No matter what your feelings towards the pop star, you can’t deny Justin’s musical talents. There was no doubt about it on Saturday night as the 35,000 strong crowd at Mount Smart Stadium just couldn’t get enough.
Justin knew how to make an entrance – appearing in a clear box armed with a marker ready to Mark My Words. This was the first time I’d seen the 23 year-old live and honestly I enjoyed it! I came to see a show and a show was what I got! Justin had the crowd jumping, screaming and singing-a-long to every tune in his 100 minute set.
The night had started earlier with Australian band Shepard kicking off the shenanigans, playing their ever-popular tune Geronimo. Global DJ superstar and fellow friend of Bieber’s, Martin Garrix took the stage shortly after 7pm to a rounding applause. I had just seen Garrix at an exclusive showcase a mere 22 hours beforehand but I was excited to see him on a much larger stage as the 20-year-old is exceptionally talented and knows how to party!
Although it became obvious that Justin was under the weather after a hectic week across the ditch, he still made it a show to remember. His chewing of gum and looking too relaxed with hands in his pockets were easily made up by his incredible vocals and talented in sync dancers.
After hyping the crowd with an old favourite, Boyfriend, Bieber took the tempo down a notch, grabbing his guitar to perform beautiful acoustic versions of Cold Water and Love Yourself.
“People will say, you’re not good enough – I say, I’ll show you.” Justin announced before launching into one of my favourites, I’ll Show You. Justin bought a show full with a laser show, pyrotechnics, twenty dancers and even a elevating stage which he took to, to perform an epic drum solo.
During his latest single off his album, Children, he bought to the stage eight local kids to dance with him – what a special moment that was to witness. What Do You Mean? and Baby followed to really seal the deal as Justin jam packed twenty one of his tunes into the one night.
It wouldn’t have been a Bieber show without fireworks (literally) and a crowd pleasing tune in the form of the dance-heavy Sorry to really close off the night and end things on a high with his adoring crowd.
As his screaming fans hung on his every last word, really not wanting the night to end, he had some parting words for everyone. “No matter how old you are, you have a purpose. I’m so glad all of you came tonight – you’ve been laughing and jumping together. I hope you’ll walk away feeling a bit better and thank you for letting me live my purpose.”
“Don’t be afraid to be yourselves. I love you.” That’s it, Justin had exited the stage and the stadium lights flicked on – the Purpose Tour sure lived up to it’s name.