The festival opens with thie APRA/Play it Strange co-produced evening entitled Songwriting and NZ’s Music Tradition. There will a performance by 2 bands with Havelock North High School connections, Gareth Malan and Tuesdays Gone and the evening will be headlined by Annah Mac. Local HB band, Valve, will do a short set of music in tribtute to Ian Morris
New Zealand has been selected as the first country outside of the UK to host City Showcase – the London music festival that launched superstars Amy Winehouse, Keane and Razorlight and Napier is set to host the event.
New and emerging musicians will be given the opportunity to perform at gigs in and around Napier’s vibrant Art Deco city centre including in bars, cafes, boutiques and bookshops creating a musical village, with evening gigs moving to the well established concert venues which will be supported by headline acts.
The audience will be invited to vote for their favourite act and the Festival will culminate in a finale - Finding the Future - in front of a judging panel made up of leaders from the New Zealand music industry at the iconic Soundshell on Sunday afternoon.
Daytime events will be free but wristband holders will be eligible for promotions whilst the performance is taking place. Entry to evening gigs, Workshops & the Soundshell will be by wristband only, costing $30 for the whole weekend. Entry on a first come first served basis subject to age restrictions as some venues.
