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By Mark Derricutt

Artist: Living Colour

Date / Venue: Wednesday December 12th, 2018 - The Powerstation, Auckland

THE WALL BETWEEN US ALL MUST FALL

When Living Colour performed last year for the first time in New Zealand, they did so with an air of jet lag - the show was still a perfect example of a "live show" - small mistakes and technical glitches all wrapped up as part of the experience, and the band is of course, of the highest caliber; shaking it off, adapting and infusing their peculiar brand of humour and in-jokes whilst continuing the show unfazed.

So was tonight's performance as good, or better?

THE WALL BETWEEN US ALL MUST FALL

We'll get to that later, but first off I'm angry, frankly somewhat irked with an emotion I'm unfamiliar with feeling. Even though this is a concert review I need to write I need to unburden my heart…

So where do I start? We're standing here celebrating 30 years of Vivid - a politically charged debut album that still holds up today, and dare I say surpasses many modern releases. The album stands up musically and lyrically, which is where this narrative takes me somewhere I'm hesitant to pen.

"We" as a collective people of the world don't seem to have learnt anything. Sure, a large proportion of us have evolved, and a smaller proportion merely go with the flow, but there's the rest out there that simply mess it up for everyone.

We're still fighting the same political, socio-economic, racial, sexual, and familial wars - I say fight, but more often I think I mean "defend" or “standing against”. We may have different, or more groups, being targeted in this modern age but the battles we face are familiar, and it's tiring.

THE WALL BETWEEN US ALL MUST FALL

Shortly before the show started I read a post from a friend. Their kids had just been profiled, type cast and harassed at a school camp, and as Funny Vibe plays those lyrics wash over me, hammering into my mind…

No, I'm not gonna rob you
No, I'm not gonna beat you
No, I'm not gonna rape you
So why you want to give me that
Funny Vibe!

How long till we stop persecuting people for their faith, their skin, for just being themselves? I think Vivid is a more important album now more than ever.

THE WALL BETWEEN US ALL MUST FALL

So back to my question - holy mother of funk - tonight's performance was so much more than last year's phenomenal outing - there's so much power and drive between Vernon Reid (Guitar) and Doug Wimbish (Bass) - tied together by the powerhouse timekeeper that is Will Calhoun (Drums) and held together overall, connecting everything with witty banter, a restrained stage presence, excellent dress sense and vocals that are stronger than ever - Corey Glover (Vocals).

THE WALL BETWEEN US ALL MUST FALL

Open Letter To A Landlord has the house in full chorus, mixing vocals with Corey, and gave off a vibe that echoed how fun the show was, even with such heavy lyrics. As we head over to material from the latest album Shade, I feel few here are familiar with it, I suspect they're also unfamiliar with anything post-Vivid - "I forgot to request audience participation for that song… " - I guess I wasn't the only one as Corey calls out for crowd interaction, Come On, another track from Shade, garnered said crowd chants whilst feeling somewhat forced..

Who shot Ya - released as a single ahead of Shade in time for last year’s show, picked up a solid groove and we appear to have pulled the crowd back into genuine enjoyment. Shifting through classic songs Memories Can't Wait and Broken Hearts buffered with fashion burns from Reid adds to the humour of the evening.

A highlight of the evening came with Doug's bass solo, sometimes sounding like a guitar; so much so that a trick left to the guitarist - playing with your teeth, was impressively pulled off. Wall was emotional to hear considering my somewhat angry/irked mood.

THE WALL BETWEEN US ALL MUST FALL

Glamour Boys kicks in and the mood lightens giving way to some of most movement and dancing from the crowd, Love Rears its Ugly Head brings on the funk and groove as a security guard appears side of stage making signs the band has to cut the set, it's 11:30 and curfew has hit.

Skinny Hobos started the night with their own brand of high energy rock, their first outing since last year's album release saw the duo showing off a pair of new songs to great reaction.

Known Associates followed up as second supporting act, sporting some good riffs and solos the band didn't really feel like a right match, and given the midweek curfew probably shouldn't have been on the bill.

So here we are at the end of the night, 4-5 songs including Will Calhoun's drum solo have been axed and the band jump straight into Cult of Personality before bidding us farewell and promising to return.

THE WALL BETWEEN US ALL MUST FALL

THE WALL BETWEEN US ALL MUST FALL

THE WALL BETWEEN US ALL MUST FALL

THE WALL BETWEEN US ALL MUST FALL

THE WALL BETWEEN US ALL MUST FALL

THE WALL BETWEEN US ALL MUST FALL

Setlist

Middle Man

Desperate People

Funny Vibe

Open Letter To A Landlord

Ignorance Is Bliss

F.O.X

Come On

Who Shot Ya

Memories Can't Wait

Broken Hearts

This Is The Life

(Dougs solo)

Wall

Glamour Boys

Love Rears Up Its Ugly Head

curfew cut set short

Cult Of Personality