Rodriguez to play Villa Maria Winery in February
/Rodriguez is returning to New Zealand playing the iconic Villa Maria Winery next February.
The legendary singer-songwriter and self-taught guitarist will bring his iconic blend of folk and psychedelic rock to our shores for a one off show. Adding to the excitement, local legends Dave Dobbyn, The Topp Twins and The Eastern will open the show.
Rodriguez has had strong ties to New Zealand ever since his music gained airplay locally in the mid-1970s, long before the rest of the world caught onto his talent thanks to Malik Bendjelloul’s Oscar-winning film Searching for Sugar Man. He first toured Australasia in the late 1970s and later returned to New Zealand in 2013 and 2014.
The Searching for Sugar Man documentary follows Rodriguez’s celebrated history that began in the bars and clubs around Detroit in the 1960s. Drawing inspiration from the city’s post-industrial urban decay, Rodriguez recorded and released albums Cold Fact (1969) and Coming From Reality (1971), which produced hit songs ‘Sugar Man’, ‘I Wonder’ and ‘Cause’. These releases went largely unnoticed in the United States, despite Cold Fact peaking at 20 in the NZ Top 40 Charts.
Thanks to bootleg recordings and word of mouth, Cold Fact found its way to South Africa where its counter-culture lyrics resonated with the country’s politically-alienated youth. Without a telephone and working factory and construction jobs to support his family, Rodriguez remained oblivious to the fact that he was bigger than Elvis in South Africa.
Nearly five decades after the release of his debut, Rodriguez’s incredible vocal and musical skill is finally being heard by audiences throughout Europe, the United Kingdom and North America, including festival audiences at Glastonbury and Coachella.
Dave Dobbyn
With twelve Top Ten albums under his belt three of which are certified platinum and double platinum, eight New Zealand Top 10 Singles, 22 New Zealand Music Awards, a record three Silver Scroll Awards not to mention a Lifetime Achievement Award and a spot in the NZ Music Hall of Fame, Dave Dobbyn needs no introduction. Easily one of New Zealand’s most respected, loved and revered song writers, Dobbyn has written the soundtrack to many Kiwi lives. He is considered a national treasure with a string of hits including ‘Loyal’, ‘Whaling’, ‘Slice of Heaven’, and ‘Welcome Home’ just to name a few. These songs are synonymous with good times and come February, this will be no exception when they come alive on the Villa Maria stage.
The Topp Twins
Jools and Lynda Topp, the twins behind many a comedy duo, have been performing their unique brand of acoustic country for more than 30 years. With nine albums, a successful TV Series, and a feature documentary to their name, it is no wonder the twins are well loved by New Zealanders.
They were inducted into The NZ Music Hall Of Fame in 2008 recognising the influence their songs have had on New Zealand culture since the early 1980s.
Having just this year being honoured with a Damehood, The Topps Twins will bring their much loved songs and personalities to Villa next February.
The Eastern
Hailing from Lyttelton, The Eastern will kick off proceedings this coming February. A string band that roars like a punk band, swings like a gospel band and drinks like a country band, they have developed a reputation as New Zealand’s hardest working troubadours. With four albums and over 1000 shows under their belts, they have won many a heart along the way. Their 2012 album Hope and Wire reached Gold status in New Zealand, with the song ‘State Houses By The River’ a finalist in the prestigious APRA Silver Scroll Awards. A perfect way to kick off what will surely be the show of the Summer.
Villa Maria Winery
The jewel in the New Zealand vineyard crown, Villa Maria will play host to this incredible line-up of musicians this Summer. Situated on an ancient volcanic crater, the natural amphitheatre and sprawling green grass is a stunning environment to see these extraordinary artists play from late afternoon and into the Summer evening this coming February.
Villa Maria Winery is an all-ages venue, and as a special offer to families, one child under 12 is welcome free per a ticketed adult.
RODRIGUEZ with special guests; Dave Dobbyn, The Topp Twins & The Eastern
Saturday 2 February
Villa Maria Winery | Auckland, NZ
All Ages
ticketmaster.co.nz | Ph: 0800 111 999
FRONTIER MEMBERS PRE-SALE
via frontiertouring.com/rodriguez
Begins: Wednesday 1 August (4pm NZST)
Ends: Thursday 2 August (4pm NZST)
or until pre-sale allocation exhausted
GENERAL PUBLIC ON SALE
Begins: Tuesday 7 August (12noon local NZ)