Alt-country goes country at Neudorf

Alt-country goes country at Neudorf

It promises to be a mellow evening under the oak trees at Neudorf Vineyards on Friday 8 February when alt-country favourite Marlon Williams double bills with Kiwi music veteran Don McGlashan in the last vineyard concert of the summer.

Music writer Grant Smithies describes Williams as ‘Aotearoa’s alt-country pin-up of choice’ and says while much is made of the singers elegant voice – he just likes looking at the guy:

“Tall, gangly, handsome, moving easily between goofy and sexy, he has an unusual level of physical magnetism, and this is likely to be the clincher for those drawn in initially by that voice only to discover an even richer package.”

Concert-goers next week will discover looks that have some describing the singer as a young Marlon Brando; plus the famous voice and lyrics that run the relationship range from anger to regret, and less often the more joyous aspects of boy-meets-girl.

Williams gained fame here and in the States after his recent cameo appearance with Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga in A Star Is Born. He sings a duet with American country singer Brandi Carlile, that had Cooper later declaring him a "rock star".

The Neudorf Concert is part of the Tūrangawaewae Tour, with 12 shows between Invercargill and Auckland. Williams is supported by his own band, the Yarra Benders; with the first part of the show delivered by veteran Kiwi muso Don McGlashan.

McGlashan’s career began with Blam Blam Blam in the early eighties, after a stint as a French Horn player with the Auckland Symphonia. Since then he’s performed with The Front Lawn, percussion ensemble From Scratch and with the Mutton Birds. Previous Neudorf concerts have seen the crowd up and dancing to hits like Dominion Road and Anchor Me.

Judy Finn of Neudorf Vineyards says the concert will have a more low-key vibe than the sell-out Fat Freddy’s Drop show earlier in January.

“This is a different tempo and will perhaps introduce some new audience members to the Neudorf concert experience,” she said. “We set up a little village of food trucks outside the cellar door and the concert stage on the front lawn – it’s about as intimate as an outdoor venue can get.”

Food on offer ranges from spare ribs to Kaikoura cheese cakes; and Neudorf wine, Peckham’s Cider and Hop Federation craft beer will be on sale.

Marlon Williams’ Tūrangawaewae Tour gig is at Neudorf Vineyard in Upper Moutere on Friday February 8. Gates open at 6pm.Tickets from the Cellar Door or from Ticketmaster.

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