On Thursday 6 August 2015 there was a fantastic line up of musicians starting off in the Museum Café with Emmiline Henry and Jason Hamon, winners of the New Zealand Music Month 2015 Rotorua You Tube Challenge, followed by music by Fraser Ross, who sang some very funny items he had written himself, accompanied by Jeremy Desmond on guitar.
At the strike of 7pm everyone moved to the main lobby of the museum, with Albi and the Wolves sounding fabulous in the stunning acoustics of the Museum foyer, magically transformed and acoustically managed by Coromandel Sonic Lab, Mix Media Events and Musicworks Rotorua. Pascal Roggen on violin had us spellbound !! Albi and the Wolves bring old school folk back into the modern age with dynamic original tunes and lively, uplifting arrangements of popular songs from the past and present. Members Chris Dent, Pascal Roggen, Matt Owens and Michael Young infuse country elements, traces of soul, rock and pop to give fantastic live performances.
Talented duo Brendan and Alison Turner then took to the stage Brendan and Alison, to play a mix of Americana folk, country and blues with sweet bluegrass harmonies. They were both former members of Bond Street Bridge and The Bitter Years.
After a brief intermission, accomplished folk and country band The Bads, with special guest Mr Dave Khan, were to wrap up the night with a 45 minute set. The Bads are a polished,, dynamic four-piece band including well-respected musicians Brett Adams, Dianne Swann, Brendan Turner and David Khan. Between them they have a rich individual and combined musical history. The Bads opened WOMAD this year, Tim Finn and The Bads having toured extensively. They have also opened for a range of well-known international acts including Green Day, Oasis and Radiohead.
Instead of this being the end, though, we were treated to an incredibly synchronised unrehearsed all-out mind bender of a collaboration that brought everyone to the feet yelling for more.
And yes, I bought the Albi and the Wolves EP … sold out in a flash, and well-deserved !
All the performers have Facebook pages and websites, do seek them out and enjoy some great New Zealand musical performances !!
Miriam Ruberl. Miriam Ruberl an established Rotorua based artist with a significant art and art teaching practice is the ARTbop Rotorua correspondent. Miriam attends and reports on the spectrum of creative arts and performances in Rotorua.
If you have events or information you wish Miriam to be aware of please contact Miriam through info@artbop.co.nz
Photo Provided by Mead Norton Photography Rotorua.
