The Eagles, Auckland NZ, 2019

The Eagles

26th February 2019
Spark Arena, Auckland, New Zealand.

Review by Sarah Kidd. Photography by Leah Victoria.

“Uh, uh, uh” Don Henley tutted at a sold-out Spark Arena audience last night.

“Be here now. The Present. Eyeballs. Memory”

Yes, The Eagles swept into town last night bringing with them not only a show for the ages but a strict no cell phone policy that was rigorously enforced throughout the night by venue security, a move that was applauded by many. For if ever there was an evening to truly immerse yourself in the moment, last night was it.

Following the untimely death of founding member Glenn Frey in 2016 it was questionable if The Eagles would ever tour as a band again, but last night not only saw long standing members Don Henley, Joe Walsh, Timothy B. Schmit and Steuart Smith join together with country singer Vince Gill but also welcome none other than Glenn’s son Deacon Frey to the fold.

Accompanied by three session musicians, an intermittent five-piece brass section as well as dazzling on screen visuals and stage lighting, The Eagles began with the Steve Young classic ‘Seven Bridges Road (Home Free)’, the harmonization of all six members breathtaking as they stood under single spotlights on a darkened stage. Allowing the young Frey to shine early in the set ‘Take It Easy’ proved that he certainly has his Dad’s blood flowing through his veins, both his voice and his more than proficient guitar playing making for a valuable addition to the band throughout the evening. The inclusion of Gill was also one that brought it’s own magic to the set, The Eagles – predominately known as not only one of America’s greatest but highest-selling rock bands in U.S. History – always having at its centre a little bit of a country heart; Gill bringing this to the forefront as he took the lead with tracks such as ‘Take it to the Limit’, and ‘Lyin Eyes’.

As they moved through their musical history timeline, so did Henley move between instruments, often happily taking a seat behind the drumkit his voice never faltering once. In fact, the entire show was one of the best sounding that Spark has had grace it’s walls in a very long time, the rumoured past three days of solid sound checking certainly paying off. Early hits such as ‘Tequila Sunrise’ and a downright sultry version of ‘Witchy Woman’ showed the diversity within The Eagles back catalogue, Schmit’s falsettos on ‘I Can’t tell you Why’ making the first real ballad of the evening something quite special. Although it was Frey’s version of ‘Peaceful Easy Feeling’ that finished with a picture of his father displayed on the big screen that barely left a dry eye in the house, the long-standing applause following the moment proving just how much his father is both loved and respected as well as missed.

A cover of Tom Waits ‘Ol’ 55’ made the cut, a surprising choice in some ways as Waits was always rather vocal of his displeasure of The Eagles version, the fans however embracing it fully. By this point the show was starting to change gear, Walsh’s spin on the talk box during ‘Those Shoes’ bringing the crowd to its feet, his image on screen morphed with psychedelic effects. There was also a nod to both his time with James Gang – the brass section really coming into play during ‘Funk #49’ – and his own solo work, ‘Life’s Been Good’ wonderfully raucous and rough around the edges compared to the polished professionalism of the rest of the show, Walsh immersing himself within his solo’s and strutting his stuff for all it was worth.

Hit after hit rolled over the audience, few bands in this day and age being able to promise a set of two and a half hours that was all killer and no filler. Finishing with ‘Life in the Fast Lane’ there was no doubt an encore would be given, an extended version of Hotel California that featured not only Smith’s legendary EBMM double-neck guitar (as last seen here in Auckland during Don Henley’s solo tour in 2017) but a jaw-dropping Spanish style trumpet solo introduction seemingly the icing on the cake.

But Auckland wasn’t quite ready to say goodbye and it seemed neither were The Eagles, who throughout the evening had each taken a turn to profess both their love and their gratitude for the people of New Zealand. Returning to the stage for yet a second encore which included Walsh once again letting loose on his own track ‘Rocky Mountain Way’ while wearing a Maori All Blacks cap and Henley serenading the room with ‘Desperado’ before performing a brilliant version of ‘The Boys of Summer’; The Eagles finally brought the night to a close with the rather appropriate ‘The Long Run’

Yes, if ever there was a time to truly be present in the moment, last night was it.

Were you there at Spark Arena for this stadium classic rock gig? Or have you seen The Eagles perform live somewhere else before? Tell us about it in the comments below!

Setlist:

1. Seven Bridges Road (Home Free) [Steve Young cover]
2. Take It Easy
3. One Of These Nights
4. Take It To The Limit
5. Tequila Sunrise
6. Witchy Woman
7. In The City [Joe Walsh song]
8. I Can’t Tell You Why
9. New Kid In Town
10. Peaceful Easy Living
11. Ol’ 55 [Tom Waits cover]
12. Lyin Eyes
13. Love Will Keep Us Alive
14. Don’t Let Our Love Start Slippin’ Away [Vince Gill song]
15. Those Shoes
16. Already Gone
17. Walk Away [James Gang cover]
18. Life’s Been Good [Joe Walsh song]
19. Heartache Tonight
20. Funk #49 [James Gang cover]
21. Life In The Fast Lane
22. Hotel California [encore Pt.1]
23. Rocky Mountain Way [Joe Walsh Song] [Encore Pt.2]
24. Desperado [Encore Pt.2]
25. The Boys Of Summer [Don Henley song] [Encore Pt.2]
26. The Long Run [Encore Pt.2]

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