thanks to Siby for the photo

The first night down under for Chris and the band, opening for Linkin Park at Auckland's Vector Arena. Apparently the place has lousy acoustics, but that didn't seem to put a dampener on the evening. Some thought Chris shouldn't have been opening for a younger band like Linkin Park, but their fans gave Chris a great welcome -- both at the show and through their overwhelmingly positive comments at the New Zealand Herald website.

If anyone has Chris's setlist in order, please contact me!

by marianaclaire

Last night we went to Chris Cornell's first show on his tour with Linkin Park. It was my first time seeing him live and I was just blown away. His voice was just incredible and he absolutely nailed it on stage. My highlights were definitely him singing Rusty Cage, Black Hole Sun, Spoonman and Temple Of The Dogs Hunger Strike. He was charismatic and just amazing on stage. At the end of his set we went outside to have a cigarette, buzzing from his performance. Meanwhile inside the stage was being prepared for Linkin Park. Since we had only really gone to see Chris we ended up leaving because we felt seeing Linkin Park would just kinda ruin the experience of Chris' show. I went home feeling totally satisfied with my night and am going to the second show tonight. Can't wait to see Chris tear it up on stage again.

thanks to Siby for the photos

by Rebecca

Chris Cornell played a great set, mixing some of his solo work with songs from Audioslave, Soundgarden and even a Temple of the Dog track. He was accompanied by a young band, who seemed to be having an absolute blast playing onstage with him. Cornell left the crowd feeling that on another night that performance could have been the headlining act.

thanks to Siby for the photo

by Bob

Chris Cornell was like a high class escort. Kept you in ecstasy for an hour and then left you begging for more!

New Zealand Herald

thanks to Siby for the photo

Volume, effects and manpower from sensitive heavy rockers

Chris Cornell was selling out stadiums when Linkin Park were still at high school. But it makes sense the two should join forces for their sell-out New Zealand gigs. Both are heavy rockers with a sensitive side, love decibels as much as soaring melodies and share a bogan love of rock that doesn't discriminate against the softies.

Backed by his new band and standing tall in skinny jeans and white tee, Cornell was the picture of experience, a man who has rocked out so many stadiums he could do it with eyes closed.

His set borrowed heavily from his old repertoire: a grand rendition of Audioslave's Like a Stone, a frantic metal version of Soundgarden's Rusty Cage and, cheekiest of all, a lumbering version of Soundgarden's Black Hole Sun. If Spoonman wasn't quite so thrilling he might not have got away with it.

- Rebecca Barry, New Zealand Herald: read the rest of the review re Linkin Park's set here

Like A Stone (extract) - thanks bangbangyourdeadx

Chris Cornell Fan Page © Clare O'Brien 2007