Doobie Brothers And Little River Band To Perform In NZ

Media release: 1 September 2011

Legendary International Rock Acts The Doobie Brothers And Little River Band To Perform In NZ

Renowned rock bands, the Doobie Brothers and Little River Band, have been confirmed to headline three concerts in New Zealand in early 2012.

As two of the most popular bands from the seventies and eighties, the Doobie Brothers and Little River Band have created a celebrated legacy, with millions of followers throughout the world – including New Zealand. Concerts have been confirmed in Taupo, Whitianga and Queenstown, on 4 February, 5 February (Waitangi weekend) and 11 February respectively.

Taupo Summer Concert Limited, and Alpine Entertainment Limited, director Amanda Calvert says the events are aimed at bringing quality international acts to Kiwi fans outside the traditional main city bases.

“For the most-part, the big acts that come to New Zealand tend to be staged in the big cities, so we really wanted to create musical events that are accessible to fans throughout the country, while also ticking all the boxes for an awesome day out.”

“These are three great outdoor venues that are not only located in stunning locations, but also provide an ideal space to showcase such high quality musical talent.”

“With only three concerts, tickets are likely to sell out quick, so we encourage fans to get in early to secure their tickets to such landmark musical events.”

An Australian band, formed in Melbourne in 1975, Little River Band received an early break into the American music market a year later, receiving significant airplay on radio stations throughout the U.S. They have since gone on to achieve international acclaim and chart success, with classics including ‘Cool Change’, ‘The Other Guy’, and ‘Take it Easy On Me’ – and are often considered to be one of Australia’s most significant bands.

With performances spanning the seventies and eighties until today, the Doobie Brothers too have enjoyed broad appeal, with hits such as ‘Listen to the Music’, ‘Long Train Runnin’’, and ‘What a Fool Believes’ and many many more. Now based in San Francisco, the band continues to entertain crowds on a hectic touring schedule – in 2010, the band played 116 shows, and are mid-way through a full slate this year.

The Taupo concert will be held on Saturday 4, February – the start of the Waitangi long weekend – at the region’s newest outdoor venue, the Taupo Amphitheatre. The second concert will be the next day, 5 February, at Waterways South Highway, on the Coromandel. The third and final concert to be held on Saturday, 11 February at Gibbston Valley Station – a new resort development, set alongside Gibbston Valley Winery.

Pre-release tickets for all concerts will be available from Wednesday, 7 September at the local i-Sites in each town (Queenstown tickets will be available at both Queenstown and Wanaka i-Sites, and Gibbston Valley Winery).

General release tickets will be available through Ticketek and i-SITEs from Monday, 12 September, priced at $89 per person. Children under 11 years of age are admitted free of charge when accompanied by a ticket holder. See www.ticketek.co.nz

At each concert, gates will open at 12-noon, with a New Zealand band to open at 1pm. Little River Band will commence at 3pm, and the Doobie Brothers will start at 5pm, with concerts to finish at 6.30pm.

A wide range of quality food, beer and wine will be on sale at each event. Concert-goers are also able to bring their own food and non-alcoholic beverages.

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