The Madden Brothers Concert

Last updated on 19 April 2017

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When I first heard ‘We are Done’, I got all excited and thought that Good Charlotte had a new song. But then I learnt that it was actually the Madden Brothers, rather than Good Charlotte, the thought that there would be an album was just too exciting. And then it was released. And my friend bought it. And we listened to it non-stop for a month in the car when we went places, as well as having it on our iPods and computers. Then we discovered that they were coming to Auckland for a one-night show and we had to get tickets. Having loved Good Charlotte since songs like ‘The Motivation Proclamation’ from their first album, and other songs like ‘Boys and Girls’ and ‘The Anthem’ from the second (and songs from all their albums really), it was awesome to hear the songs that were released by Benji and Joel Madden, without the label ‘Good Chartlotte’. The album is super good, by the way, and there isn’t a song that I don’t enjoy.

Anyway, we bought tickets and waited over a month for it to be the night, and when it finally came we jumped in the car, listening to their CD all the way (of course), and spent our Tuesday night (the 4th of November) at the Aotea Centre here in Auckland. Benny Tipene opened for them (you can check out his Facebook Page here, and his albums here), which was awesome in itself. He’s a New Zealander, and his songs are great. We didn’t actually know that he was opening until a few days before hand, but he was great live.

We had pretty good seats, really! There are three seating levels at the Aotea Centre, and the are cheaper the higher you go, and the less-central you are. Because we’re not rich, we went for seats that were sort of mid-range. We were in the second level, but right in the middle, and it turned out to be an awesome decision.

In between Benny Tipene opening and when Benji and Joel (and their incredible band) came on, they played ads from like the 70s on the screen, and some of them were so funny! How times have changed!

Sorry for the overload of images, but I couldn’t just pick one! I actually took my Canon DSLR to the concert (what.a.geek!) and while I did get some on my phone, these ones were way better. I kinda regret not taking my longer lens…but at the same time, it was a concert and while it was a seated on (no mosh pits at the Aotea Centre!), I think that would have been a step too far. Ah well. Some of them are good.

It was actually my first ‘real’ concert. I know, I know. I’m 23. That’s ridiculous. I’ve seen bands live and things but they were never like in a big concert setting, with awesome lights and a neat set etc etc. So that was awesome to be able to go to one, finally!

In case you’re interested in what they played, here’s the set list (probably in a different order to what they actually played…):

From their new album, Greetings from California:
Dear Jane
Bad
Love Pretender
California Rain
Brother
Out of my Mind
Brixton
U R
Done

From their Good Charlotte albums:
Boys and Girls
Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous
I just Wanna Live
Dance Floor Anthem
Last Night

And then they also sang a few covers too: Free Falling (Tom Petty), Amnesia (5 Seconds of Summer – they wrote this together apparently), and Hotel California (Eagles).

Anyway! That was awesome, and I totally recommend going to see them sometime, if you have the chance (and you actually like their music…duh). But yes, new album = awesome. Listen to it.