Last night felt less like a standard gig and more like a grandiose theatrical event, with both Jack Gray and Freya Skye constructing a flawlessly paced start and finish to a spectacular Sunday night.
Playing a stripped-back solo set, Jack Gray captivated the room from his very first note. His composed stage demeanour translated into a performance that ticked every single box for a great opening set, warming up the crowd perfectly for what was to follow.
Going into the headline slot, it was easy to wonder what to expect. At just 16 years old, Freya Skye arrives with a background in music and acting, but her performance last night proved she is already operating at an elite level. From the moment the lights dimmed, the sheer scale of the production was stunning. The intricate set design featured delicate lights hanging from the ceiling that glittered like a low-hanging galaxy, while a central set of stairs – embedded with glowing stars – cast a brilliant light across the stage, elevating her entire set. Mainly drawing from her recent Stardust EP alongside older fan-favourites from 2024, the musical performance matched the visuals perfectly.
As her vocals echoed from the wings, Skye appeared at the top of the stair structure, prompting the light show to kick into overdrive. Launching into ‘Can’t Fake It’, the Auckland crowd erupted, joining in with every single lyric from the opening bar.
What was most impressive, however, was the reaction to ‘Bad Taste’, an unreleased track that saw the entire room instantly belt back the words. For an unreleased song to get that kind of reception is a testament to how fiercely dedicated and locked-in her fanbase already is. The level of entertainment Skye provided throughout was spectacular, far outstripping her years.
The pacing of the night was incredibly smart. During a mid-set interlude, Skye took the time to chat and play games with the audience, showing a humble, genuinely grateful side to her personality as she reflected on touring the world. The local crowd made sure she felt the love, gifting her a stuffed kiwi toy to remember her time in New Zealand.
The undisputed pinnacle of the set came courtesy of ‘Petty’. By the time the first verse wrapped, the entire venue was on its feet, screaming the lyrics back to the stage. The accompanying light show was synchronised flawlessly with her choreography; Skye utilised every single inch of the stage layout, turning the venue into her own personal arena.
When she initially walked off, the screams for an encore were deafening. Returning to the stage for a glittering finale of ‘Gold’s Gone’, Skye thanked the crowd, promising to return soon and emphasising that Auckland had officially become a second home. On last night’s evidence, her next visit will likely be to an even bigger room.
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