Tate McRae’s show at Spark Arena, Auckland, was everything a pop fan dreams of—big energy, big feels, and even bigger beats. From the moment she burst onto the stage after Rihanna’s “Bitch Better Have My Money” hyped up the room, Tate had everyone hooked. The roar when she launched into “Think Later”? Deafening. And she knew it too.
But let’s not skip over the warm-up act, charlieonnafriday, who set the tone with a mix of chill vibes and hype tracks. He had the crowd jumping to “Young and Foolish” after teasing with a slower song, and his playful banter—including a hilarious exchange about his pants—kept things fun and laid-back. Toss in a sweet shoutout for a fan’s 21st birthday, and he had Spark Arena fully primed for Tate’s big entrance.
“AUCKLAND, WHAT’S UP?” she yelled, beaming as the audience roared back. “This is the second-to-last show on the tour, so promise me you wanna have fun tonight and be LOUD tonight?” Challenge accepted. From her flawless vocals to the insane choreography, Tate proved why she’s one of the most exciting pop artists out there right now.
Every part of the night felt crafted to keep us on our toes. Tracks from her debut album carried so much emotion, while newer songs teased what’s coming next. One moment she had us screaming our hearts out; the next, she had us jumping to a beat drop. And the visuals? Next level. She performed “rubberband” from a literal boxing ring setup, making it impossible to look away. Her origins as a dancer shone through in every precise move, from slick choreography to jaw-dropping moments like ending one song in perfect splits. That blend of theatricality and raw authenticity is what makes her special.
Then came one of the most relatable speeches of the night, right before she performed “We’re not alike.” Tate rallied the crowd, saying, “If you think a breakup is bad, try being friends with a girl who isn’t a girl’s girl. There’s one thing I hate more than anything in this world—it’s a fake fucking bitch.” ICONIC. Every woman in the room? Screaming. It was a moment.
But she also knows how to tug on your heartstrings. At one point, she paused to say, “Thank you to every single person who showed up tonight. I’m so grateful. It shocks me every time I travel this far and see you guys here.” She reflected on starting out as a 13-year-old uploading songs to YouTube and how surreal it felt to be standing in front of a packed arena. When she introduced “You Broke Me First,” the song that changed everything for her, the crowd turned into one massive singalong. It was goosebumps territory.
Tate also teased what’s next: her newly announced album, ‘So Close To What.‘ “I’m so f***ing excited about it,” she said, hinting that this might not be the last time we see her here. If that’s the case, fans will be counting the days.
The night ended with “Greedy,” and Tate didn’t just leave us wanting more—she left us completely obsessed. Confetti fell, the crowd roared, and it felt like we’d just witnessed something really special. If you ever get the chance to see her live, don’t hesitate. Tate McRae is the moment, and Auckland will be talking about this one for a while.
★★★★
