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Laura's screening with Laura Weaser |
Despite calling itself a Winery Tour and being set in a big grass field, The Classic Hits Winery Tour knows how to throw a good party. With over 2500 people rocking out to the big names in New Zealand music, the tour was rocking good fun in the Tauranga sun.
Don McGlashan still rocks hard for an old fella. Photo: Meredith Lords.
I love the Winery Tour because – despite the fact it is a mad rush to get everyone together, organised and in line before the first act starts at 6pm – it is like hosting a casual picnic in your backyard, but with better music and more children running around.
The clichéd ‘classic Kiwi summer' vibe of picnic/barbecue food in the sunshine is transplanted to a gig without every feeling overcrowded.
Armed with my ham, bread and picnic blanket, Avalanche City welcomed us into the balmy summer evening with their folk-rock hits.
Although it wasn't the best set I have heard them play, I put this down to the fact we were right underneath he speakers and it was fractionally too loud (to the point of crackling).
Saving Love, Love, Love for post-dinner time, the ‘mosh pit' gathered a fair crowd by the end of their set, with kids and parents alike jigging to the sound of the banjo's strum.
Avalanche City: bringing the gig vibe to a crowd of 2500. Photo: Meredith Lords.
A quick set change and we were into The Mutton Birds.
Opening with a song I honestly didn't recognise (I have never been a big Mutton Birds fan), but leaping straight into Dominion Road, the ‘oldies' were up and dancing.
Note the woman up on the bank behind the toilets had her ‘60s summer sway on in a tie-dyed dress seducing her younger looking man to this song was a personal highlight.
Despite not being a big fan, I too go in amongst the mosh pit with the crowd complied of a real mix of hard-core fans, children and drunk parents at 7.30pm.
But it was all in good fun, and Don McGlashan really knew how to please the crowd. I have never seen a man wield a tuba in a more impressive way.
Singing along to the overly complicated chorus of Nature, or feeling part of a peaceful Greenpeace protest during Anchor Me, The Mutton Birds still have it after 30 years.
After a good half hour of change over (and more wine for me) and headliner Gin Wigmore lit up the stage.
Blood red lights, skulls and red roses weaved their way up her microphone.
Smoke filled the air as the night sky turned from dusk to darkness, a fitting entrance for the sultry singer.
Red hot: Gin Wigmore was in fine spirits, despite appearing very sober.
Gin was back, foul mouthed as ever, and having real fun with her songs both old and new. She told us she loved being back in New Zealand before launching into songs from her new album Gravel and Wine.
Her time in America showed as she commanded the stage with a real presence and that voice that filled the Domain with a power of the blues.
Engaging with the crowd, someone threw her a pair of glow sticks glasses which made her ‘feel like I am in a disco', and exclaiming how much she loved glow sticks.
Famous last words as she was inundated by a shower of about 50 more from over-zealous tween fans.
Donning her acoustic guitar and even a ukulele for a Somewhere Under the Rainbow/I Do mash up, Gin proved herself as a solid headline act and one the crowd loved and adore to have back in New Zealand.
All three acts returning to the stage to sing Hit the Road Jack really summed up the evening.
As young and old, new generation and past joined together on the green, Tauranga's biggest backyard picnic had yet another successful year.
Reel Moments
The crowd pleaser – Gin's performance. I am a little biased as I love her work and she is always great to chat to, but not just that – she nailed her status as a headline act.
The stage dive – The extortionate price of wine. $40 for a bottle of wine worth $10 in the supermarket and you can't bring your own! Tears. (says the poor student in me)
Final curtain call? – Another year of good music and good wine, epitomising the feel of Tauranga summers that I love.
