Nelson grabs only South Island gig for UK’s Alabama 3

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Nelson grabs only South Island gig for UK’s Alabama 3

Major UK fusion act Alabama 3, famous for their song "Woke Up This Morning" which plays over the opening credits of the hit US TV series The Sopranos, are coming to New Zealand for four shows in March 2012 and have chosen Nelson’s annual craft beer and music festival, MarchFest, for their only South Island gig, on Sat March 24th.

Alabama 3 are The 4-piece version of the band, billed as Alabama 3 Acoustic and Unplugged, the line-up consists of Larry Love (vocals), Aurora Dawn (vocals), Rock Freebase (guitar), and Harpo Strangelove (harmonica).

The band, from Brixton in South London are famous for their fusion of country, gospel and delta blues in a mix that always gets audiences up dancing. With acclaimed performances this year headlining Cambridge Folk Festival and at SXSW in Texas, Alabama 3 Acoustic and Unplugged has a growing worldwide following and this will be their first tour of New Zealand.

Also on the bill is UK punk poet John Cooper Clarke, who rose to fame during the 1970s when he gigged with The Sex Pistols, Joy Division and other punk icons. More recently, Clarke has been the inspiration for many of the lyrics of the Arctic Monkeys’ main songwriter, Alex Turner.

The fifth Marchfest craft beer and music festival also rising Kiwi stars, The Drab Doo Riffs, the Auckland 5-piece fronted by ex-SuperGroover Karl Steven, music critic/DJ Grant Smithies, The Immigrants and The Ukes of Hazard.

Meanwhile on the beer and cider front, 14 of the region's craft brewers and cider makers will be making brand new brews for the event. As well as music and beer, MarchFest will be continuing its reputation as a family-friendly, sustainable festival with a full programme of kids activities like last year and more sustainable festival facilities such as beer tokens, solar-powered token kiosks, wind power and audience-driven pedal-power.

Earlybird tickets for MarchFest are $25 until Feb 29th and $35 after that date. They can be bought online at www.marchfest.com

BACKGROUND INFO

MarchFest has received sponsorship funding for this year’s event from the Nelson Events Marketing & Development Programme, which is funded by the Nelson City Council. The Programme’s objective is to stimulate Nelson City’s economy in the shoulder and off seasons by bringing new spending through visitors coming to Nelson for distinct events.

Breweries presenting a new brew especially for the event are Townshends, The Mussel Inn, Monkey Wizard, WestCoast Brewing, Dead Good Beer, Founders, Lighthouse, Golden Bear, Totara, Renaissance, Sprig and Fern, McCashin’s plus cider makers Peckham’s and Old Mout.

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