Flash: Supernova disappears into a black hole

Rockstar Supernova got the spartan crowd going at the newly opened Vector Arena. Photo / Chris Melville

The $80 million Vector Arena finally opened on Saturday night - a mere seven months behind schedule - with the Rockstar Supernova show.

Spectators marvelled at the intricately carved pillars and waka-shaped light fixtures. The slippery granite floor saw more than one person go for a skate.

Even with half of the 12,200-capacity arena curtained off, the venue looked sparse because of poor ticket sales. Those who did turn out were a combination of new and old fans - some avid followers of the Rockstar reality TV series, others there to see former Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee and Guns'n'Roses guitarist Gilby Clarke.

It seems Auckland will have to wait until next month's sold-out Chili Peppers gigs to see how the arena stacks up when faced with a capacity crowd.