Concert Review: Sheryl Crow & Melissa Etheridge, Auckland NZ, 2018

Sheryl Crow & Melissa Etheridge

9th April 2018
Trusts Arena, Auckland, New Zealand.

Review by Sarah Kidd. Photography by Mike Thornton.

With a staggering eleven Grammy Awards between them – not to mention an Academy Award as well, there was never a doubt that tonight’s double header at the Trusts Arena wasn’t going to be night of harmonious brilliance.

Taking to the stage first with a full six piece band and a pair of black and silver striped pants that she must surely have been sewn into, Sheryl Crow shone with the radiance of a diamond from the moment she stepped up to the microphone. Commencing her set with one of her most recognisable tracks ‘Every Day Is A Winding Road’ (the original 1996 recorded version featuring backing vocals from our very own Neil Finn) Crow immediately stamped her name on the room, her voice sounding just as good (if not better!) than it always has.

“Auckland, New Zealand – what the heck! It’s been such a long time!” Crow beamed a smile at the audience as her gorgeous Missouri accent melted like butter in our ears. Promising to play both the old and some new, Crow and her accompanying band wasted no time in kicking straight into ‘A Change Will Do You Good’ the wonderfully rhythmical nature of the song seeing the fully seated audience nod both their heads and tap their toes simultaneously while a few braver fans attempted to dance in the isle before the rather overly dutiful security guards moved them firmly back in front of their chairs. Taking to the mic once again Crow – who certainly does not look her fifty-six years – enquired of the audience, “Is there anyone here as old as me?” Laughing as several hands shot up into the air, she continued on to point out that while the wonderful stage lights washed out any lines on her face, they were indeed there, but she liked them; to her they represented all of the trauma she had gone through and come out the other side of, the fairer sex present in the arena tonight cheering widely at her self-empowering sentiments.

Certainly Crow almost did appear ageless on stage, both her vocals and energy levels having lost nothing over the last twenty years; a fact that was even more impressive when she was joined on stage briefly by her youngest “guitar techs”, her sons Wyatt and Levi. Speaking of how as a family they spent the previous day on Waiheke Island, Crow went on to compliment New Zealand by stating that she brought her children with her to “show them what life should be like” our love for the environment something that she greatly admires. Of course like any currently touring American musician, Trump was mentioned, but only briefly as she humorously collapsed on the floor stating it was due to the relief of not having to hear about him every day when she travels to our side of the world.

Indeed New Zealand and its inhabitants hold a treasured place in her heart, Crow having first toured with Crowded House when beginning her career, her nod to this fact not only in her conversations with the audience but in the form of the title line from ‘Don’t Dream It’s Over’ being lovingly placed into the ending of ‘Can’t Cry Anymore’. One thing that was clearly evident throughout the night is that Crow knows how to connect with her audience, from the casual colloquy down to the personal interaction with star struck individuals, Crow and co made an arena sized show feel far more like an intimate setting, drawing the audience into their world; it was as if watching some old friends have a jam session, the relationship between Crow and her band mates one of ease. Flanked by both Audley Freed of the bands Cry of Love, The Black Crowes and Trigger Happy and the wonderful Peter Stroud, Crows bandmaster and long-time friend, the musicality of her songs was taken to another level. From her stunning cover of the Cat Stevens classic ‘The First Cut is the Deepest’ to the funky bass undertones of ‘Halfway There’ from her latest album Be Myself Crow captivated the audience and brought a luminosity to the room. This light that radiated from within only intensified as she moved into the finale of her set, timeless tracks such as ‘If It Makes You Happy’ and ‘Soak Up the Sun’ seeing handfuls of fans abandon their seats and join her in song.

“Auckland, I love you. You are lovely and beautiful” Crow once again told the audience before going on to thank Melissa Etheridge for inviting her on tour; an anticipated duet was of course delivered, Etheridge joining Crow on stage for a cover of The Allman Brothers track ‘Midnight Rider’ their voices harmonizing extremely well; the perfect balance between light and dark.

Sadly Sheryl Crow’s fans were not given the chance to call for an encore as both the house lights and music came up the second the last band member had left the stage.

Following a brief intermission, the arena darkened, as a quiver of excitement rippled across the room in anticipation of the one and only Melissa Etheridge. Last here in 2016 for three shows in Taupo, Whitianga and Queenstown, many Auckland fans were beside themselves at the opportunity to see her headline in their own hometown.

As the lights burned red we were greeted with the sight of Etheridge behind the drum kit, opening her own set with a drum solo that was as impressive as it was tenacious. As drummer Brian Delaney quietly slipped up behind her, Etheridge moved seamlessly aside, strapping on a guitar as she moved to the front of the stage; the audience promptly erupting at this very rock n roll entrance that perfectly encapsulated the tour title of ‘Make Rock Great Again’. Her silver Gretsch guitar sparkling in the spotlight, and dressed in simple but stylish black jeans and leather jacket, Etheridge immediately snatched the breath away of all in attendance as she let forth that damn fine husky voice of hers on opener ‘Your Little Secret’.

While Crow undoubtedly had the room dancing in a feel good vibes way, Etheridge had the room stomping, the taste of wild abandon licking at the edges. Beginning her career thirty years ago, Etheridge has become stalwart of rock, resolute in both her musical style and personal convictions when it comes to topics such as gay and lesbian rights as well as the use of medicinal marijuana – Etheridge being a survivor of breast cancer. And it is this inner strength that pours forth on stage tonight, taking the lead the spotlight stays firmly on Etheridge, her band remaining cloaked in muted blues and purples behind her, complimenting her magnificently.

“Hello Auckland, how you doin?” Etheridge’s wonderfully deep and raspy voice sending delicious shivers down the spines of her fans. Indicating that she was going to play a set of songs that we all have tucked away in our memory banks, Etheridge moved straight into one of her earliest hits ‘No Souvenirs’ before knocking the crowd for a six as she punched out ‘I Want to Come Over’ and ‘Come to My Window’, her confessions of how she spent many years chasing people that she couldn’t have to the point that she almost became a stalker resonating with anyone who has ever felt the burn of forbidden desires.

While Etheridge’s voice was just ever so slightly shaky at the beginning of her set, she soon found her stride, belting out the lyrics with a rawness that cut to the bone and made you give yourself over fully to this rock goddess standing before you. Undeniably this is exactly what she is, moving seamlessly between both acoustic and electric (the audience being treated to no less than five different guitars, Etheridge’s roadies working just as hard as the band behind the scenes) her solo’s so tantalising that it was impossible to tear your eyes away from her. Moving across the stage during the wickedly Wah pedal infused ‘Chrome Plated Heart’ from her self-titled debut album, those in the front sections were given the chance to witness her guitar work on a more intimate level as she belted out impressive solos on each corner, eyes closed and head back, at one with the magic she herself was conjuring. Combined with her often blatantly honest and confessional style lyrics and Etheridge is without doubt the total package, her long blonde hair and swagger making you wish you were even a tenth as cool as she is. Tracks such as ‘I’m the Only One’ seeing many in the audience secretly smile as they sing the words to the one the song has been assigned to in their own hearts while Etheridge breaks out the harmonica for a blues soaked solo.

Far too soon Etheridge was bidding us farewell, promising the audience that she will return ”every two years” from now on as she loves our country so much. With a reminder to “be who you wanna see” and a request to “spread the peace and choose only love” Etheridge and her band finished the set with ‘Bring Me Some Water’, Etheridge playing the ‘call and return’ game with the audience who joyously sang back to her with their arms outstretched. The fans determined to hear just a little bit more soon began to chant, Etheridge returning to the stage for an encore to end all others. Playing ‘Like The Way I Do’ a track that is infused with such hunger that it makes your very soul ache, Etheridge pulled out all the stops, once again returning to the drums to play a duet with Delaney before inviting her fellow band members up to the front of the stage to play by her side; world class bassist David Santos slapping out the bass lines like there was no tomorrow. With yet another outstanding solo to end, Etheridge bowed to the audience, a standing ovation their reply. While her set may have only comprised of nine tracks, they were of such quality that one would be hard placed to complain.

Etheridge without a doubt proving that she is still a force to be reckoned with.

Sheryl Crow:

Melissa Etheridge:

Were you there at the Trusts Arena for this spectacular double header? Or have you seen Sheryl Crow or Melissa Etheridge perform live at some other time? Tell us about it in the comments below!

Sheryl Crow Setlist:

Everyday Is A Winding Road
A Change Would Do You Good
All I Wanna Do
My Favourite Mistake
Can’t Cry Anymore
The First Cut Is The Deepest [Cat Stevens cover]
Halfway There
There Goes The Neighbourhood
Strong Enough
Best Of Times
If It Makes You Happy
Soak Up The Sun
Midnight Rider [The Allman Brothers cover]

Melissa Etheridge Setlist:

Your Little Secret
No Souvenirs
Don’t Need You
I Want To Come Over
Come To My Window
Chrome Plated Heart
I’m The Only One
Bring Me Some Water
Like The Way I Do [Encore]

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