REVIEW, from the floor: Shihad, The D4, Dick Move, Mim Jensen, at Spark Arena, Auckland, March 14. – By Times journalist PJ Taylor
Thanks Shihad! Head hurts, but in the best possible way. Ears a-ringin’.
To see Shihad is a shaking of the senses – an all-encompassing blast of all-things magnificent about hard rock / metal rock – and you have done it better and for longer in flying the flag for your music and forever will be legends of New Zealand music, and Australian, too.
Shihad always gives everything in concert – their music is made to be played loud and in all-sized venues – and it was the auditorium show we got at a (general) electric Spark Arena on Friday night.
What a way to go out. After 37 years of creating rebellious, joyous and thunderous rock n’ roll you’re pulling the plug, and it was an honour to see you retire – at the penultimate show – in Tamaki Makaurau Auckland with 6500 loyal and committed fans.
And there you were, at the top of your game, with the finish line in sight.
One all-mighty concert left to play in your hometown Wellington on Saturday. And that’ll be that.
Shihad have always been power rock to the max, fast tight riffs and licks and a backline that’s all strength, precision, tone and sparkle.
And being in a big old barn, they drew lots from the national grid feeding a light show that was constantly colourful and dynamic, in tune with the relentless and energising riffs.
Pyrotechnics added fire to the mix, flames leaping vertically in front of the band between the fans, a feature that only true rock concerts can pull off, and this most certainly did. Hot.
Jon Toogood is known as one of the hardest-working musicians and is the greatest guy, gets close and engaged with his audience like no other, loves their fans, rocks hard and does it with sincerity, humour and honesty. One of this nation’s greatest frontmen, vocalists and songwriters. He’s given at the Shihad office.
Salutations to the brilliant “genius” Phil Knight on guitars, keys and innovations, and to the engine room Karl Kippenberg on riveting bass and the power station that is Tom Larkin on drums – the man hitting the skins harder than most – what a machine.
They’re all loving playing together, and has there ever been a tighter band in this country?
Shihad has built up a legion of loyal fans over four decades, and they span two-three generations.
This writer listened to their music and saw the concerts 20-25 years ago, Big Day Out performances always uplifting on the main stage late afternoon.
Haven’t seen them in about 15 years, but had to go a final time. And it was the best.
They gave everything, Jon spurring on the crowd to sing, bounce, and light their phones on Home Again.
Shihad played two tracks – sometimes more – off all of their albums, from the most recent back to the first, so there was something for all generations to savour, and a driving cover of Split Enz’s I Got You.
Jon was in great encouraging banter throughout and one thing stood out, when he said they started out playing in the Clarendon Hotel in Taranaki Street to skinheads, “and look where we are now” – not arrogantly, just happy about it.
What a ride it has been, Shihad, for you and the fans. Rocked like never before. Pioneers.
It was also so good to see The D4 again after 20 years, and they were outstanding and sharp taking us back to that roaring time of the mod-hard-rock album 6Twenty, while Dick Move shook everyone alive with their hard-out-rock-punk to get the party really rolling.
Spark Arena positively rocked, loud, Friday night, and those who were there are the better for it. History.
