone warmed up for those songs… yes – you know the ones which inevitably at many parties as soon as someone starts singing, the whole room joins in; ‘I’m On My Way’ and ‘I’m Gonna Be (500 miles)’. It was so good to see these tracks live and the crowd was definitely here for it.
Capping off the evening was ‘Make My Heart Fly’ and ‘The Joyful Kilmarnock Blues’, fine finishers and off the crowd went humming and light footed ready to start their weekend.
The evening was just the remedy I needed after a couple of stressful weeks. The next time they grace NZ’s shores, you really must go see them live. The Proclaimers play one more show Saturday night – see if you can squeeze in. You won’t regret it.
Were you there at Powerstation for this brilliant Scottish party? Or have you seen The Proclaimers perform live somewhere else before? Tell us about it in the comments below!
Setlist:
- Dentures Out
- Over & Done With
- There’s A Touch
- Draw Another Line
- Let’s Get Married
- What Makes You Cry
- Shadows Fall
- Role Model
- In Recognition
- The World That Was
- Cap In Hand
- Letter From America
- Life With You
- Sky Takes Soul
- Classy
- Spinning Around
- Sean
- Feast Your Eyes
- Sunshine On Leith
- Then I Met You
- I’m On My Way
- I’m Gonna Be (500 miles)
- Make My Heart Fly [encore]
- The Joyful Kilmarnock Blues [encore]
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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