Kauaeranga Gigs

05/08/2024

ANDREW LONDON AT KAUAERANGA HALL - 17th August
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Andrew London’s quirky satirical songs have been the backbone of swing trio Hot Club Sandwich, Tui-nominated country-rockers the Cattlestops, and his self-named Andrew London Trio for more than a quarter of a century.

I Hugged My Mate, Let’s Talk About Me and My Daughter’s Got a Boyfriend have had audiences in stitches for decades, but the songwriting is multi-faceted. Songs like ‘Emily Bay’, about the 1846 convict uprising on Norfolk Island, ‘Forty Winters’, a discussion with a bricklayer from Newcastle-on-Tyne, and ‘You Just Count it Off’, his reminiscence of collaborations with Taranaki muso Keith Cramer, all evoke degrees of pathos and poignancy that belie his reputation as a writer of comedic songs.

London’s delivery is wrapped in an eclectic mix of styles with Andrew’s swing-era guitar style accompanying, while partner Kirsten underpins solidly on bass and backing vocals. The duo regularly play jazz, blues, country and folk festivals and clubs, with no obsession or preference for any of those particular musical umbrellas. ‘They’re just annoyingly limiting’.

Andrew’s songs and recordings have gained 4-star reviews in Downbeat magazine (the World’s longest-running and most widely read jazz magazine), provided soundtracks to movies (Second-Hand Wedding, No Ordinary Sheila, No Petrol, No Diesel), been nominated for Tui awards and contributed to National Radio’s Greatest Song Ever Written and a Correspondence School English Syllabus.

The duo’s current show sees them tighter than ever, the songs more concise, with the accent on acerbic satire, tongue-twisting wordsmithery, and lovingly crafted vocal harmonies. Someone once said “I’ve never seen anyone sing so many words, so fast, without swallowing his own tongue.”

https://andrewlondon.co.nz/

WHAT: The Andrew London Duo
WHEN: Saturday 17th August @ 7:30pm
WHERE: Kauaeranga Hall, 437 Kauaeranga Valley Rd, Thames
TICKETS: Door sales $25
Pre-paid $22 txt: 021912993 or [email protected]
or Garden Music, 712 Pollen St, Thames

Keep up to date with music events in Thames. Come and see Arts on Tour, and independent musicians.

20/06/2024

Club Manouche at Kauaeranga Music 26 July @ 7:30pm
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After a six month self-imposed recess, Kauaeranga Music is back for the second half of 2024, and celebrate this with Club Manouche on Friday 26th July at 7:30pm.

Featuring Professor James Sneyd on violin, Craig Denham on accordion, foot percussion and vocals, Phil (the shredder) Beatson on guitar and Aaron Coddel on bass Club Manouche play an intoxicating live set of gypsy swing classics, mixed with an eclectic selection of odd sorts.

With the tangible camaraderie of seasoned players and long friendships, their performances are filled with passion, gusto, a sense of humour and mischievousness. They certainly not beyond taking a well-known tune down the wormhole of contagious improvisational outbursts to see what’s there.

The recommendation from the artists is to turn up with your best bohemian spirit and your dancing shoes. These guys know how to have fun with music and to give everyone a smile that only comes from a night out with great live music.

WHAT: CLUB MANOUCHE
WHEN: Friday 26th July 2024 @ 7:30pm
WHERE: Kauaeranga Hall, 437 Kauaeranga Valley Rd, Thames
TICKETS: Door sales $25
Pre-paid $22 txt: 021912993 or [email protected]
or Garden Music, 712 Pollen St, Thames

30/12/2023

Kauaeranga Music welcomes back THE EASTERN
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The Eastern, last seen at Kauaeranga Hall in 2018, describe themselves as a string band that roars like a punk band, that swings like a gospel band, that hopes like folk singers, and sings love songs like union songs, and writes union songs like love songs, and wants to slow dance and stand on tables, all at the same time.
Four albums and well over 1000 shows deep The Eastern have played and toured with Fleetwood Mac, Steve Earle and Old Crow Medicine Show amongst others, ticking off miles, countries and 200 plus shows a year every year.

‘No Depression’ magazine noted they were “One of the best modern roots acts, from any country”. Both Radio NZ and the NZ Herald described them as “National Treasures” and The Heralds Graham Reid called singer Adam McGrath “NZ’s toughest minded songwriter”. NZ country legend Barry Saunders simply called them “The Truth.”

Having delivered four albums (‘The Eastern’, ‘Arrows’, ‘Hope & Wire’ and ‘The Territory’), The Eastern garnered a reputation as NZ’s hardest working and most honest to goodness band, one that embraced an old-fashioned ethic of people and shows over posts and playlists. They gather converts and friends wherever they or their records land.

Thrillingly the rolling, rambling, spirit raising atmospheres they project in their live shows have endeared them to the hearts of many. It’s obvious they care about the audience as much as the songs.

WHAT: THE EASTERN
WHEN: Friday 12 January 2024 @ 7:30pm (outdoor gig if fine)
WHERE: Kauaeranga Hall, 437 Kauaeranga Valley Rd, Thames
TICKETS: Door sales $25
Pre-paid $22 txt: 021912993 or [email protected]
or Garden Music, 712 Pollen St, Thames

03/11/2023

03/11/2023

THE EVER-POPULAR ANDREW LONDON IS BACK FOR FINAL 2023 GIG AT KAUAERANGA HALL - Saturday 25th November @ 7:30pm

At Kauaeranga Music’s final gig for 2023, the Andrew London Duo with be filling our hearts and the Kauaeranga Hall with exceptional musicianship, laughter, and lyrics which cut to the heart of what it means to be ‘Kiwi’.
Andrew was last here with Too Many Chiefs in September this year. But as a duo Andrew London (guitars) plays alongside Kirsten London on bass. Their music has elements of blues, folk, country, jazz, western swing and English music hall – all are evident in this show which will be, as always, incredibly entertaining. Laughter is assured.
Throughout four decades of writing, travelling and recording, Andrew London has carved his own niche in the Kiwi music business, and amassed an enviable army of followers. His quirky songs gently (and sometimes not-so-gently) lampoon our Kiwi obsessions, attitudes and taboos with witty and playful lyrics; poignant, relevant, and so easy to identify with.
Recent reviewers of Andrew’s songs have made comparisons to the late John Clarke (who admitted to being an Andrew London fan), and after a recent appearance live on NZ’s National Radio, one commentator remarked 'The Andrew London Duo are Flight of the Conchords for rest homes’!
Andrew has finished a handful of new songs which appear on the new 'Get Back To Work!' album, and which will feature in this show.
https://andrewlondon.co.nz/
WHAT: The Andrew London Duo
WHEN: Saturday 25th November @ 7:30pm
WHERE: Kauaeranga Hall, 437 Kauaeranga Valley Rd, Thames
TICKETS: Door sales $25
Pre-paid $22 txt: 021912993 or [email protected]
or Garden Music, 712 Pollen St, Thames

22/10/2023

Fantastic gigs on Saturday with Nairobi Trio at Kauaeranga Hall. Thanks for getting our Labour Weekend off to a great start Aaron Coddel, Richard Adams and John Quigley.

19/10/2023

Celebrate Labour Weekend with the coolest of Jazz bands - the Nairobi Trio, with TWO concerts to choose from.
Saturday, 21 October 2023 @2:30pm or 7:30pm
Kauaeranga Hall, 437 Kauaeranga Valley Rd
Door Sales $30

16/09/2023

Awesome night with "Too Many Chiefs" - Wayne Mason, Rob Joass, Andrew London, Charlotte Yates.

04/09/2023

JUST 11 DAYS TO GO - SATURDAY 21 OCTOBER

The Nairobi Trio have been described as New Zealand's favourite “Jazz Entertainers”. And it is exciting for Thames, and for all jazz fans, that they are playing two concerts in the Kauaeranga Valley.

WHEN: Saturday 21 October 2023 @ 2:30pm and 7:30pm
WHERE: Kauaeranga Hall, 437 Kauaeranga Valley Rd, Thames
TICKETS: $30 by txt: 021 912 993 or [email protected] or Garden Music, 712 Pollen St, Thames

Keep up to date with music events in Thames. Come and see Arts on Tour, and independent musicians.

17/08/2023

TOO MANY CHIEFS @ KAUARANGA HALL -Sat 16 September
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Too Many Chiefs are four of New Zealand’s busiest singer/songwriters: Rob Joass, Andrew London, Wayne Mason and Charlotte Yates. Their individual influences and performing styles range from blues and jazz to country and folk, often with an element of social commentary, personal reflection and occasional satire.

Andrew London’s reputation stands mostly on his satirical and comedic songs which lampoon many of New Zealand society’s obsessions, foibles and taboos, eliciting chuckles from audiences all over New Zealand, Australia and Norfolk Island.

Rob Joass is well known throughout New Zealand through his solo work and with his band Hobnail. He writes compulsively, tours incessantly, teaches guitar and produces albums for other artists, and is a three-time finalist at the NZ Music Awards.

Patriarch of the group Wayne Mason (MNZM) has been instrumental in the formation and success of some of the most revered names in Kiwi music history. Rocking Horse, the Fourmyula and the Warratahs all owe their inception to Mason, who shows no signs of slowing the pace, or lowering the standard he set back in 1969 when he penned the song ‘Nature’, named by APRA in 2004 as ‘Best Kiwi Song of the Century’.

Charlotte Yates is an independent singer/songwriter and recording artist. She has released seven of her own solo albums, alongside extensive collaborative and compilation work and has completed projects honouring Hone Tuwhare, Witi Ihimaera and Katherine Mansfield.

WHAT: TOO MANY CHIEFS
WHEN: Saturday 16th September 2023 @ 7:30pm
WHERE: Kauaeranga Hall, 437 Kauaeranga Valley Rd, Thames
TICKETS: Door sales $25
Pre-paid $22 txt: 021912993 or [email protected]
or Garden Music, 712 Pollen St, Thames

10/07/2023

Next Gig

10/07/2023

Another great concert on Sunday from Aro, a finalist in the APRA Silver Scroll Awards 2023.

23/06/2023

Celebrate MATARIKI with ARO at Kauaeranga Hall
SUNDAY 9th July @ 2:30pm (Afternoon Gig)
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Aro, made up of husband and wife Charles Looker (Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa, Ngāti Te Ata, Te Ati Awa) and Emily Looker (nee Rice), is a bilingual duo, sharing a passion for the power of language and music to tell stories and remind us of our cultural identity.

At Kauaeranga Hall, Emily and Charles of Aro are presenting a collection of new songs celebrating stories of our natural heritage, including award-nominated waiata about the native birdlife of this land and songs inspired by marine life that live in the waters off our coasts.

Their performance, in a mix of Te Reo Māori and English, includes elements of folk, soul, haka, and a touch of jazz, to bring audiences of all ages together in a celebration of the natural world that surrounds us.

Aro has been consistently broadcast on Māori Television and has featured on numerous radio stations across the country with interviews, live performances, and radio airplay.

Inspired by the challenges that life brings, the pair are set to release their moving new waiata ‘Aroā’.

WHAT: ARO
WHEN: Sunday 9th July 2023 @ 2:30pm (afternoon concert)
WHERE: Kauaeranga Hall, 437 Kauaeranga Valley Rd, Thames
TICKETS: Door sales $25
Pre-paid $22 txt: 021912993 or [email protected]
or The Music Shop, 712 Pollen St, Thames

Keep up to date with music events in Thames. Come and see Arts on Tour, and independent musicians.

11/06/2023

Great gig this afternoon with Thomas Loefke.

His encore was pretty special!

02/05/2023

Berliner THOMAS LOEFKE Plays Harp at Kauaeranga Hall
Sunday 11 June @ 2:30pm

Islands in the North Atlantic, like Tory Island - the Irish island of legend and myth, the Hebrides in the Northwest of Scotland, and the Shetlands - are the places where Berlin-based harpist and photographer Thomas Loefke spends a considerable amount of time every year to compose music.

On Sunday 11th June Thomas with be entertaining his audience with a harp concert, accompanied by a slideshow of some of his dramatic photos - coastal landscapes, the wide open space of the Atlantic ocean, and the rich wildlife of the North Atlantic.
Thomas’s music gives expression to the sounds of the Celtic Middle Ages, the lively dances of Irish folk music, along with his own original compositions.

Thomas learnt his trade in Dublin from Ireland's leading harp players - Máire Ní Cháthasaigh, Helen Davies, Jeanette Harbison and Áine Ní Dhúill. Since 1984 he has been playing professionally and has won several international prizes.

"People are listening to quiet haunting music again," says Thomas. "It's amazing how the sound of the harp takes the speed out of everyday life and brings you back to a sort of tingling slowness."

WHAT: THOMAS LOEFKE
WHEN: Sunday 11th June 2023 @ 2:30pm (afternoon
WHERE: Kauaeranga Hall, 437 Kauaeranga Valley Rd, Thames
TICKETS:
Door sales $25
Pre-paid $22
txt: 021912993 or [email protected]
or Lotus Realm 714 Pollen St, Thames

Keep up to date with music events in Thames. Come and see Arts on Tour, and independent musicians.

13/04/2023

Sean Kelly at Kauaeranga Hall - April 29 @ 7:30pm
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Kauaeranga Music is delighted to welcome Thames local musician Sean Kelly back to the Kauaeranga Hall following his successful Summer Tour through New Zealand.

Originally from Derry City, Ireland, Sean started his musical career in London and has been a regular feature of the New Zealand music scene since his arrival here.

At Kauaeranga Hall, Sean will be bringing an intimate evening of twenty years of his original music, all of which has been written since his arrival in 1990 our fair shores.

Seeking a new beginning after the world didn't actually end with Y2K, Sean wrote his first ever song with lyrics and music, "Weary". This song was written when Sean discovered the Eminor chord on his relatively new first guitar in 2003.

Throughout the 90’s Sean mostly played other people’s music in the Irish pub scene with his band ‘Roisin Dubh’, sometimes putting lyrics to traditional Irish tunes as with "The Rainbow Warrior", a song dedicated to Greenpeace with music from the traditional Irish reel "The Musical Priest".

Now, twenty years after writing that first song, Sean has an original repertoire that he would like to get off his chest before the next 'end of the world' event.

Sean is proud to return to the legendary Kauaeranga Hall on Saturday, April 29.

WHAT: Sean Kelly
WHEN: Saturday 29 April @ 7:30pm
WHERE: Kauaeranga Hall, 437 Kauaeranga Valley Rd, Thames
TICKETS: Door sales $25
Pre-book $22 txt: 021912993 or [email protected]
or Lotus Realm 714 Pollen St, Thames

08/03/2023

An afternoon with DENISE NORTON at Kauaeranga Hall
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Denise Norton, who has risen to be one of our most successful international stage performers, and whose versatility spans from classics to jazz and more, will be delighting a Sunday afternoon audience at the Kauaeranga Hall.

Born and bred in Auckland, she became a student member of the Royal Academy of Dance, which began a career performing all around the world.

Spending a lot of her time in Europe, she performed in a varied line-up of shows including CATS, Beauty and the Beast, Requiem before a year in New York City, performing in jazz clubs.

Denise’s versatility will be on show at the Kauaeranga Hall where she will feature music made famous by these shows, as well as songs from the music of Edith Piaf, Screaming Jay Hawkins, Al Cooper, and from her latest recording projects.

This will be a concert filled with heart-warming and dramatic songs along with brilliant orchestrations.

WHAT: DENISE NORTON
WHEN: Sunday 26th March 2023 @ 2:30pm (afternoon, indoors)
WHERE: Kauaeranga Hall, 437 Kauaeranga Valley Rd, Thames
TICKETS: Door sales $25
Pre-paid $22 txt: 021912993 or [email protected]
or Lotus Realm 714 Pollen St, Thames

24/02/2023

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency advises that while a solution is still being worked on it will be around 9 to 12 months before State Highway 25A is fully re-opened.

22/02/2023

Kauaeranga Fair - THIS SATURDAY 25th Feb @ 11am - 2pm
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Live Music with Andy Mac.

Fun for all the family, and plenty of exciting things to tempt you ...

- Trailer loads of firewood
- Home baking and preserves
- Plants
- Gifts
- Cafe
- Sausage Sizzle ... and more.

10/02/2023

A wonderful night on Friday 10th for 78 fans with Ensemble Sangineto.