AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL MEDIA RELEASE

27 March 2006

Record turnout for Music in Parks concerts

Auckland City's 2006 Music in Parks summer series has been a big hit with music fans of all generations, with the 33 free concerts attracting a record total crowd of 67,350 people, up from 56,950 last year.

The January until March Music in Parks series has been running for over 10 years, and brings performances to city and suburban parks like the Auckland Domain, Mt Eden's Tahaki Reserve and Waiheke's Onetangi Sports Park.

The popular Montana Jazz at the Rotunda and Drake Concert Series, held weekly at the Auckland Domain Band Rotunda, continued to hit the right chords with music lovers attracting 13,900 attendees over the three months. Highlights included performances from The Alibis, The Rodger Fox Big Band, Doch, Four Sisters, The Phonic Collective and The Vintage Jazz Band.

Rock the Park doubled in size from last year, with 9,500 people turning out to Three Kings Reserve on 19 February to see top rock from Pluto, Elemeno P, The Feelers and international guests Thirsty Merc.

Another hit this year was the introduction of the Sounds of Summer concerts at Mission Bay's Selwyn Reserve. A crowd of 4,500 relaxed in the sun to tunes from Goldenhorse and Batucada Sound Machine on 7 January, while 3,000 enjoyed the Latin flavoured concert on 4 March, which included Kantuta, DJ Loco, a Latin Fever dance show and a free salsa lesson that got the crowd on their feet.

The 60s, 70s and 80s were revisited by thousands at Mt Eden's Tahaki Reserve with popular performances by Shane and the Saints, Celine Toner, Tom Sharplin, Hello Sailor, Debbie Harwood, Club Nerd and Jordan Luck.

Dancing in the Street also attracted large crowds to Lorne Street where Pluto, Bored Gordon, The Vacants, The Electric Confectionaires, Concord Dawn, Baitercell and Bex Riley, Havoc and Nick D all took to the stage. The third event was cancelled because of it outgrowing the current Lorne Street location.

Other highlights of the 2006 Music in Parks series included an afternoon of chilled out sounds in Myers Park, a trip back in time with the Nostalgia Concert at Alberton House, Waiheke's Little Day In at Onetangi Sports Park, and a great afternoon of free live entertainment at The Edge Jam in the Park which featured Steriogram, Nesian Mystik, Goodnight Nurse and My Life Story.

Music in Parks also gave support to three events that took place on Great Barrier Island - the New Year's Eve Celebrations, the New Year's Day Picnic and the Great FitzRoy Mussel Fest.

Music in Parks is produced by Auckland City, with support from Radioworks. The concerts are just some of more than 60 free events provided by Auckland City as part of the Ak@Play summer events programme.

ENDS

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