OneRepublic – Spark Arena: February 4, 2026 (13th Floor Concert Review)
By the time OneRepublic took the stage at a sold-out Spark Arena, in Auckland on February 4, 2026, the tone for the night had already been set – polished, heartfelt, and unashamedly crowd focused.
A local Wellington-based group Skram opened the show early enough that I only saw the tail end of them. However, in a strange way, they would continue to linger. During the evening, OneRepublic talked about running into this band years ago while they were performing in Wellington and remembered being impressed with them back then too. Although it was a very small moment, it represented the band’s long memory, and their genuine respect for musicians who are still finding their way
Freya Ridings
Freya Ridings supported the headlining act, and her set was both emotionally direct and powerful. Her voice—powerful, raw, and unfiltered—cut through the arena with ease. Standouts included Undefeated and Dancing in the Kitchen.
Between tracks, Ridings spoke openly about how delighted she was to be in New Zealand and how meaningful it felt to be opening for OneRepublic, often referencing Ryan Tedder as a huge inspiration. She finished her set with Castles, an upbeat and empowering finish that had the crowd fully engaged when she exited the stage.
OneRepublic
OneRepublic wasted no time once they appeared. They began with the high energy pairing of Feel Again and Good Life. The rest of the show was both greatest hits showcase and a reflection on a career that spans over 20 years.
Frontman Ryan Tedder proved as engaging a storyteller as he is a performer, weaving anecdotes throughout the night that traced the band’s long and varied career. He discussed the early years, the unexpected twists that happened, and the realities of keeping a band together for 20+ years. At times, he shifted between telling his own story and commenting on the state of the music business today. At one point, he noted that bands used to test their new material live, in front of real people, instead of relying on the instantaneous feedback loops provided by social media.
This comment flowed perfectly into the next song, a new track called Need Your Love off the band’s upcoming 7th studio album. This song was built around catchy hooks and deep driving rock strumming and felt familiar to the band’s other hits and judging by the crowds’ reaction, it was received well.
The hits followed in quick succession: Secrets, Something I Need, and I Ain’t Worried all drew massive singalongs. The band also performed a cover of Beyonce’s Halo, serving as a reminder of Tedder’s expansive songwriting résumé. One of the night’s stand out musical performances was when Zach Filkins, the band’s lead guitarist, stepped out in front to perform a beautiful instrumental solo using Spanish and flamenco guitar techniques.
In addition to the music, the band continued to find ways to connect to the sold-out arena: kicking signed All Blacks rugby balls into the crowd, playing fan-submitted video messages between songs, and openly sharing stories of personal doubt and resilience. That emotional honesty culminated in Counting Stars, which remains one of the band’s most beloved songs.
The show ended with a high energy medley; however, the connections did not end there. As fans made their way out, Tedder reappeared to join the crowd in an impromptu sing-along of Oasis’ Wonderwall, making the exit a shared goodbye.
Shuddho Huq
Click on any image to view a photo gallery by Michael Jeong:
OneRepublic:
Freya Ridings:
