photo by kind permission of Shane Wenzlick/Fairfax Media

The second night in Auckland's new Vector Arena included Say Hello To Heaven; Chris took time to explain to the audience who the song had been written for and what it meant. Most people said the band played even better than they had the previous night.

Spoonman - Outshined - Show me How to Live - Say Hello to Heaven - No Such Thing - Be Yourself - You Know My Name - Original Fire - Black Hole Sun - Rusty Cage - What You Are

by anna

I was in the stands this time so I have a much more lucid recollection. Say Hello To Heaven he started with a little, quiet speech about why he wrote it and who for. And they played it so beautifully, really strong and powerful. Unbelievable. Rusty Cage tore the roof off the place again and so, funnily enough did Original Fire and Be Yourself - so great to hear a Revelations song!

It's such a different experience being much further away from the stage. I think the sound was better but I so missed being able to see the expressions on his face when he was singing - although sometimes (and I know this is just my imagination) but you can picture it by how he's singing. I guess that comes from watching a lot of video and looking at a waaaay too many pictures!

He seemed even livelier last night than Thursday too It was a sell-out show so I think that probably helped, and I guess he was a bit more rested. Once again I left feeling totally and utterly exhilarated - even after sitting through Linkin Park this time. Actually the difference between LP and CC was really interesting to me. Of course I am 100 per cent biased in one direction but I found it really interesting that the six members of LP have almost zero interaction between them on stage, they barely even look at each other. It seemed a little odd to me after seeing Chris and his band all over each other the whole time they were on!

In defence of LP it's a huge show, and they all have their jobs to do I guess. And they are a hugely tight live act - very polished. Maybe that's what I don't like so much. What I did like though, even though I'm not a fan, was being in a big crowd where everybody is just utterly committed to the music

photos by kind permission of Shane Wenzlick/Fairfax Media: Chris does the haka (left) and his celebrated Morecambe & Wise impression (right)

by marianaclaire

Chris was even better last night at his second show. He absolutely rocked it. He played more of his heavier sounding songs and just sounded great and really got the crowd going....I think Linkin Park are ok although i've never bought any of their albums. I only went to the show to see Chris. I just felt that Chris didn't need to open for anyone because he is rock royalty and Linkin Park aren't even in the same league as him. He seemed gracious to be there saying thank you Linkin Park for allowing us to be here which I found a little sad. Linkin Park should have been thanking Chris for being there. I met other fans at the 2nd show who felt the same way about the whole thing. Saying that they felt the line up was a little backwards. But regardless of all this I got to see Chris in the flesh singing for the first time and Ii'm just thankful for that. He was everything and more than I expected. I just hope one day he returns doing his own show.

At both of Chris' NZ shows I loved that his wife and kids were right there on the side of the stage. I read in an interview that his family tours with him and I thought that was really awesome. At the 2nd NZ show we were right by the side of the stage and saw Chris' wife and daughter Toni walk with him from backstage till he got on stage and began performing. They also stood on the side of stage during some of his performance with his daughter wearing ear muffs which was just so cute. I love that he's a family man and that his family travels with him on tour. It must make it a lot easier on such a long tour having your loved ones so close. I'm a mum myself and have a four year old son and just know that I couldn't be away from him for months and it's nice to know that Chris feels the same.

by carlyj

Chris and Linkin Park recently came to NZ for two concerts. Chris opened for Linkin Park... pfffft. He had a black sheet looking backdrop, half a stage, a t-shirt and jeans and he was the greatest performer I have ever seen. Fullfuckingstop. His band were so enthusiastic and his voice was so perfect. They did not put a foot wrong the entire time, which made it difficult for Linkin Park, who aside from Chester and the mad drummer were one of the worst acts I have ever seen.

thanks to carlyj for the photo

by jacob

I saw the Friday night show and have to agree the man was on form. I've seen Cornell three other times with the Garden And Aslave and he was good then as well, but he seems really relaxed and happy now. His wife was spectacular too, hanging in the wings and their toddler was wandering around backstage with earmuffs on. I am another punter that left before Linkin Park came on. They are an act that don't interest me at all. I could have used 'JC Pose' but 'Rusty Cage' was a good way to go out. They only played two boring songs from the new album, the James Bond one and the single. I am a long time groupie and was happy with the gig - I hope the enthusiastic reception sees the CC band back here headlining their own show.

Stuff.co.nz

photo by kind permission of Shane Wenzlick/Fairfax Media

Linkin Park & Chris Cornell Where: Vector Arena, Auckland When: Friday, October 12

Are you ready to scream?

Chris Cornell, Linkin Park's Chester Bennington and 12,000 fans certainly were, as two of the biggest voices in rock tested Vector Arena's acoustics in an unlikely double bill.

When it comes to iconic voices, they don't get much bigger than Chris Cornell. The now-solo former front man for Soundgarden and Audioslave is instantly recognisable by a generation of classic rock fans.

Cornell used that status to his advantage as he played a greatest hits set with his new band, including tracks from throughout his career.

While a sluggish version of Black Hole Sun did little to show off his voice, the ballad Be Yourself saw Cornell crooning like Al Green and had the crowd singing along in unison. "Beautifully sung" was his short compliment. You too, Chris.

Tracks from Cornell's recent solo album Carry On were less memorable, and Cochise proved his band couldn't match the sonic power of Audioslave - no matter how many scissor-kicks and jumping-on-the-spot theatrics they pulled off.

But a fiery set-closing Rusty Cage had Cornell adopting a wide-legged rock stance to belt out a spine-tingling chorus with an extended throaty roar that served as a challenge to Linkin Park.

They were up for it. Playing on a stage set up like a scrap metal junkyard, Linkin Park emerged as shadowy figures behind a white drop cloth before belting out a thrilling version of Given Up.

That included the first of what would be many of front man Chester Bennington's window-threatening screams as he yelled "put me out of my misery". Things aren't that bad, are they buddy?

The band continued to keep the energy up with a series of grunty numbers from their first two albums, including Lying From You, Numb and Papercut, as rapper Mike Shinoda added a second layer of vocals and furry guitarist Brad Delson kept the riffs flying.

During the more intense moments, Chester flew around the stage in a near frenzy, bouncing back and forwards while uttering those guttural trade mark screams. He obviously hasn't learnt how to pace himself.

With an adrenalized start like that, it seemed like Linkin Park might actually raise the arena's roof. But then came the come down.

It started with the U2-style bombast of What I've Done and No More Sorrow, tracks from the band's underwhelming recent album Minutes to Midnight. Mike then sat down at a keyboard, Chester picked up the mic and the rest of the band left the stage for an overlong series of ballads. One or two is permissible, but four? This wasn't a Rod Stewart gig.

Thankfully, a hit-packed encore helped make up for the tepid end to the set, as the band's signature hit One Step Closer started a mosh pit slam dance. In the End and an extended version of Bleed It Out - complete with drum solo - finished things off, as Chester's voice started showing signs of strain after two hours of non-stop abuse.

Fans trying to keep up with his effort - especially on a night that also included Chris Cornell - would have been seriously in need of a throat lozenge or two. Strepsils, anyone?

- Chris Schulz, Stuff.co.nz

Black Hole Sun - thanks Jimmy16L16

Chris Cornell Fan Page © Clare O'Brien 2007