Some of the region’s emerging talent shared the stage with musical royalty at a unique creative industries event in Auckland today.
Legendary musicians Sir Bob Geldof and Mick Fleetwood led an interactive session with a group of 15 budding musicians from half a dozen schools at Roundhead Studio in Newton, the musical home of New Zealand’s own Neil Finn when he’s not on stage with Fleetwood Mac.
Award-winning New Zealand singer and songwriter Anna Coddington and chart-topping artist KINGS also shared their knowledge with the young group during the session.
This opportunity was facilitated by Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) on behalf of Auckland Council, Auckland UNESCO City of Music and
Play it Strange, a charity set up to provide pathways to creativity through song writing, recording and performance.
Auckland Mayor Phil Goff, who attended today’s event, says: “What an exciting opportunity for some of Auckland’s talented young musicians to spend time with two legendary musicians.”
“To have artists of this calibre share their stories and knowledge in such a personal way is really special and something these young people will remember for life.
“I’m a huge Fleetwood Mac fan and having them in Auckland, and at today’s event, is a reflection of Auckland’s status as a UNESCO City of Music – a city known globally for its distinctive sound.”
Today’s creative workshop provided the young musicians the chance to showcase their song writing and musical talent.
ATEED General Manager Economic Development Pam Ford says the workshop provided the students the chance to get creative insights from the industry’s best.
“The creative industries are a major employer for Auckland and we want to continue to support their growth in our region. Today’s event brought together up-and-coming talent and some of the best in the business who have turned music into a career.”
Mark Roach, Project Leader of Auckland UNESCO City of Music, says today’s opportunity extends beyond the studio.
“Having these international musical icons and local luminaries impart their knowledge and experience is an incredible opportunity. These young students will remember this day for years to come. It reinforces Tāmaki Makaurau’s position as a musical destination, and place where talent thrives, a true global City of Music.”
NOTES TO EDITOR
Photo caption
From left to right: Mick Fleetwood and Sir Bob Geldof listen to Sophie Brown of Epsom Girls Grammar School.
Sir Bob Geldof and Mick Fleetwood are the main attractions at the one-off Jaguar Playing it Strange, Geldof v Fleetwood fundraising event at the Vodafone Events Centre in Manukau tonight, Monday, 23 September. The event will see the music icons take part in an interactive discussion moderated by former Split Enz member, Mike Chunn, followed by a full concert set. General admission tickets are still available for purchase at Eventfinda or at the door.
About the creative industries
From film and television production, animation and gaming to virtual reality and urban design, it’s all part of Auckland’s screen and creative sector. The creative industries employ more than 53,000 people in almost 15,000 businesses and generate approximately $4.7-billion in GDP for Auckland.
About Auckland UNESCO City of Music
The UNESCO designation acknowledges Auckland’s long and rich musical history and its commitment to being a music-friendly city, promoting local creativity, and strengthening Aucklanders’ participation in cultural life.
About Play it Strange
Established in 2003, Play It Strange exists to provide pathways of creativity through songwriting - also the recording, performance and celebration of those songs. A number of programmes and competitions are in place to achieve these goals, including songwriting competitions from where those judged as finalists get to record their songs in professional studios to be released on a digital album.
Anna Coddington
Anna Coddington’s third album Luck/Time was released in 2016 to critical acclaim, following on from her 2011 sophomore album Cat and Bird. Luck/Time is the culmination of five years of songwriting and many hours in the recording studio. Anna is known for her powerful live performances and for being one of industry’s prolific and unique songwriters, leading to her nomination as a finalist for the prestigious Silver Scroll Songwriting Award. She has wowed audiences in shows such as Dust to Dusky, ALCHEMY, Marley NZ Allstars and Bjørk tribute All is Full. She is a regular contributor with Fly My Pretties and has performed at Aotearoa’s top music and arts festivals.
KINGS
New Zealand born producer, rapper, singer, songwriter, KINGS (Kingdon Chapple-Wilson) burst onto the music scene in 2016 with the release of his debut single Don’t Worry ‘Bout It’. The track surpassed the record for longest No 1 on the New Zealand Singles Chart that year, spending 33 consecutive weeks at the top. Don’t Worry ‘Bout It’ went on to sell double platinum, has had over 8 million streams and 1.5 million video views, and took home the Highest Selling New Zealand Single and ‘Radio Airplay Record of the Year’ awards at the 2017 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards. In late 2017, KINGS released his debut album Chapter One. Featuring the hits We’ll Never Know, Domino’ and In The Sun, the album has clocked up over 3 million streams across its 13 tracks. His second album Two followed in early 2018. In less than six months the album clocked up over 3.5 million streams and seen KINGS receive an APRA Silver Scroll Award finalist nomination for ‘Temporary Me’.
About Tui Music Series
The Recorded Music NZ Tui Music Series 2019 is a combination of free public seminars and paid masterclasses, centred around the three studio disciplines applicable to the VNZMA Artisan Awards - sound production, design and film making. Its main function is to support industry education and career development and culminates in the New Zealand Music Awards® in mid-November.