Eru Dangerspiel Raises the Roof for Auckland Arts Festival

ERU DANGERSPIEL RAISES THE ROOF FOR AUCKLAND ARTS FESTIVAL OPENER

DATES: Thursday 8 March, 2018
LOCATION: Festival Playground, Silo Park, Wynyard Quarter

Auckland Arts Festival will officially open its superb new Festival Playground at Silo Park and launch the 2018 programme with a huge night of psychedelic funk, as only New Zealanders know how, on Thursday 8 March.

Award-winning performer and producer, Maestro Eru Dangerspiel – aka. Riki Gooch (Trinity Roots, Orchestra of Spheres) - will bring his creative genius and a massive super-group of musical mates to celebrate the 2018 Festival’s launch.

Inspired by the heavy disco of Hamilton Bohannon, Sun Ra and other early poly-futurist musical movements, the Eru Dangerspiel concert features a bottom-heavy, groove-based sound performed by a stellar line-up - Mara TK, Laughton Kora, Ria Hall, Anna Coddington, Mike Fabulous, Joe Lindsay, Jonathan Crayford, Chip Matthews, Julien Dyne, David Long, Toby Laing, Lewis McCallum, Brent Parks, Jeff Henderson, Ned Ngatae, Patrick Pihama, Submariner and Scott Towers.

Eru Dangerspiel is a monster event of legendary proportions. An epic, sold-out gig in Auckland Town Hall in 2009 is still remembered by fans and musicians – it left punters hankering for more and elicited ecstatic responses from many who cited it as the show of the year. Auckland Arts Festival Artistic Director Jonathan Bielski wanted to recreate that magic for his inaugural programme.

“Eru Dangerspiel is more than a festival gig. It’s a huge coming-together – a celebration – of exceptional and highly collaborative artists, each of whom embodies the best of New Zealand contemporary music. It’s something we do really well in this country – a group of brilliant musicians collaborating and playing terrific music together, and having an absolute blast,” Bielski says.

Gooch began his career as a founding member of seminal band Trinity Roots. He has since lent his drumming and production talents to legendary New Zealand artists, claiming his position as one of New Zealand’s finest and most in-demand collaborative musicians.

As well as being the brains behind the massive Eru Dangerspiel ensemble and a solo artist under the monikers Cave Circles and DJ Oboe, he is also a member of Orchestra of Spheres.

The Festival Playground, designed by Angus Muir, is the Auckland Arts Festival’s brand new precinct for music, art, food and whānau fun. The new Festival hub at Silo Park heralds a fresh chapter in the 15-year history of Auckland Arts Festival.

“In its short life, Silo Park and Wynyard Quarter have become a beloved Auckland hangout, synonymous with great food, music, entertainment and family events. We believe the space captures the celebratory spirit of the Festival, and Auckland’s enthusiasm for Summer and the outdoors, and wanted to see the Festival come to life down there in a much bigger way,” Bielski says.

“With Angus Muir’s playful design, a fantastic food and beverage offering, which is open to the public even if they’re not attending a show, and the mesmerising House of Mirrors which is fun for people of all ages, the Festival Playground will be unlike anything Auckland has experienced to date. And, thanks to Eru Dangerspiel and his enormous ensemble, on Thursday 8 March the doors will be well and truly flung open.”

Tickets are on sale now at www.aaf.co.nz/erudangerspiel.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS IN 25 WORDS OR LESS (ISH)
Anna Coddington
“Enchanting”, “grunty” and ambidextrous singer-songwriter from Raglan. Has two Masters degrees, a Black Belt in Karate and three albums. Side Project is CLICKS with DJ Dick Johnson.
Brent Parks
Producer, beat maker, Modular Synthesis genius, DJ and music director behind Ladi6.
Chip Matthews
DJ, Bass player, Dad and former Base FM presenter. Original member of Che Fu and The Crates.
David Long
Musician and composer who has worked on all Peter Jackson’s films of the last decade. Also founding member of The Mutton Birds and award-winning producer.
Joe Lindsay
Charismatic and flamboyant trombonist for Fat Freddy’s Drop, The Utes and Weird Together.
Jonathan Crayford
Prolific New Zealand composer, performer and pianist. Has spent over 20 years honing his craft overseas, written a film/opera and recorded many albums.
Julien Dyne
Multi-talented drummer, producer, DJ and visual artist. Has performed/recorded with Ladi6, Fat Freddy’s Drop, Sola Rosa, Christoph El Truento, She’s So Rad among others.

Laughton Kora
One of four brothers in the band Kora, acted in Coverband and is regularly asked to perform in musicals and concerts.
Lewis McCallum
One of NZ’s most exciting young jazz musicians. Won Best Saxophonist and Best Young Jazz Musician at NZ Jazz Festival. Has performed with Ray Charles and Manhattan Transfer among others.
Mara TK
Son of Māori psychedelic rock legend Billy TK. Multi-talented performer with a golden voice. Frontman of award-winning future soul trio Electric Wire Hustle.
Mike Fabulous
Producer and multi-instrumentalist aka. the legendary Lord Echo.
Ned Ngatae
Writer and guitarist for The Black Seeds. Also performed with Dimmer, Salmonella Dub and Anika Moa among others. Aka. DJ Killa Man Raro.
Patrick Pihama
Riki’s Uncle and OG muso from the era which inspired Eru Dangerspiel. *The secret ingredient*
Ria Hall
Vocal powerhouse. No nonsense, badass artist. Creatively informed by west coast hip-hop, vintage reggae, classic soul, dancehall ragga and modern beat music.
Scott Towers
Sizzling saxophonist for Fat Freddy’s Drop. Aka. Chopper Reeds.

SHOW INFO
DATE 8.00pm, Thursday 8 March, 2018
TICKETS www.aaf.co.nz/erudangerspiel

LOCATION Music Arena, Festival Playground, Silo Park
IMPORTANT INFO Eru Dangerspiel is a rain or shine, outdoor event.
FOLLOW @aklfestival | #aklfest
ABOUT THE AAF Taking place annually in March, the Auckland Arts Festival is a globally recognised event that celebrates people and culture, and showcases the unrivalled location, cultural diversity and vibrant energy of New Zealand’s largest city.

Over 1.7 million people have attended the event to date.

Auckland Arts Festival is administered by the Auckland Festival Trust. Trustees are John Judge (Chair), Rick Carlyon, Angela Clatworthy, Evan Davies, Sarah Judkins, Tarun Kanji, Margaret Kāwharu MNZM, Jim Moser and Fred Ward.

The executive team includes Chief Executive David Inns and Artistic Director Jonathan Bielski.

The Trust receives core funding from Auckland Council through the Auckland Regional Amenities Funding Act, and Creative New Zealand through the Toi Tōtara Haemata programme.

Significant support for AAF 2018 is received from Foundation North, Pub Charity, NZ Community Trust, Four Winds Foundation and The Lion Foundation.

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