Renowned for its electric and stunning performances, "The Air Force on Tour" will take audiences on a wild ride of musical styles: from military classics to popular show tunes. You'll hear everything from Mozart to John Williams and even the Monarchy of Music; Queen. Soloists will include Murray Mansfield QSM on bagpipes, the thrilling Drum Line and astounding vocalist Barbara Graham.

The Royal New Zealand Air Force Band recently celebrated its 80th anniversary, and is often heard welcoming dignitaries at Government House, or providing music for commemorations at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park. It performed at the sold-out 2016 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, and most recently to a near capacity The Air Force in Concert at the Michael Fowler Centre in Wellington. Don't miss the opportunity to witness the excitement of a full-sized symphonic band in concert!

Direct from Australia, and following more than 5000 international shows, the world's premier live ABBA tribute - The ABBA Show - is coming to town!

Far from being 'just another cover band', The ABBA Show is a full-scale theatrical production featuring more than 2 hours of live musical performances with a live backing band, replica costumes, theatrical lighting and effects and all the dancing an ABBA fan can handle.

Starring incredibly detailed performances from internationally acclaimed impersonators ABBAsolutely fABBAulous, The ABBA Show gives fans of all ages a chance to re-live the ABBA concert experience, celebrate the music of ABBA and dance the night away!

Nelson City Brass presents Cry of the Celts. An evening of Celtic music with Musical Director Nigel Weeks conducting Nelson's own champion band. The evening will also feature Nayland College Boys Choir along with a piper and dancers to give a truly 'Celtic feel' to the nights entertainment

Rockshop Bandquest is a performance platform for New Zealand school bands, up to year 8.

Award-winning singer songwriter Mel Parsons is well recognised as one of New Zealand's established songwriting stars - matched by her equally generous heart.

On the very day of Cyclone Fehi Mel contacted The Boathouse with a heartwarming offer to help with fundraising for repairs, and with the support of the Theatre Royal this we have a benefit concert! Joining Mel on stage are Jed Parsons and Josh Logan.

Hot off the heels of her American tour Mel brings a wide breadth of material. Her dynamic songs range from gutsy & rhythmic hand-clappers like audience favourite 'Far Away', through to pin-drop ballads like 'Don't Wait', featuring Canadian songwriting royalty Ron Sexsmith.

With her dynamic band Parsons is an engaging performer with a natural emotive voice that allows the listener to become part of the story. Her unique style simmers somewhere between indie/folk and alt/country, and her shows are as memorable for the spine tingling songs as well as for her dry banter delivery.

Opening acts:
The Community Choir at The Boathouse - Vibrant singing group with fabulous songs from around the world - exploring harmony, rhythm, sound, breath, unity.

Django Schmango - this highly regarded Hot Club style group of local musicians has its roots are firmly in the music made famous by Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli. It's a style marked by pristine and dexterous string work, the steady pulse of rhythm guitar and an unmistakable swing that delights audiences of all musical sensibilities.

Rock the South returns to Nelson, with an all ages music gig featuring 9 of the regions hottest up and coming youth bands performing exclusively live on stage.

This years lineup includes:
Three's a Crowd (Nayland College), Blind Eye (Waimea College), Equinox (Nelson College for Girls), Ellie & Laura (Waimea College), Acoustic Knot (Waimea College), The Recliners (Nelson Boys College / Nayland College), Cosmos Vita (Nelson College for Girls), 1024 (Nelson Boys College), Shut Up Connor (Waimea College)

This event is strictly alcohol and other drug free, and suitable for 14-24 year olds. Security and Health and Safety Event Workers will be on hand to ensure a happy and healthy event for all.

Door sales ($10) may be available on the night, but with a lineup this epic, highly unlikely, so get in early to avoid the disappointment of missing out.

Smokefree Rockquest is New Zealand's only nationwide, live, original music, youth event. Founded in 1989 by music teachers Glenn Common and Pete Rainey, who now run Rockquest Promotions full-time out of Nelson, Smokefree Rockquest is a New Zealand institution.

Musical successes from Smokefree Rockquest include Kimbra, Broods, The Good Fun, Midnight Youth, Opshop, Annah Mac, Evermore, Ladyhawke, Minuit, Kids of 88, Die!Die!Die!, Pistol Youth, Bang!Bang!Eche!, Ivy Lies, Cairo Knife Fight, Cut Off Your Hands, Luke Thompson, The Datsuns, Brooke Fraser, Anika Moa, Anna Coddington, The Electric Confectionaires, Steriogram, Aaradhna, Spacifix, The Naked and Famous, Phoenix Foundation, The Feelers, The Black Seeds, Nesian Mystik, Bic Runga, The Checks, Julia Deans, Pine, King Kapisi, Kingston, The Naked and Famous, Autozamm and Elemeno P.

Smokefree Rockquest aims to motivate young musicians to prove their ability and realise the heights they can reach in their music careers, and to encourage their peers to support 100% original New Zealand music.

Smokefree Rockquest is New Zealand's only nationwide, live, original music, youth event. Founded in 1989 by music teachers Glenn Common and Pete Rainey, who now run Rockquest Promotions full-time out of Nelson, Smokefree Rockquest is a New Zealand institution.

Musical successes from Smokefree Rockquest include Kimbra, Broods, The Good Fun, Midnight Youth, Opshop, Annah Mac, Evermore, Ladyhawke, Minuit, Kids of 88, Die!Die!Die!, Pistol Youth, Bang!Bang!Eche!, Ivy Lies, Cairo Knife Fight, Cut Off Your Hands, Luke Thompson, The Datsuns, Brooke Fraser, Anika Moa, Anna Coddington, The Electric Confectionaires, Steriogram, Aaradhna, Spacifix, The Naked and Famous, Phoenix Foundation, The Feelers, The Black Seeds, Nesian Mystik, Bic Runga, The Checks, Julia Deans, Pine, King Kapisi, Kingston, The Naked and Famous, Autozamm and Elemeno P.

Smokefree Rockquest aims to motivate young musicians to prove their ability and realise the heights they can reach in their music careers, and to encourage their peers to support 100% original New Zealand music.

Taking its name from 'sassafrass' - slang for a sassy person who isn't afraid to speak her mind - Tami Neilson's album places a heavier emphasis on soul music while not abandoning her country and rockabilly roots. Neilson conjures up a wonderfully retro style that sounds like it could be a lost gem from the late '50s or early '60s; however, beneath the classic veneer are frank, highly relevant lyrics.

Neilson's confident vocals are undoubtedly abetted by her being surrounded by familiar collaborators. She co-produced SASSAFRASS! with Ben Edwards, the co-producer of her last two critically-acclaimed albums, DYNAMITE! and DON'T BE AFRAID.

Backing her up in the studio was her talented band, the Hot Rockin' Band of Rhythm: Joe McCallum (drums), Mike Hall (bass), Brett Adams (guitar) and Neil Watson (guitar and pedal steel), who have toured with her around the globe over the past three years. A brass section and strings enhance the album's classic qualities.

For the past decade, Neilson has been the queen of the Kiwi country and roots music scenes, with countless accolades and achievements to her name, including a handful of 'Best Country Album' awards at the New Zealand Music Awards and the prestigious APRA Silver Scroll for excellence in songwriting.

She has also built up a loyal fan-base who know they're guaranteed one hell of a show, when it comes to her live performances and that's certainly what's in store for the SASSAFRASS! Tour.

Blind Boy Paxton is the living embodiment of the true blues in the 21st Century, but plays it all in the true songster tradition - ragtime, hokum, old time, French reels, Appalachian mountain music, blues and lots more.

The multi-instrumentalist has earned a reputation for transporting audiences back to the 1920s and making them wish they could stay.

He sings and plays the banjo, guitar, piano, fiddle, harmonica, Cajun accordion, and the bones. He has the eerie ability to transform traditional jazz, blues, folk, and country into the here and now, and make it real.

Blind Boy Paxton has announced a six-date New Zealand tour across the country, taking in Totara Street in Tauranga on February 12, Christchurch's The Piano on February 13, Theatre Royal in Nelson on February 15, Old St Paul's in Wellington on February 16, before winding things up in Hawkes Bay at Blackbarn on February 17.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to see the extraordinary bluesman live in New Zealand this February.