Concert Review: Friday Jams Live

Friday Jams may have been on a Sunday but that was definitely no problem for the 25,000+ crowd that was in attendance. It was a beautiful day in Auckland and everyone looked as though they had come for a summer party. As I arrived Friday Jams, Kings had already played and Che Fu was finishing up.

Though there were quite a few long lines they seemed to be moving at a decent pace. The first section getting in to the festival was filled with a range of food options including Burgerfuel, Pita Pit, My Whippy and those classic takeaway stands with hot dogs & chips. There was definitely something for everyone. I made my way in to the field to get ready for Estelle.

Estelle was all smiles as she took the stage with her 2 dancers, sisters Jullisa & Julleah Bond. Her outfit was perfect for the weather as her shimmering, disco-ball-like top reflected in the light. Estelle interacted with the crowd as much as possible and was sure to let the crowd know that even though it was a short set, she was loving it here. It definitely was a short set, with Estelle only performing 2 songs. Including hit single American Boy. She admitted in her instagram story that due to a few issues her set had to be cut short and there was no doubt that the times were off and it was running late. But she had such great energy for a short set and I’m sure the crowd enjoyed it as much as she did.

Next up was Ginuwine. The crowd was very excited about this, especially the ladies. There was no doubt he knew how to work the stage and give them what they want. Sporting a fresh, fully-white outfit and a smile. His set was a bit longer and he definitely made the most of it, walking down into the barrier to see the crowd and even singing an impromptu song to see who in the crowd wants his towel. But obviously he also had to treat the crowd to songs such as In Those jeans and Pony. Ginuewine was having a great time and the crowd was clearly feeding off his fun and positive energy.

Following Ginuwine was the trio NEXT. They replaced T-Pain who was originally on the bill to play but couldn’t make it. I didn’t really know who they were and it seems the crowd didn’t really either, with the crowd using this time as a chance to get food and drink. But they definitely still gave a decent performance and told the crowd this is 1 of their favourite places. People really enjoyed hearing their classic single Too Close live as well.

The songs playing in between sets by Yo Mafia and DJ Horizon really fit the event and kept the throwback tracks coming.

Taio Cruz was up next. Honestly if the nostalgia wasn’t starting to kick in yet than you clearly didn’t grow up on a lot of these artists. Most of these artists I heard while I was at primary and in college. Taio Cruz bought that back with Hangover. The crowd was still packing in at this point but he interacted with the people that were there. At this point in the show C02 cannons became part of the performances as did funky lighting and small fireworks. He got the crowd to scream and though they weren’t super loud, they definitely became louder during the track Dynamite.

Four dancers (Karlito Cineas, William Ylvisaker, Bj Paulin & Zavion Brown) took the stage in a mix of black and Fluor outfits before Eve came out and joined them. She was in a black and white one-piece with a Fluor pink jacket and the shoes to match. She looked stunning and I definitely wanted those shoes. Taking the stage to Who’s That Girl was the perfect intro for her set. I honestly think she performed every track you could think of from Let Me Blow Ya Mind to Tambourine. It was a high energy set. She had C02 cannons going off as well as her music videos playing on the large screens behind the stage. Eve also joined her dancers and pulled out some moves herself. DJ martin2smoove decided to challenge Eve and test the crowd by getting the guys in the crowd to scream. But Eve got the ladies to do their thing and there was no competition – the ladies took it out. Her vocals were on point and I would have to say her performance was one of the best of Friday Jams.

Naughty By Nature took the stage next. But first to the stage were Slugga and Kaygee Gist. 2 inflatable bats position on each side of the DJ set up. Slugga was waving around his own bat as he worked the stage and got the crowd ready for Vinnie Brown & Treach to take the stage. They dived right into O.P.P with Treach throwing out an O.P.P sticker to the crowd as well as a few Skyn condoms. During their set they mention the Haka and the All Blacks. Estelle and Ginuwine even came out to party with them for a bit. There’s not doubt their set had a lot of energy to it.

Salt N Pepa took the stage with 3 male dancers (Ali Boxx, Louis Charles & Ceraldo Moreau). Salt n Pepa were all smiles as they danced along with the guys and sang along to the tracks played by DJ Spinderella. I liked that though the dances were choreographed they still had fun and made the performance their own rather than keeping everything locked down. The crowd had really packed in and they were loving it. Quite a few people even saying it was the highlight of the night. There was no surprise that they ended their set with Push It and worked the stage with their classic, bold-coloured, graffiti-style jackets.

Next were the act everyone had been holding out for. The crowd had really packed in at this point. DJ Horizon played to the crowd from the front of the runway while the stage team set up the stage behind. But before you knew it DJ Horizon stopped, his gear was quickly rushed off stage and the stage went dark.

Usher’s set started with visuals of him playing out on large screens. His dancers (Jaylene Mendoza, Devin Jamieson, Clifford McGhee, Brya Woods, Janusz Libicki, Aahkilah Cornelius, Raphael Thomas, Charles Bartley, Sabina Lundgren, Antonio Hudnel & Devyck Bull) then led the way before he appeared in a cloud of smoke at the stop of the stage. Special mention to NZ’s own Lance Savali who was also up there doing his thing.

Usher was sporting what looked to be a MJ-inspired outfit. Honestly it’s hard to write about how great his set was as there was just so much to it. Usher had incredible vocals the whole night. He treated the ladies to a bit more of him by tearing his singlet off. The visuals were very well thought through and accompanied each song well. Whether it was live visuals, photos, music video mash-ups or fire, he had planned it down to each little detail. There was even fire and C02 as well. Though his set was mixed in with the crazy classic tracks from Lil Jon, which kicked off with Snap Your Fingers. This led to both Usher and Lil Jon doing the dance together.

They accompanied each other well and just seemed to be having fun, with Lil Jon even making the joke that Usher needs to go to the gym. It was amazing to hear tracks like Confessions and Burn live as well as hearing Lil Jon do Get Low and Turn Down For What. But as you can see by the setlist below, it was a big show and Auckland definitely ended their tour with a bang!

USHER & LIL JON SETLIST (as copied from the 1 on stage)

Intro Stay At Home Love In The Club Party/Lil Freak No Limit Snap Your Fingers Make Me Wanna In My Bag (dancer intro) Bad Girl Back 2 Sleep U Remind Me

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U Got It Bad Peace Sign Nice and Slow Climax Confessions Lovers & Friends

DJ Break ————————————————

My Way Good Kisser U Don’t Have To Call Get Low / Bend over / Outta Your Mind

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Caught Up DJ / Billie Jean OMG Yeah / Turn Down For What Burn Without You

– Reviewed and Photographed by Shelley Te Haara www.instagram.com/art.by.shelley www.shelleytehaara.com