Rich Brian – Power Station, September 6, 2019: Concert Review

Rich Brian performed to a crowd of eager fans at Auckland’s Power Station last night.

The last show of The Sailor Tour commenced with the energetic hip hop group, Church & AP shortly followed by DJ Krez. DJ Krez sound was mostly a mix of the greats playing hits from the likes of J Cole, Shek Wes and Snoop Dogg. Suddenly, during the set the screen lit up with the face of fallen Rapper XXX Tenticion playing his number one single SAD! as tribute.

The pre show excitement was enhanced by the backstage crew who teased the audience by dimming the lights and cutting the music.

As the lights finally dimmed and the crowd roared for Brian, the venue rumbled with a clip introducing his latest album The Sailor. Shortly after bursting onto the stage Rich Brian began to throw down Papapapa.

I was surprised to hear DJ Krez announce that it was the now 20 year old Rich Brian’s birthday. The crowd then responded by singing Rich Brian Happy Birthday.

I briefly overheard an audience member wishing there was more ‘upbeat’ music. The show itself included a range of tunes from club mixes to love songs although The Sailor album contained more personal tracks that he performed throughout the night.

Pleasing the overhead audience member, Brian then performed Dat $tick, a clear fan favourite. With the single reaching over 100 Million streams on Spotify everyone was familiar with tune as they chanted each lyric hand and hand.

Throughout the set there was visuals framing the DJ that played an abundance of clips from his childhood, music videos and even flashes scenes from the Simpsons and Monsters Inc. Being so enticed the show felt like it ended before it started.

There was plenty of highlights throughout the night, one being the slow love song, Drive Safe. The audience was in a trance swaying their bodies from side to side humming the lyrics peacefully to the end.

The audience and I commend Rich Brian for the captivating performance, I’ve never witnessed as many smiles and respect at a ‘Rap’ show before. He even stated how this couldn’t be a better finish to the tour.

~Milan Healey Furniss
Milanhealeyfurniss.com
+64 27 265 2481
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