Review: Six60's homecoming delivers

Six60 band members (from left) Ji Fraser, Matiu Walters, Hoani Matenga and Marlon Gerbes share a...
Six60 band members (from left) Ji Fraser, Matiu Walters, Hoani Matenga and Marlon Gerbes share a personal moment at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday night. PHOTOS: CRAIG BAXTER
What a homecoming.

They are New Zealand's most popular and most streamed band, but you get a sense of how Six60 can still provide an intimate touch when you see the band perform live.

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About 20,000 people eagerly welcomed the band "home" when Six60 returned to Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday night following a viral campaign to get them to Dunedin.

It was immediately clear the show would have a special flavour for the young men.

Concert-goers photograph themselves at the Six60 concert.
Concert-goers photograph themselves at the Six60 concert.
Singer Matiu Walters walked on to the stage, put his hand over his heart and nodded to the crowd.

On the big screen was a homage to their origins with images of their former flat at 660 Castle St that gave the band its name.

Fans responded with a roar of applause, which stopped only when the band started with Vibes, followed up with Special and Rolling Stone.

"Six60 is home, baby!" said Walters to an enthusiastic crowd.

From that moment, it was straight into the singalongs.

Bass guitarist Chris Mac finds his groove.
Bass guitarist Chris Mac finds his groove.
The majority of the audience seemed to know every lyric as the band played their repertoire: from Rivers and Rise Up to "their favourite", Up There.

They paid a tribute to the band's influences with images of Bob Marley, Freddy Mercury and other musicians popping up on screen during the performance.

Six60 members looked comfortable under the roof, as if they were just playing a few songs in their living room. Old couches and lamps also brought this vibe to the stage.

There was a nice moment when Walters invited former bass player Hoani Matenga to join the group the stage, and assured the crowd Matenga had been practising.

Six60 lead singer Matiu Walters whips the crowd into party mode.
Six60 lead singer Matiu Walters whips the crowd into party mode.
They played Dont Forget Your Roots together and the band moved to a smaller stage in the middle of the stadium for several songs.

The concert ended with an encore: Mother's Eyes, Don't Give It Up and Forever.

Six60 delivered an uplifting and polished two-hour set, leaving their dedicated fans euphoric.

The band praised the crowd and told them it was "always a pleasure" to play in Dunedin.

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