Gig Review: Jon Toogood @ The Kings Arms, Auckland – 29/04/17

Tonight was always going to be special. There are few NZ performers with a legacy like Jon Toogood. The rain certainly hasn’t put people off coming out and the Kings Arms is at full to capacity to see Jon play what is apparently his first and probably last ever solo gig at this legendary venue.

If you have ever seen Shihad perform you will already know Jon is one of the best front men in the world so there was little chance that this intimate acoustic session was going to disappoint.

He uses those skills to immediately engage and connect with the crowd tonight, launching straight into Think You’re So Free from FVEY.

What follows is an hour and half of Shihad songs mixed with covers from a diverse mix of Jon’s influences including, Bob Dylan, Th’ Dudes, David Bowie, The Verve, his “other band Pacifier” and even Ace of Spades by Motorhead. Of course, the playing and singing are excellent and even when he forgets the words to some of the songs his connection with the crowd in those moments makes the evening even more special.

As the evening progresses the performance picks up energy and it’s the banter between songs that makes this a special performance not to be missed. Like Dave Grohl, Jon comes across as a nice guy with a serious passion for music and the stories he tells give a real insight into what it has been like to be in Shihad all this time. He really should write a book.

One story about how the song Pacifier was written for his friend in Christchurch who is “one of the best guitarists in the world and is also bipolar” really shows what an excellent songwriter Jon is. The words mean so much more when you know the story behind the song.

With a new Adults record being recorded and hopefully a new Shihad album in the works we are in for plenty more from Jon. He has inspired many people in NZ to get into music and tonight he may well have inspired a few more to pick up an acoustic guitar and start their own musical journey.