Music in Parks Brings Summer Soundtrack to Auckland

Summer of 2020 will see 25 free music events coming to a park near you, bringing Auckland’s standing as a UNESCO City of Music to life.

Auckland’s historic band rotundas and band-stands first brought contemporary music into parks more than 100 years ago. And for the last 40 summers, Auckland Council has brought melodies of every genre to Auckland parks and reserves with its always-stellar Music in Parks series.

Kiwi stars Jason Kerrison, Anika Moa and The Feelers will take to the stage at The Hits Kiwi Anthems concert in Lloyd Elsmore Park, supported by Howick Local Board.

Legendary Midge Marsden is back by popular demand to play what’s sure to be an excellent rhythm and blues set for Blues at Blockhouse Bay.

Basque Park in Eden Terrace will host a brand new event Uptown Sounds brought to the 2020 Music in Parks series by Uptown Business Association and headlined by Pluto.

Meanwhile, acts like Carb on Carb and Lucky Boy will bring their indie sound to Love Songs from the Underground at Auckland Domain Rotunda.

So, head on down to one of your local parks this summer for a festival vibe as you groove along to:

• • David Dallas and Kings making you dance your heart out at Flava Urban Beats
  • Bleeders will rock Auckland at Radio Hauraki Rock Royale in Henderson Park
  • Pluto re-unite this summer and perform at Uptown Sounds
  • Geoff Ong and Tijay as they bring their pop/dance flavours to Pop by the Rotunda
  • Opera in the Park where artists perform favourite opera pieces and show-tunes in partnership with NZ Opera
  • Suzy Cato’s musical friends at Kids Music in Parks in Birkenhead
  • Funky beats and soul melodies at Funk in the Sun at Potters Park

Gavin Downie, Auckland Council Music in Parks Event Manager, says: “We all love the outdoors and a good summer soundtrack, so Music in Parks brings Aucklanders that soundtrack every weekend with 25 events across the region – free, live and close to home – until April.”

“After touring with bands myself, I realised how lucky we are in Auckland with our vast green spaces and parks. So I feel excited we can bring these spaces alive with the sounds of opera, rock, indie, anthems and Te Reo artists.“

He says: “ In my experience music and rhythms are something people are drawn to. From an early age, we love the groovy beat of a drum kit or a funky bassline or a voice so Music in Parks really is for the whole family. You never know where your children might get the spark to go on to be the next Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Tiki Tane or Lorde. I think it’s good to surround children with music.“

Event-specific information and the 2020 line-up is live at www.musicinparks.co.nz now.

 

Music in Parks – 2020 Line-up

 Auckland Domain Rotunda – Sunday 12 January
Pop by the Rotunda
Gretel
Geoff Ong
Tijay

Omana Beach Reserve – Saturday 18 January
Music by the Beach
Radio Rebelde
Levy Lights on Project
Sunny Ray

Auckland Domain Rotunda – Sunday 19 January
A World Music Celebration
Ijebu Pleasure Club
Banda Latina

Glover Park, St Heliers – Saturday 25 January
Opera in the Park
New Zealand Opera
Opera Factory emerging artists

Jellicoe Park, Onehunga – Monday 27 January
Our Voices – Our Language
Rei
Huia
Plus special guests!

Harvey Wright Park, Birkenhead – Saturday 1 February
Kids Music in the Park
Suzy Cato

Bledisloe Park, Pukekohe – Sunday 2 February
Local Sounds
Strangely Arousing
Jarni Blair
The DeSotos

Hayman Park, Manukau – Thursday 6 February
Waitangi ki Manukau (Acts TBC)

Blockhouse Bay Reserve – Friday 7 February
Blues at Blockhouse Bay
Midge Marsden
Kendall Elise
The Solomon Cole Band

Potters Park, Balmoral – Saturday 8 February
Funk in the Sun
Sandy Mill
BEACHWARE
Investigator

Auckland Domain Rotunda – Sunday 9 February
The Electronic Aquarium
Yoko-Zuna
Researchintospeed
Imugi

Basque Park, Newton – Saturday 15 February
Uptown Sounds, brought to you by Uptown Business Association
Ed Waaka
Sojourn
The BackChat
Pluto
SUSO Artists

Lloyd Elsmore Park, Pakuranga – Sunday 23 February
The Hits Kiwi Anthems
The Feelers
Jason Kerrison
AutoMatic 80s
Anika Moa

Henderson Park – Saturday 29 February
Radio Hauraki Rock Royale
Bleeders
City of Souls
Racing
She Loves You
SUSO Artist

Walmsley Park, Mt Roskill – Sunday 1 March
Fresh Takes
Unchained XL
Sleepwalk Skeletons
Triplean

Manly Beach Reserve – Saturday 7 March
Groove at the Beach
Alae
Kong Fooey
Ben and Brody

Auckland Domain Rotunda – Sunday 8 March
Jazz at the Rotunda
Steve Thomas Electronic
Auckland City Scoundrels
Miho Wada

Hayman Park, Manukau – Saturday 14 March
Flava Urban Beats
P-Money
David Dallas
Kings
Emily Muni
Lepani

Jack Pringle Library Green, Te Atatu – Friday 20 March
Music & Food
Otium
Leighton Fairlie
SUSO Artist

Hobsonville Point Park – Saturday 21 March
A Little Bit of Everything
Danny McCrum
Spawts
Violet Highway

Auckland Domain Rotunda – Sunday 29 March
Love Songs from the Underground
The Hallelujah Picassos
Carb on Carb
Lucky Boy

Maybury Reserve, Glen Innes  – Saturday 11 April
Party in the Park
Three Houses Down with General Fiyah
Te Oro artists
Groove House

Myers Park, Auckland Central
Myers Park Medley (Acts TBC)

Falls Park, Henderson
Brass at the Falls (Acts TBC)

Nathan Homestead, Manurewa
Jazz at Nathan Homestead (Acts TBC)