ABOUT THIS CONCERT:
Hailing all the way from Nashville TN, South for Winter are back in NZ and they're bringing their signature blend of dreamy acoustic duets, bluesy Southern Gothic murder ballads, and finger-snapping jazz to Queenstown for the first time. Award-winning kiwi artist Arun O'Connor will be opening the evening, so it's sure to be a show you don't want to miss!
Nestled in the stunning vista of Speargrass Flat, South For Winter will be performing in the newly renovated Waikaka Church. This location, combined with the beautiful acoustics of the historic church, is sure to make for a magical evening. The doors will be open from 5.30pm with drinks at the bar and a food truck available (Smoke and Pickle) to soak up the atmosphere. Then the show will kick off at 7pm!
We have officially SOLD OUT of early bird tickets. General Admission is now $30 (+bf), and $35 on the door.
SOUTH FOR WINTER:
New Zealand-formed and Nashville-based South for Winter’s sound is as eclectic as their origins. The act is comprised of New Zealander Nick Stone and Coloradan Dani Cichon, and together the two multi-instrumentalists and songwriters combine elements such as percussive acoustic guitar, mandolin, suitcase stomp, foot percussion, electric guitar, and effortless harmonies into a genre-bending sound described by American Songwriter as impeccable”. The band has landed accolades such as an Official Artist at South by Southwest Music Festival in 2023 (SXSW), Finalist for Best Group in the 2023 International Acoustic Awards, Official Showcase Artist at Folk Alliance International in both 2022 and 2024, Semi-Finalist in the 2022 International Songwriting Competition, and “Most Wanted” Emerging Artist at Falcon Ridge Festival in 2018; and, with a dynamic and captivating live performance that has blown kiwis away across the country, it's easy to understand why.
ARUN O'CONNOR BIO
Born and raised in the deep south of New Zealand, Arun O'Connor is a highly-revered musician who has made significant contributions to the local music scene over the past 17 years. With extensive experience as a session musician and musical director, O'Connor has had the privilege of collaborating with renowned international artists including Jody Direen, Kayla Mahon, Susanne Prentice, Tom Sharplin, and The Heartleys. Additionally, he has also showcased his exceptional vocal abilities as the frontman for local cover and tribute bands.
In 2018, O'Connor's exceptional talent was recognized when he won the prestigious NZ Gold Guitar Awards Senior Overall Award. As a result of this achievement, he was granted the opportunity to record his debut single, Following The Line, in Nashville with producer Jay Tooke. The song quickly gained popularity, reaching the impressive positions of #2 on the NZ iTunes Country Charts and #11 on the Official NZ Music NZ Hot Singles Charts. Building upon this success, O'Connor's subsequent single, Let Go Of My Heart, soared to the top spot on the NZ iTunes Country Charts. Despite facing the challenges posed by the global pandemic, O'Connor remained resilient and began writing songs for his highly-anticipated debut album, Songs From The Reading Room. Released on April 22nd, the album features captivating tracks such as Too Far Gone, Star Of Your Own Show, and When The Lights Go Down (In This Town). Notably, the music video for Too Far Gone has already amassed over 50,000 plays on YouTube within its first month. Last year in July, O'Connor had the fantastic opportunity to embark on his very first tour with fellow NZ Gold Guitar Winner, Jaydin Shingleton. Together, they journeyed through the South Island, captivating audiences in Invercargill, Gore, Dunedin, Christchurch, Lyttelton, Kaikoura, Blenheim, Westport, and Queenstown. It was an incredible experience for both musicians, and they were thrilled to share their music with Kiwis far and wide.
In addition to his successful debut album, Arun O'Connor has exciting news for his fans. Thanks to the support of NZ On Air funding, he will be releasing a new single called Repeat Heartache later this year. This opportunity enables O'Connor to continue sharing his music with the public, further solidifying his reputation as an artist to watch.
