News Release
Monday 7 July 2014
Rotorua in for a hot August night
August 28 in Rotorua is shaping up as a hot August night when the city gets to experience its biggest ever tribute music
show on stage at the Energy Events Centre.
Internationally acclaimed Neil Diamond tribute artist Peter Byrne, and a thirty-piece orchestra, will be performing a
two-hour faithful recreation of Diamond’s famous 1972 concert from the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles.
The live album recorded at the historic concert and called Hot August Night, became Neil Diamond’s signature recording
and went on to become one of the biggest selling albums in music history.
Recreating the original format of the Greek Theatre concert Rotorua’s own Hot August Night show will feature Diamond
classics including Sweet Caroline, I am I said, Song Sung Blue, Holly Holy, Cracklin’ Rosie, Cherry Cherry and the
Crunchy Granola Suite.
Peter Byrne delivers these epic numbers with the spontaneous energy and sensuality of Neil Diamond, coupled with his own
brand of superb musicianship. His show has been endorsed by Neil Diamond himself who called it a “great tribute show.”
One Australian newspaper entertainment critic wrote that the day he saw a better Diamond, would be the day the man
himself appeared on stage [The Mercury, Illawarra].
Byrne’s first performance of the Hot August Night production in 1995 was a 25th anniversary tribute to Diamond’s famous
album, receiving a prolonged standing ovation from a 4000 strong audience at the Sydney Convention Centre. Since then
the show has been performed every August to enthusiastic audiences across the world.
It will the first time the Hot August Night international stage show has been brought to New Zealand, with Rotorua being
the first of just three New Zealand shows on the tour - the others being in Hamilton and Auckland.
Rotorua’s Hot August Night concert will be at the Energy Events Centre on 28 August, followed by a Hamilton show at the
Founders’ Theatre on 29 August.
Grandstand seats for the Rotorua show start from $59.90, with seats at tables adjacent to the dance floor at $115 with a
two-course dinner included. A full bar service will be available. There are also children’s, senior citizens’ and group
rates on offer.
Tickets for the Rotorua show are on sale now from Rotorua Convention Centre‘s ticket office, or can be purchased online
from www.ticketek.co.nzand by phone on 0800 842 538, for both the Rotorua and Hamilton shows.
ENDS