In a world premiere Auckland Arts Festival event, on 9 and 10 March, four of New Zealand’s most respected musical revolutionaries will examine the poetry, politics and relationships that have spun the wheels, and turntables, of generations.
 
In Revolutions, playing at the Festival’s famous Spiegeltent, Moana Maniapoto, Warren Maxwell, Rob Ruha and Jon Toogood will perform an intimate, acoustic set, uniting their music, stories, passions and experiences. All four singers are strong in their beliefs of a sense of place, the possibility of change through advocacy, and of their deep connection to New Zealand.
 
The night will see original music performed alongside old favourites, reminding us of the unfaltering power and potency of song. With no backing band, and in the cosy surrounds of the Spiegeltent, Revolutions is Maniapoto, Maxwell, Ruha and Toogood at their most up-close-and-personal. 
 
Jon Toogood is best known as the frontman of one of New Zealand’s most enduring rock bands. Shihad have produced an impressive number of award-winning studio albums with a string of hits, many of which have achieved anthemic status. In recent years, as a side-project to Shihad, Toogood has struck out on his own, rediscovering his voice, and carving out a new vocation as a solo performer. This is a solid opportunity to experience Toogood as few as seen him.
 
Winner of the 2016 Silver Scroll Lifetime Achievement Award, Moana Maniapoto is a powerful political activist, who uses her music to blend the best of contemporary and traditional styles. From Moana and the Moahunters to Moana and the Tribe, and with endless accolades and awards along the way, Maniapoto is still at the forefront of New Zealand’s soul/funk scene.
 
Musician, composer and teacher Warren Maxwell is the driving force behind some of New Zealand’s most loved bands including Fat Freddy’s Drop, Trinity Roots and Little Bushman. As a multi-instrumentalist and long-time collaborator, Maxwell has incorporated his jazz training with reggae, blues, roots and soul, with recent projects being theatre sound design and film scores.
 
2014 was a big year for Rob Ruha, winning three Waiata Māori Music Awards, a APRA Maioha Award, and topped off with the NZ Music Awards’ Best Māori Album of the Year. Most often backed by the Black Quartet, Ruha is one of New Zealand’s most powerful Haka Soul musicians.

Revolutions

Thursday March 9th & Friday March 10th:  Spiegeltent, Festival Garden, Aotea Square, Auckland

Tickets via Ticketmaster