15 February 2010

Little Bushman and friends set for sonic journey
Sunday 28 February 2010, 4pm – 8pm

TheNewDowse lawn, Laings Road, Lower Hutt

Free

Hutt City’s Pelorus Trust Music in Parks series hits its final notes with a cosmic sound journey designed to electrify the senses.  Top New Zealand band Little Bushman will be joined by Wellington soul-rock outfit Good Laika and rock ’n’ rollers Mercury Crowe.

Little Bushman was formed originally as a trio in 2005.  Frontman Warren Maxwell (ex Fat Freddys Drop and Trinity Roots) teamed up with Tom Callwood on bass and Rick Cranson on drums and was joined in 2006 by Joe Callwood on lead guitar in order to create a real blues band. 

They’ve have played almost every music festival in New Zealand, including WOMAD 09, Homegrown and Parihaka Peace Festival and have supported other classic New Zealand musicians such as Dave Dobbyn and Don McGlashan.

Their performance promises to mesmerise the audience with a mixture of raw, experimental and wildly colourful psychedelic blues influenced by the late 1960s sound of the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Cream and The Who.

Good Laika, a Wellington-based five piece, were formed in 2003 and produce producing a unique sound that fuses rock, soul and folk elements.  After two critically acclaimed albums Heads I Win, Tails You Lose and Followed by a Trail of Sparks the band have built up a solid national following and are excited about bringing their compelling live show to the Music in Parks series.

Another Wellington band, Mercury Crowe, plays everything from filthy blues riffs to storytelling ballads and foot stomping rock.   Fresh from their performance at Wellington’s Gardens Magic concert series, Mercury Crowe are promising plenty of tunes to get the party started.

Music in Parks is proudly produced by Hutt City Council with support from Pelorus Trust, The Radio Network, the Hutt News and Tip Top.

In addition to the music, concert-goers are encouraged to pack a picnic and enjoy a wonderland of outdoor sculpture at the Bank Shoes shapeshifter exhibition that is taking place in the adjacent Civic Gardens and TheNewDowse. 

Banks Shoes shapeshifter has grown to be the major visual arts event of the New Zealand International Arts Festival, one of the country’s premier sculpture exhibitions and an important charitable event.  It features sculptures from nearly 60 artists, including top New Zealand sculptors Para Matchitt, Don Driver, Graham Bennett, Tanya Ashken, Peter Nicholls, Jenny Smith and Robert Hague, as well as exciting emerging artists.

Entry to shapeshifter is $5 with proceeds to charity, and accompanied children free. There is a free guided tour at 11am. For further information visit www.shapeshifter.org.nz.

Things to remember

Music in Parks is a family friendly event.  No alcohol, glass, or prohibited items will be permitted.  Bags may be searched at venue entry points.  
Picnics are welcome or concert-goers can purchase food from on-site vendors.
Animals (other than guide dogs) are not allowed at the venue.  
Concert-goers are encouraged to dress comfortably and be sun-smart.

Getting to TheNewDowse

By car: Parking is available around the Lower Hutt CBD, which is only a short walk from the venue.  Please note that Laings Road and TheNewDowse car-park will be closed for the event from 12 noon to 9pm.

By bus: Catch the bus to Westfield Queensgate.  Timetable information is available at www.metlink.org.nz or by phoning 0800 801 700.

ENDS

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