Classic Hits Winery Tour 2012 with Gin Wigmore, Muttonbirds

27 October, 2011

Civic Events Presents: The Classic Hits Winery Tour 2012 Featuring Gin Wigmore, The Mutton Birds & Avalanche City

The sassy and supremely talented Gin Wigmore will headline the 2012 Classic Hits Winery Tour, along with reformed legends The Mutton Birds & talented newcomers, Avalanche City, who round out the three band bill.

Now in its sixth year, and with a brand new presenting sponsor, the Classic Hits Winery Tour (formerly the More FM Winery Tour) is a firmly established and much loved national touring event showcasing the best of Kiwi music. In 2012 it will include 16 shows in 14 venues nationwide including Auckland, Matakana Tutukaka, Tauranga, Gisborne, Havelock North, Martinborough, New Plymouth, Hamilton, Upper Motuere (Nelson) Waipara (Christchurch) Dunedin and Cromwell.

Gin, recently back from the USA where she recorded her sophomore album, Gravel & Wine (released 7 November), has enjoyed massive success since the release of her EP Extended Play, followed by the multi-platinum debut album Holy Smoke, scooping four Tui Awards in last year’s NZ Music Awards and massive airplay success with I Do, Oh My, Under My Skin and the just released Black Sheep.

Says Gin about joining the Winery Tour:

“I grew up as a big fan of Don and The Mutton Birds so I’m excited to be on tour with them. And Avalanche City are so hot right now. It's a great bill. We’re on the road for a month in Summer and I can’t wait to play in some of New Zealand’s most spectacular outdoor settings and drink a few glasses of wine on this legendary tour!”

The Mutton Birds join the Winery Tour celebrating not one, but two milestones; 2012 marks 20 years since the release of the band’s self titled debut album and 10 years since their last show. With timeless Kiwi anthems that transcend generations like Anchor Me, Dominion Road and Nature, Don McGlashan, Ross Burge, David Long and Alan Gregg are reuniting just for the Winery Tour.

Says McGlashan, “I’m looking forward to getting together with the guys. A band is more than just a bunch of musicians. When it really works, there's a magic there which is more than the sum of its parts. That's certainly the way it was with the Mutton Birds, and it's going to be great to take the beast out of the garage again and make the gravel fly."

Avalanche City completes the 100% Kiwi bill as the new kids on the block. Winners of the coveted APRA Silver Scroll Award this year for hit single Love Love Love and fresh from showcase tours of Japan, Australia, USA and London, the band is rocking up the charts and winning hearts all over the globe.

Says Avalanche City’s Dave Baxter “I’ve always wanted to play on the Winery Tour and it’s so cool to be playing alongside Gin and The Mutton Birds, they’re Kiwi legends. I’m bringing my six piece band with me – it’s going to be awesome”.

Co-promoter Brent Eccles says the Tour promises to be one of the best yet:

“Summer just wouldn't be Summer without The Winery Tour and we look forward to welcoming back all who love coming to this tour every year. This year we have another strong New Zealand line-up reminding us all of the depth of NZ talent, long may it be!”

The Winery Tour kicks off with its 78th show at Ascension Wine Estate in Matakana on Friday 3rd February and concludes at Villa Maria Estate in Auckland on Saturday 3rd March.

Tickets (and bus/ticket packages) go on sale on Monday 07 November with an Early Bird offer of $59 plus booking fee (ticket only) for the month of November, increasing to $69 plus booking fee from 01 December.

Tickets can be purchased via the Winery Tour website www.winerytour.co.nz and Ticketmaster. For the Blenheim, Dunedin & Cromwell shows, tickets can be purchased via Winery Tour website, Ticketmaster and Ticket Direct.

One child under the age of 12 will be given free admittance when accompanied by one adult ticket holder.

Dates:
Friday 3 February: Matakana— Ascension Wine Estate
Saturday 4 February: Matakana— Ascension Wine Estate
Sunday 5 February: Tutukaka— Tutukaka, Marina Reserve
Friday 10 February: Tauranga— Wharepai Domain
Saturday 11 February: Gisborne— Brunton Road
Sunday 12 February: Havelock North— Black Barn Vineyards
Thursday 16 & 17 February: Upper Moutere— Neudorf Vineyards
Saturday 18 February: Waipara— The Mud House Winery & Café
Sunday 19 February: Dunedin— Logan Park
Tuesday 21 February: Cromwell— Olssen’s Vineyard
Thursday 23 February: Blenheim— Villa Maria Estate
Saturday 25 February: Martinborough— Alana Estate
Sunday 26 February: New Plymouth— Sentry Hill Estate
Friday 2 March: Hamilton— Vilagrad Winery
Saturday 3 March: Auckland— Villa Maria Estate

ENDS