10/03/2026

Christone “Kingfish” Ingram – Powerstation: March 8, 2026 (13th Floor Concert Review)

The blues were alive and well at Auckland’s Powerstation Sunday night as Christone “Kingfish” Ingram closed out a two-week run of shows Down Under with a blistering display of technique and showmanship.

At age 27, Kingfish has established himself as one of the top blues guitarists on the planet. He plays, he sings, he writes and he has learned from the best….such as veteran Chicago bluesman Buddy Guy.

And with this second session at the Powerstation (he sold out the venue a couple of years ago) Christone brings the added prestige of having contributed to the Oscar-nominated film, Sinners where he not only contributed to the film’s score and soundtrack, but makes a cameo appearance with his mentor, Buddy Guy.

The audience…not quite a sellout this time around…and the opening act…Aussie blues act Oscar Ladell…are all in the house and on stage early…this is Sunday night after all.

Sufficiently warmed up, Christone’s band begins to take the stage around 9pm as a robotic voice primes us for the main event.

There are three musicians on stage…long-time drummer Chris Black, keyboard man DeShawn Alexander and the new guy, bass player Randy Stevens who is playing his 6^th show with Kingfish after a stint with jazz man Eric Gale.

Once locked in, the big man enters, straps on his axe and proceeds to cut loose.

The result is a two-hour lesson on what the blues should sound like in 2026.

Ingram and the band mix generous helpings of jazz, funk and rock…but the blues are never far away.

Stevens gets to show his stuff on Never Gonna Lie. His bass solo giving away to and extended keyboard solo by Alexander who plays organ, electric piano and synthesizer. I admit I could do without the synth, but everything else is solid.

But it’s the next tune…the instrumental Mississippi Night…from 2023’s Live in London album…that really gets the joint jumping.

Christone leaves the stage and appears on the second floor, surrounded by fans and wailing on his guitar. He finally makes his way back by crossing through the main floor, thrilling fans who are experiencing the real thing at close range.

After an hour and a half, the set is over…but the concert isn’t. Of course he’s coming back for more, but not after a 10 minute vamp by the band, giving out star time to cool down.

The encore…Hard Times and Long Distance Woman…was a bit anticlimatic…but there could be no argument that, on this night, in this venue, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram is the “king of the blues”.

Marty Duda

Click on any image to view a photo gallery by Philip Chignell

Christone “Kingfish” Ingram: