Auckland plus My Chemical Romance concert [December 5 - 8]

On December 4th I traveled to Auckland. I would meet up with my friend Renee to go to the My Chemical Romance gig on December 6th. She would arrive in Auckland on December 5th.


Big Santa on Queen Street, the main shopping street.


The Sky Tower. The tallest building in the southern hemisphere.




Auckland by night.


View on the Rangitoto volcano, the youngest volcano in Auckland.
Auckland is built on 48 volcanoes.


Park view from the Sky Tower.


The Harbour Bridge and the harbour itself.


Mount Eden on the right.


Someone about to jump of the Sky Tower. Attached of course... :)

Me on the Sky Tower.


Inconvenience? Nah, not at all.

After the interview with Frank Iero we were ready for the concert. This is how it was:

Just like the rain poured down on us, My Chem poured their songs out over the over-enthusiastic crowd of mainly teens in the Vector Arena in Auckland. After having had 3 days off the band gave us a devoted and wholehearted show.

Being able to stay in the venue after the interview, gave us an edge and we were able to line up right behind night crawlers, who had been sleeping at the venue overnight, to be in the first row. We were second. The pushing never seized, but we were able to stay were we are. Some girls were less fortunate and were pulled out of the audience after they (nearly) fainted. It was indeed bloody hot in the arena, despise the so-called good air conditioning. Thanks to the security we had enough liquid to keep our throats moist, so we could join the almost 8000 present in chanting along with each song.

The first opening band Street Wise Scarlet was lame and not good at all. Their live performance needs a lot of work. Sorry guys, you were friendly backstage.

The second band Circa Survive was to say at best; weird. But in a strangely good way. The front man looked like he was on LSD and the two bearded guitarists were in their own little world. I bet they claim that the Doors is one of their biggest inspirations.

After a fairly short wait (I've been to concerts were I had to wait way longer) it was time for My Chem to enter the stage. And the crowd went mad!

Frank seemed to have a few problems with his guitar during the first two songs, and it must have been kinda weird for Matt (Cortez) to be just helping out again, instead of joining the band to entertain the audience right on stage. After the initial problems were solved, Frank was on the loose. He jumped, sprinted, crawled and made head spins, and eww Frank, spitting in your mic and then sucking it off again is gross. As always, Frank is in his own little world when performing, giving it all, but he hardly looks into the audience, so I'll be on Ray's side next time.

Ray was bloody amazing, as always. And thank you My Chem for finally turning into a rock band and giving your lead guitarist what he deserves: a solo. It was brilliant and the audience loved it. It might be me, but I even thing I spotted a bit of jealousy in Gerard as he was watching Ray getting all the attention for a change. Spot on Ray!

Mikey loosing his glasses was the best thing that ever happened. Somehow the nasty heavy glasses must have caused pressure on his nose and forced his head down, because ever since he's got his eyes operated he is up close and personal and his head is high up in the air. You can tell he is enjoying playing the bass and he only made room when his brother insisted on standing on his bright spot. Keep it coming, Mikey!

Tucker Rule, the replacement drummer, did a good job. He was not very visible, but that was actually a good thing, he didn't miss a beat.

And Gerard. Well, is still don't like his little speeches, but that might be me. They always sound a bit hypocrite to me. But he was performing a bloody good show and complements on his voice. It must have been one off the best shows I have seen him give. He theatrics were fun to watch and he often visited our side of the stage. Some memorable quotes:
"This is the best audience so far!"
"You guys are motor scooters!"
“No one on this stage is cool, and that’s exactly the way we like it."
"Ray is a little shy."
And some more. The man talks a lot. As long as that talking doesn't hurt his singing voice, I'd say, keep it coming.

They did not play Venom nor any songs from Bullets.

All and all: a great show, one of the best of the bigger shows I have seen of them so far. Two thumbs up!

Some (illegal...) pictures from the show:








And the Vector Arena where it had all happened. :)

To be continued...