Concert Review: Rich Brian Live In Auckland
After selling out his first ever Auckland show last year, Rich Brian returned to the Powerstation on Friday night to farewell his The Sailor tour. With doors opening at 8pm and me arriving immaculately on time, the line outside the venue was absolutely crazy. Packed with eager fans, the line stretched for what seemed like miles. Rich Brian addressed how insane the line was in the middle of his show, thanking everyone for their support because obviously, we were all there for him and it just shows how impactful he is as an artist.
With the venue split into 2 sections, all ages upstairs and the over 18 downstairs, it was truly segregated heaven. Normally, I personally don’t like going to shows that allow people under 18 to attend but after seeing the reaction from the younger fans in the crowd, it definitely showed how much teenagers make up the fan base for modern rap and how integral their involvement is. However, with how big the crowd was upstairs, it made it really hard to see the performers on the stage.
I was super stoked to see the Auckland rap duo Church & AP was set to open the show. I excitedly waited for them to perform and right on time, Dera Meelan, this fire as F*CK producer and DJ started to set the stage up for them. Church & AP got the crowd bopping with their calm and cool demeanour, playing their classic bangers like “Bank”, “Roulette” and of course finishing it off with “Ready Or Not”. Church Leon shouted out the all ages section, commenting on how he was in their position only last year. It was interesting to note how young Church & AP are alongside Rich Brian only being 19 years old, proving that age has no limits and young people are well & truly the future. Church & AP did a fantastic job, leaving the hype crowd hungry for more.
Rich Brian’s official tour DJ, Don Krez was up next and on time, I might add. Quite honestly, he was probably one of the best DJ’s I’ve seen open up for a main act. He knew the right songs to play to get the crowd even more excited. He interacted with the crowd and wasn’t just staying behind the DJ booth his whole set; he grabbed the mic and turnt up with the rest of the crowd. Don Krez is also Joji’s DJ, who is a part of the same label and creative movement as Rich Brian, 88rising. He played Joji’s “Slow Dancing in the Dark” and Keith Ape’s “It G Ma” (who is also a part of 88rising) and to be honest I’ve never felt so close to Joji and Keith Ape than in those moments. I have so much respect for 88rising and what they’ve created so it was amazing to feel like I was a part of it, even if it was briefly.
Rich Brian was introduced to the stage with some crazy visuals playing in the background. He also performed right on schedule and I honestly got an organised hard on because a concert with no delays is a friggin dream. Rich Brian’s crowd was one of the most diverse crowds I’ve ever seen at a rap concert and it gives props to how he is one of the many artists now that is a part of redefining the rap genre. I think it shows the genre’s global reach, its ever-growing significance in popular culture as at this point in time rap has never been more popular, diverse and open. Rich Brian was a great performer, doing quirky dance moves with a medley of visuals playing in the background including different anime, Kung Fu Panda, Shrek, The Office… pretty much every single symbol of his (as well as my) generation, which, in turn, resonated with majority of the crowd. It was truly a pleasure to see Rich Brian in the flesh, performing his art and just doing what he loves.
Reviewed By: Breanna Tugaga-Rogers
@bretugs