Tate McRae – Spark Arena: November 19, 2024 (13th Floor Concert Review)

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Tate McRae delivered a high-octane, non-stop performance at Spark Arena, thrilling fans with a 1-hour and 15-minute set that was equal parts emotion, energy, and spectacle. Seamlessly blending intricate choreography, powerful vocals, and visually stunning effects, McRae left both herself and the crowd breathless in one of the final nights of her Think Later tour.

Despite doors opening at 7 PM, the lines outside were still buzzing well into 7:45, showcasing the excitement for a packed house. The audience was a vibrant mix: girl groups, pre-teens with their parents, and a few boyfriends tagging along for the ride. The atmosphere was electric, with fans dressed to reflect McRae’s iconic style, from football jerseys to cowboy boots, echoing themes from her latest album.

Even before the show began, the energy was palpable. Fans belted out intermission tracks from artists like Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter and Shawn Mendes, turning the wait into a party of its own.

Charlieonnafriday

OnaFridayCharlieonnafriday set the stage with his bass-heavy beats, catchy lyrics, rhythmic flow, and undeniable charisma. The rapper engaged the crowd instantly, urging everyone to raise their hands and jump along to his lit tracks. A highlight was his attentiveness, pausing the music early in his set to ensure the safety of a fan, which earned cheers of appreciation from the audience.

He brought his brother Jordan onstage during Same Friends, where Jordan’s verses impressed as much as Charlie’s autotuned rap, despite the track’s mature party themes resonating with a younger crowd. Songs like When It Rains, tackling themes of alcoholism with an upbeat tempo, showcased Charlie’s knack for blending emotional storytelling with catchy hooks.

The energy peaked during Drunk and Foolish, a dance floor-ready EDM banger that had the entire arena jumping when the beat dropped. His hit Please Stop Calling was the undeniable climax, with the audience singing every word, turning the arena into a massive choir.

Tate McRae

As the lights dimmed, Rihanna’s Bitch Better Have My Money blasted through the speakers, the arena exploded in anticipation. Smoke filled the square stage, following a build-up of suspense with dramatic drum beats, strobe lights, and dynamic photo-shoot-style video footage, McRae emerged like a silhouette, her brown corset dress contrasting against her backup dancers dressed in white. Opening with thunderous choreography, McRae Tate McRaeproved she was here to own the night.

The stage design highlighted McRae’s every move. Elevated platforms allowed every fan a clear view of her dynamic choreography, while strategically placed fans ensured her hair flowed dramatically throughout the night. Her drummer and guitarist were hidden to give Tate and her dancers full immersion with the audience. 

McRae’s setlist was a masterful blend of heartfelt ballads and electrifying anthems.

Tracks like Feel Like Shit showcased her ability to connect deeply with her audience, as she performed alone under a single spotlight, delivering vexed, raw vocals that resonated across the arena. The stripped-back Stay Done was another poignant moment, featuring McRae sitting on the steps of her elevated stage, her voice accompanied only by acoustic guitar, as flashlights lit up the crowd like stars.

In stark contrast, high-energy tracks like Cut My Hair brought the house down, with flashing lights and roaring guitar riffs elevating the atmosphere, it was one she showcased her rock-pop capabilities where she delivered it with great flair, hitting every thunderous beat with well timed dance moves full of flair every time.

For Rubberband, McRae utilized some creative staging, incorporating a boxing ring to amplify the song’s punchy, rhythmic energy. Ready for McRae to step through and lean back on as if she’s in the boxing ring from Christina Aguilera’s Dirrty music video.

“This one’s for the girls,” she teased with a sly grin before launching into We’re Not Alike and She’s All I Wanna Be—two pop-punk anthems filled with angst and energy, reminiscent of Olivia Rodrigo.

The visuals enhanced the energy further by incorporating strategically placed camera angles amongst the edge of the stage, behind Tate and her audience, and a hand held shot during Cut My Hair that features McRae up close and personal. The live feed often incorporated rapid cuts of different angles during her high ante songs and choreography, boosting the intensity of the performance greatly and making it cinematic.

Towards the end of the non-stop show, McRae took the time to connect with her fans, sharing heartfelt stories about her career journey and expressing gratitude for their unwavering support from the times she posted videos on YouTube. The 21 year old Canadian reflected on the themes of her latest album, describing it as an exploration of love, heartbreak, and self-discovery before diving into her hit song that drove her to stardom “you broke me first”.

 

The encore began with her latest single, 2 Hands, an energetic track that featured heavy basslines and confetti cannons, creating a euphoric spectacle. The night ended with Greedy, one of her most streamed hits, as McRae asked the crowd, “Can we do one more song?” Despite the high-energy demands of her set, she delivered flawless vocals and intricate choreography, ending the night on a triumphant note.

As confetti rained down for the second time, McRae strutted across the stage with effortless poise, waving to the crowd while her backup dancers took a final bow.

Tate McRae proved herself not just a gifted vocalist but a commanding performer who knows how to captivate an arena. From deeply emotional ballads to electrifying dance anthems, her set was a showcase of artistry, talent, and star power. She performs her final show of her Think Later tour this Thursday in TSB Bank Arena in Wellington.  

by Azrie

 

Azrie
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