TLC
26th November 2016
Vector Arena, Auckland, New Zealand
Review by Kate Taylor. Photography by Mark Derricutt.
Vector Arena exploded on Saturday evening in a 90s RnB and hip hop lovefest; a balmy night allowed everyone to get well dressed up in their Chilli, T-Boz or Left Eye regalia; meaning denim, overalls, crop tops, baggy neon shirts and bandanas were the style of the night as cliques of friends hugged, chatted and swarmed excitedly to get into the arena.
Kicking off the action was the impeccable KINGS, coming fresh off his Tui win last week for Breakthrough Artist of the Year at the New Zealand Music Awards, on the very same stage he was standing that night; his appreciation and gratitude was obvious and infectious. Treated to his smooth hip hop heavy, summer vibes Kings seductively took us through What We’re Supposed To Do, All Night Long and Different Levels, correctly letting us know that he’s “100% skill and I’m fucking blessed”; if that wasn’t cool enough his bandmate then pulls out a big gold Saxophone and launches into a mean breakdown. Leaving us with the absolute banger We Don’t Worry About It, it was a perfect start to the night plus a great discovery for kiwi music for the warm, road trip months ahead.
In between sets as the gathered selfie-d, chatted and imbibed on the main floor, some big moments of the night was the communal sing-a-longs to the music playing on the PA including hits from Shaggy, The Notorious B.I.G, Outkast and Boyz II Men, which really cemented the vibe of the evening, we’re all here to have a good time and this was seriously aided by the total professionalism of all the event staff helping and guiding punters rather than gruffly herding them about, which created a nice atmosphere.
Taking the stage next, Montell Jordan spend some time getting acquainted with us taking us through a bit of a medley of a set, touching on his most recognised tracks like Something For the Honeyz as well as songs he’d penned for artists like Sisqo. Warm and encouraging, Montell let us know that he “came all the way here so can I share a little bit of my story tonight”; letting us know about his dark times and that now he’s seen the light. Inviting fans to pop by the merch table and meet him after his set and trade selfies for book and CD purchases, Montell then set it right the hell off with his total scorcher This Is How We Do it and leaving the crowd wanting more.
The decibel level increased to maximum as 112 entered the evening, their tight and interesting stage choreography eliciting squeals of delight as they confirmed for us that we were “the loudest crowd they’ve played too”. Smooth and debonair 112 slayed with their complex dance moves in their stylie black and gold stage uniforms without missing a breath of vocals. Opening with Dance With Me it definitely set the tone for the main event. Seeing us off with a medley of their 90s hits, it was the closer of I’ll Be Missing You, celebrating their connection to The Notorious B.I.G, P Diddy and Bad Boy; that really brought out the swaying cellphone torches across the arena, the assembled all singing from the heart to the special person that they think of when they hear that memorial track.
After a very short and efficient equipment swap; T-Boz, Chilli, their crushingly good live band and back-up dancers erupted before our retinas in a swathe of jewel encrusted denim, hip hop plaid, braids and black tees. On this, the final night of TLC’s tour and the very first time they’d visited New Zealand; you best believe we were loud and proud in our welcome of these 90s pioneering hip hop and rnb women. Letting us know that we’ve “shown [us] more love than anybody, you guys are so fun. I love it!”; Chilli and T-Boz took us through What About Your Friends, Creep, Ain’t 2 Proud 2 Beg, Diggin’ On You, Baby-Baby-Baby, No Scrubs with the crowd collectively losing their shit as each track started, prompting roving decibel checkers to roam the main floor measuring the levels. Like everyone, I wondered how beloved, late member Left Eye would be represented; and when her recognizable squeak permeated Vector from the first time, it was palpable how much everyone felt relieved and almost complete to hear a favourite member; no dodgy hologram needed, the legacy of this incredible artist burst through time from the recording, allowing us to have the full TLC experience.
Broken up with a band introduction break and also a dancer introduction breakdown, TLC separated some tracks to do something a little special. Unpretty was met with a very warm response, letting us know that when written, it was intended to be a pillar of strength for women and reminding us that any doubters or negative commentary we get in life, “it was always them it was never you”. Treating us to a newie Haters Over Here from their newly finished album, the crowd was just as pumped about that as they were Red Light Special; in which Chilli selected a Gent from the crowd to come up onstage and be performed at. Like a total kiwi legend, he played along and created a special, funny moment in the evening, this was of course in between Chilli and T-Boz often playing up to security at the foot of the stage, caressing their staunch faces and melting them just a little bit into the night.
Then it happened, the sing-a-long we’d all been waiting for. Waterfalls. It was huge, it was loud, and it was lit up by a thousand cellphones either livestreaming, snapping pics or just emitting light and the existence of its owner. Chilli and T-Boz letting us know that it was without a doubt Left Eye’s favourite song of their catalogue so it was a little bit happy-tear inducing to see her well known rap from this huge hit, playing out in text on the video screen behind the stage; of course no one had a chance of keeping up with it, but it was exactly what everyone wanted. Bidding us a farewell and celebrating the end of their tour with a mannequin challenge that Vector was only too obliging to create; TLC basically apologised for having left it so very long to come and visit us and promised…they’d be back again soon.
Were you there at Vector Arena to witness this amazing show? Or have you seen TLC somewhere else on this NZ Tour? Tell me about it in the comments below!