We set off after lunch for the 230km drive from our home
in Papamoa
to Auckland, myself, Cathy and Chrissie, a friend from Cornwall, England
for whom I had managed to get a ticket over the Internet at the last minute.
On the way we drove through 2 torrential downpours which was a bit worrying
as it was an open air concert. We arrived in Auckland in light drizzle,
checked into our motel and got a pizza delivered. I had reckoned on an
hour to get from the motel to the stadium and park the car; it took little
over 30 mins so we were there with plenty of time to spare.
The North Harbour Stadium is a fairly new venue used for Rugby amongst
other things. The stage had been set up in the middle of the field facing
the main grandstand. The good seats were on the grass which had been covered
with interlocking pieces of plastic, those under cover in the stand were
much further from the stage. There were standing areas on grassy banks
at each side, also quite a distance from the stage. The seats were tied
together in rows to stop them moving. To get to our seats we had to go
through 3 barriers with ticket checks - it was clear that we were intended
to remain seated and those with seats further back would not be able to
rush to the front.
The sound system consisted of a large flown rig high on each side of
the stage, a floor stack on each side of the stage, and a set of 4 cabinets
half way up each side of the stage area facing across and tilted slightly
down. The band would have got the full impact of these as they were pointing
straight at them; it seemed that we were getting our sound from these also
- Cathy and I were 6 rows back, dead centre. Chrissie was another 12 rows
further back. REM's new album was being played.
Now for quite some time we have stood out as being way the oldest people
down at the front of rock concerts, but not tonight - in our section there
were people from 20 to over 60 with a couple of family groups - mum, dad
and the kids. 2 Tricolours with "Corrs" written across them were draped
across the front barrier, and held in place with duct tape - well organised
fans!
I checked out merchandise but they were only taking cash - no credit
cards - as I only had $20 and the T shirts were $45 I missed out. It started
to rain at around 7.30 so we went to the toilets which were under cover
in the stands, and went back to our seats when it stopped, with perfect
timing.
The support band came on promptly at 8.00pm, they were good musicians
but I found most of the songs boring. They played for half an hour to lukewarm
applause. U2's latest album came on and the stage exploded into action;
support band equipment was cleared, the Corrs' equipment moved into position
and checked, around 10 follow spot operators climbed the rigging and took
their positions, and some of the dialogue between stage crew could be heard
over the PA. It was as efficient as any rock stage preparation I have witnessed.
Promptly at 9.00, U2 were silenced - smoke, lights, Lough Erin Shore,
and the Corrs took the stage in the usual Jim stage left behind his EMU
systems keyboard, Andrea centre and Sharon stage right. There was also
a Yamaha keyboard behind Sharon which Jim played on some songs, and Caroline
played on Runaway. Anto and Keith were on either side of the drums.
Straight into OWIS - the sound was loud, but not overly so, a bit botton
heavy with some of Andrea's vocals getting lost. Chrissie said that from
her position the drums were too loud and drowning out the vocals at times.
After 3 songs Andrea welcomed us, telling us that she felt at home in NZ
- it was raining when they arrived. She invited us to get up and dance,
have a great time and also that marriage proposals were not only welcomed
but encouraged, especially for Jim! After that there was a subtle change
in the sound mix with the vocals becoming clearer. Dreams - about 6 songs
into the set - brought a somewhat sedate audience to life - people started
moving into the aisles - security tried to turn them back but after Joy
of Life got them dancing gave up - about 200 people remained standing.
Everyone in the centre seats remained seated which meant we got a fantastic
view. The oldies were rocking in their seats, thoroughly enjoying it.
Andrea looked good, moving all over the stage, hair a bit of a mess,
in good voice. Sharon was stunning - graceful with great stage presence,
and superb b. vox. There were 2 large screens either side of the stage,
showing close-ups, but we couldn't really see them. INLYA was great - the
verses light and airy, the chorus rocked. At one point Jim seemed to throw
in the acoustic guitar motif from Madonna's Tell Me. Caroline, who had
been largely hidden behind her kit, played the Yamaha for Runaway, then
sat to Andrea's left for the next 3 songs. Anto played lovely acoustic
guitar during ATLITW. The run of 4 quieter acoustic songs was a highlight
of a well structured set, Andrea singing particularly well. Anto then delivered
the first of 2 blistering solos in QOH, the second in HTTW after Sharon
had played beautiful air, with only keyboard for accompaniment. The arrangement
for Radio sounded cluttered during the verses, but the chorus rocked. I
think the arrangement on Unplugged works better. NMC was great - again
that contrast between lighter verses and powerful chorus. Finally a hard
rocking Breathless brought most of the audience to their feet, so much
more power than the studio version. Anto played slide guitar for the solo.
Everyone remained standing for the encores- WYBH was introduced as
the new single. Someone at the front gave Andrea an Afro wig - she wore
it for So Young - making Sharon laugh so much she missed some of her vocal.
The band were clearly enjoying themselves on stage. TTF finished the show
- it really rocked with just a bit of distortion creeping in at the last
minute (eat your heart out Wolfstone). Andrea thanked us for being a fantastic
audience, they left the stage after an excellent, enjoyable if slightly
short show (approx 105 minutes including encores - I am used to big name
acts playing 2 hours plus encores).
