Festival of Colour’s Musical Repertoire

Festival of Colour’s Musical Repertoire

Music from all areas of the globe will echo through the halls and hills of the Southern Lakes during the Festival of Colour, next month.

The six-day festival programme is packed with over 20 diverse and entertaining musical performances. The rich Pacific sounds of New Caledonia, the moving tunes and lyrics of Irish blues and the blend of traditional Maori music with contemporary western grooves are sure to get your toes tapping, put the rhythm in your soul and warm the heart.

Mary Coughlan is Ireland’s premier jazz and blues singer. During her career, she has been likened to legends such as Peggy Lee and Marianne Faithful. Coughlan sings from experience, with her performance conveying her struggle with drink, drugs, bad management and record industry strife. She has built a strong New Zealand following on the back of appearances at the Christchurch Jazz Festival.

Moana and the Tribe create a fusion of traditional Maori song and contemporary western grooves. The sheer musical energy of each performance makes for exhilarating listening and the power of her music has earned the group a reputation as one of the most successful indigenous bands to emerge from Aotearoa.

Kalaga’la hail from New Caledonia and their roots are the French Territories of Wallis and Futuna as they blend the folk rhythms of these islands with the Kaneka beats. The band has been performing for eight years throughout New Caledonia and France, and this year is performing on stages across New Zealand. Their infectious music carries a uniquely Pacific Island style and culture – just sit back and feel the warmth.

Also featured are the rousing sounds of gospel with the 30-strong Jubilation Choir bringing gospel with a rock ‘n’ roll attitude to the region. The choir presents a number of high profile singers, such as Rick Bryant, Jennifer Ward-Lealand and Jackie Clarke. Although their repertoire is firmly rooted in traditional African-American gospel, they also perform work by contemporary songwriters that draw on that tradition, such as Ben Harper, Cissy Houstoun and even Van Morrison.

Drawing on the deep roots of Americana, the Windy City Strugglers perform songs of striking originality and depth that manage to also reflect their own country of New Zealand. Their jug-band and blues influenced music combines with a rocking, acoustic-based sound and the ultimate in soulful vocals from Rick Bryant to provide a memorable performance.

The Festival finale is the lilting rhythms of Eastern European gypsy music in the hands of six young and highly energetic Australian musicians. Guaranteed to connect with young and old, Doch delivers furious tempos that get the feet moving and when the beat-driven grooves give way to gentle melodies, audiences had better be prepared for the crescendo of excitement that is sure to follow.

“The Festival has drawn a huge mix of musical talent to the region. Over 100 musicians will play top quality music to reach your body and your soul and is guaranteed to warm up any crisp autumn evening,” said festival director Philip Tremewan.

The Festival of Colour runs from April 24 to 29 featuring six days and nights of art, drama, music, comedy and dance from national and international artists and performers, set against the autumnal backdrop of Lake Wanaka. Tickets are available from TicketDirect outlets nationwide or through the Festival web site at www.festivalofcolour.co.nz together with full details of the programme.

ENDS

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