Don't get me wrong. I think Shane and his band are tops. Have been to at least three of his other concerts and his renditions of the rock & roll classics are really good.
Last night's format with Jarred Christmas opening up started well enough but one could see he was struggling for material and one or two of the audience members he "selected" for his banter were none too happy with some of his comments. I think he is a typical N.Z. stand-up comic who relies heavily on adult humour and he struggled to keep it clean. Even some of his mildly risque jokes didn't go down too well either.
It went on far too long, 35 minutes. After he left the stage we were advised there was to be a short interval before the main attraction. This turned out to be 20 minutes no less!
Had we (the audience) known, we could have done any number of things; gone for a drink, a smoke, ice cream, even the toilet. Instead, most remained in their seats in case they missed the opening of Shane's set. It got to the stage where a good section of the audience started up a slow handclap. The band didn't arrive on stage until 8:50pm.
There were too many so called Rock style Xmas numbers. I knew maybe two. On the upside, his two guests, Midge Marsden and the black singer ( whose name escapes me) were excellent. Midge is always great. In future, we need to shed the comedian. If a warm-up act is needed then give the spot to an upcoming singer or other such act. I didn't go to listen to a comedian. I am a music fan. I'm afraid if further shows are advertised in this format, then I or my wife, sister and friend won't be going.