A Day On The Green Announce Devo, Simple Minds and The Church

As announced earlier this morning, Devo are heading our way to play A Day On The Green in December. Full details of the season opener have now been revealed with legendary acts Simply Minds and The Church also included on the bill - it's an 80s extravaganza!

A Day On The Green: Devo, Simple Minds and The Church
Saturday 15th December, Villa Maria Estate, South Auckland

Ticketing details below.

Here's the video for classic Simple Minds track - Don't Your Forget About Me:

And here's the video for equally classic song from The Church - Under The Milkyway:

For Devo clips - click here to see our earlier announcement.

Press Release:

SIMPLE MINDS & DEVO TOUR
ONE SHOW ONLY AT VILLA MARIA ESTATE, AUCKLAND
SATURDAY DECEMBER 15

They defined a generation, are revered by critics and adored by fans. In an epic career spanning 30 years and more than 40 million albums sold, Simple Minds travelled from the streets of Glasgow to become one of the world’s biggest bands with a musical majesty that still inspires awe.

Devo’s pioneering sound, style and philosophy had a profound effect on the new wave movement. Influential, subversive and downright entertaining, Devo’s cult status quickly spread to the mainstream and after 30 years, they are finally returning to NZ.

In what promises to be one of the most captivating concerts of the year, Simple Minds and Devo will perform a one-off show in New Zealand for a day on the green in the stunning surrounds of Villa Maria Estate, Auckland on Saturday December 15.

Joining them, and adding another highlight to savour, will be one of Australia’s finest, the church. Simple Minds, Devo and the church all in one night – now that’s what we call a concert not to be missed!

This is the first announcement for the upcoming a day on the green season and marks the fifth year of the acclaimed winery series in New Zealand. With more than 30 concerts presented at five wineries across the country, the event is now well and truly established as a huge part of the summer concert calendar.

And what a show to kick off the season!

Australia was the first place in the world to embrace Simple Minds’ music giving the band their first hit single ‘Love Song’ and first Gold album ‘New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84)’. It began a lengthy love affair with Australasia fuelled by a stellar array of hits like ‘Don’t You (Forget About Me)’, ‘Alive and Kicking’, ‘Love Song’, ‘Promised You A Miracle’, ‘Glittering Prize’ and ‘Waterfront’.

In the live concert arena, Simple Minds have few peers. This is a band that has played countless sold out stadium tours including three times at Wembley stadium, has been voted the prestigious Q Magazine’s ‘World’s Best Live Act’ and has retained a an enviable reputation as one of THE great live concert bands.

Simple Minds commence a lengthy European tour in late June in support of their just released box set “Simple MindsX5” which features their ground-breaking first five albums ‘Life in a Day’, ‘Real to Real Cacophony’, ‘Empires and Dance’, ‘Sons and Fascination/Sister Feelings Call’ and ‘New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84)’ as well as a bonus disc of rare and previously unavailable B-sides and remixes.

According to the UK Guardian Newspaper “Simple Minds are suddenly alive and kicking again” whilst the Metro says: “It’s official, Simple Minds are cool again.”

There’s no denying the influence Devo – brothers Mark and Bob Mothersbaugh and Gerald and Bob Casale - have exercised over a new generation of artists.

Devo was an extension of a multi-media exploration of the concept that mankind's progress had ceased, and the process of de-evolution had begun. Their early work from the visionary debut ‘Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo’ caught the attention of such icons as Brian Eno and David Bowie, and with hits like ‘Whip It’ and ‘Girl U Want’ and the accompanying revolutionary music videos, the group became one of the defining acts of the 1980s.

Devo’s surrealist and highly innovative stage shows have been an influence on artists from Rage Against the Machine to Lady Gaga. Kurt Cobain once said, "Of all the bands who came from the underground and actually made it in the mainstream, Devo is the most challenging and subversive of all."

In 2010 Devo released their first album in 20 years ‘Something For Everyone’ and have re-ignited their passion for live performance. They are about to tour the US with Blondie so will be in fine form when they hit our shores for the first time since 1982. DEVOtees - expect the unexpected!

Having recently celebrated their 30th anniversary, the church continue to redefine what it is to be a band, evolving without compromise into one of the world’s most acknowledged melodic art-rock groups.

From the debut album ‘Of Skins and Heart’ through to 2009′s lush, organic masterpiece ‘Untitled #23’, lead vocalist and bassist Steve Kilbey, guitarists Peter Koppes and Marty Willson-Piper and drummer Tim Powles (now an active member of the band for 17 years), continue to pleasure their fans with a combination of chemistry, talent and a desire for excellence, unique and distinctive guitar sounds and thought-provoking lyrics.

SATURDAY DECEMBER 15 – VILLA MARIA ESTATE, AUCKLAND

TICKETS: General Admission (GA) and Reserved seat tickets from www.ticketmaster.co.nz or 0800 111 999.