Concert Review: Sir Dave Dobbyn (Auckland Winter Series)
In an unforgettable evening of Kiwi songwriting, powerhouse vocals, and genre-blending artistry, legend Sir Dave Dobbyn and guests delivered a concert that felt more like a homecoming despite being his first show at Auckland Town Hall.
Review by Sean Matheson
In an unforgettable evening of Kiwi songwriting, powerhouse vocals, and genre-blending artistry, legend Sir Dave Dobbyn and guests delivered a concert that felt more like a homecoming despite being his first show at Auckland Town Hall.
Delaney Davidson kicked off the evening, opening with a moody, gritty, and musically rich set. Opening with "Movin' On" and "Out of my Head" followed by a duet of "Beyond the Stars", with Davidson subbing in for Willie Nelson to perform with co-writer Tami Neilson. Davidson closed his set with a song I don't know the name of. Still, one of the lyrics was "Walking Down the Road/Rabbit Hole."
When Dave Dobbyn took the stage, he immediately ignited the crowd. From there, Dobbyn moved effortlessly through a thoughtfully curated set that emphasised deep 'select' cuts with a seasoning of crowd-pleasing hits for good measure. "Forgiveness" and "Don't Hold Your Breath" were standout performances delivered with raw emotion and humility. "It Dawned on Me" shimmered with quiet grace, while "Naked Flame" and "The Lap of the Gods" burned slow and powerful. Dobbyn was in full storytelling mode, peppering songs with anecdotes that made the night feel personal. "Blindman's Bend" and "Howling at the Moon" pulsed with primal energy, while "Maybe the Rain" and "Pour the Wine" brought moments of stillness and reflection.
When Dobbyn, Davidson, and Neilson came together to sing "Welcome Home", it was a communal moment. Like much of Dobbyn's songbook, it could be an alternative national anthem, with the audience singing in heartfelt unison. This show delivered the shared spirit of Kiwi music in spades. A truly unforgettable night and a celebration of Sir Dave Dobbyn's remarkable career.
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