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.
Showtime Australia presents this spectacular music tribute and full-scale stage production honouring the one and only King of Pop, Michael Jackson. Celebrate Jackson’s creative genius and unsurpassed talent with riveting live performances spanning his early days as a member of the Jackson 5, his groundbreaking theatrics in the 80s and his continued domination of Pop culture into the 21st century.
Songs include Thriller, Billie Jean, Smooth Criminal, Bad, Beat It, ABC, Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough, Human Nature, PYT, They Don’t Really Care About Us and many more.
Get the full Michael Jackson concert experience with accomplished impersonator Dantanio - electrifying in his role as Jackson - plus a live band, choreographed dancers, authentic costumes, state-of-the-art sound and theatrical lighting, vision and effects. Truly a mind-blowing stage production - do not miss it!
Showtime Australia presents this spectacular music tribute and full-scale stage production honouring the one and only King of Pop, Michael Jackson. Celebrate Jackson’s creative genius and unsurpassed talent with riveting live performances spanning his early days as a member of the Jackson 5, his groundbreaking theatrics in the 80s and his continued domination of Pop culture into the 21st century.
Songs include Thriller, Billie Jean, Smooth Criminal, Bad, Beat It, ABC, Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough, Human Nature, PYT, They Don’t Really Care About Us and many more.
Get the full Michael Jackson concert experience with accomplished impersonator Dantanio - electrifying in his role as Jackson - plus a live band, choreographed dancers, authentic costumes, state-of-the-art sound and theatrical lighting, vision and effects. Truly a mind-blowing stage production - do not miss it!
Singer-songwriter Jasper Hawkins is set to return to his home town with a five-piece band and his sister Jane on vocals.
He last played in Nelson in 2016 to a sold out audience at The Boathouse. Hawkins is beginning to gain traction in the musical world with his classic sound reminiscent of Fleetwood Mac and Simon & Garfunkel.
He is now based in Auckland and returns for the launch of his debut album recorded at Neil Finn's Roundhead Studio. La Vida String Quartet will join him and the band, playing his original compositions and a number of covers.
In August this year Hawkins' hauntingly beautiful song Letter to my Mother, was featured on Jesse Mulligan's show on Radio NZ. He will be performing this live at his concert and copies of his new album will be for sale on the night.
Jasper encourages you to "Come along and be inspired by beautiful instrumentation and soaring harmonies".
Rockshop Bandquest is a new platform for the next generation of contemporary musicians to step out and perform in a supportive and encouraging competition format, with a focus on education, inspiration and entertainment.
This event is the Nelson Regional Final of the Nationwide Intermediate school band competition.
A musical imagining of Shakespeare's great soliloquies.
After a stunning sold-out show at Auckland's Pop-Up Globe, we are thrilled to have Play On in Nelson.
From Tui-nominated songwriter and award-winning composer Paul McLaney, and the producers behind Fly My Pretties, Play On is a celebration of Shakespeare set to contemporary music with an amazing New Zealand cast. McLaney has enlisted the help of high-profile musicians to perform a number of Shakespeare's most well-loved soliloquies as a song cycle.
Play On features performances from McLaney himself, alongside Julia Deans and Mara TK (Electric Wire Hustle), with accompaniment from the EDIN string section, featuring Rachel Wells, Jessica Hindin and Mahuia Bridgeman-Cooper.
The brainchild of McLaney along with actor/directors Ian Mune and Peter Elliot, Play On combines the best in acting and music for an unforgettable experience.
"If music be the food of love, play on." WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
Welcome to the Nelson Final of Smokefreerockquest!
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.
The Nelson Heats will be at Annesbrook Church on May 13 and will have door sales only.
New Zealand country music icons Eddie Low, Gray Bartlett, Brendan Dugan & Jody Vaughan and headed South with The True Legend tour, which will see icons of the country entertainment celebrating with their adoring fans in Nelson with a matinee performance of all your country favourites.
Join these multi award winning artists from the rich voice of Eddie Low, awesome guitar finesse of Gray Bartlett, Rich deep tones of Brendan Dugan and Queen of NZ Country music Jody Vaughan.
Don't miss this opportunity to see 'The True Legends' -The heartbeat of County - New Zealand's Super Stars.
