Seether – Auckland Town Hall May 31, 2018

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It’s been a few years since Seether had last graced our shores and the anticipation was high for Thursday’s last date of their Poison the Parish tour, held in the stunning, neo-baroque Auckland Town Hall.

Not surprisingly, it was a massive turn out for an all -ages show, with hundreds of teenagers, parents and everyone in-between descending inwards from the freezing temperature on an otherwise beautifully still night.

Auckland’s Town Hall has always been a favourite venue of mine, not only for its beauty and mystery, but for their impeccable organisation in whatever event occurs within its walks. The efficiency of security bag and ticket check is always seamless, and the staff’s crisp uniforms just add to a sense you are venturing into something a bit more special than a typical rock concert. Of course, Town Hall is a smaller, intimate venue in comparison to its stadium counterparts such as Spark Arena, but I always get a serene feeling crossing its threshold, plus they are one of the few venues that offer a bag and coat check!

Opening for Seether was a much-loved Kiwi favourite duo, Skinny Hobos, who have been pouring blood, sweat and I’m sure some tears on the recent release of their self-titled debut album. They graciously took a break from their busy touring schedule to open for Seether and the appreciation by all was magnified throughout the night.

If you’re familiar with Skinny Hobos and the hype surrounding them, then you know they must be doing something right. For a duo, they make one hell of a noise that is equal parts heavy, catchy and mesmerising to watch live. A perfect blend of stoner and hard rock (think Kyuss, Fu Manchu) with face melting riffs and crescendos that peak and deliver an assault of pure energy.  In the handful of times I’ve had the honour of seeing them play, they continue to up the ante and are an unstoppable talent New Zealand should be proud of. With only a short six song set list, including an impressive cover of Muse’s Supermassive Black Hole, they were a perfect choice for amplifying the energy in the room, closing with their anthemic recent single release, Jacked like the Ripper.

With a half hour break down and set up from 9.00pm, Seether were ready to take the stage dead on 9.30pm to the deafening roar of applause and yells, but in a moment of hilarity that stole the show for a few minutes prior, was the rapturous appreciation for Seether’s stage crew and the outstanding guitar solo during sound check. I think we can all appreciate the enormous amount of effort and hidden talent that goes on behind the scene at any concert that so often goes un noticed.

With the flurry of excitement and low lighting casting an eerie fog over the stage, Seether erupted straight into Stoke the Fire from 2017’s Poison the Parish album and continued their hail of unprecedented heaviness and Seether frontman, Shaun Morgan’s gut-wrenching screams that sound even better live.

Their set list was varied with plenty of fan favourites from 2002’s Disclaimer album including a breath taking acoustic version of Broken and closing with the mosh appropriate Remedy from 2005’s release, Karma and Effect.

They played for a solid hour and half with little conversing in-between songs, aside from a smattering of ‘thank you’s’ from Shaun, until the end where they conveyed their appreciation for the night. It was simple, yet humbling.

Seether exceed expectations live and the amount of energy they convey onstage is engaging and a hell of a lot of fun.

With no doubt of their return in the future, Seether are a band you must see and experience live. A fantastic night with electric atmosphere.

Kerry Monaghan

Click on any image to view a photo gallery by Ivan Karczewski:

 

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