The Southgate Band's lead singer Emma Beaton will be performing as part of the Tauranga Arts Festival. Photo / Supplied
The Southgate Band's lead singer Emma Beaton will be performing as part of the Tauranga Arts Festival. Photo / Supplied
Andrew Laking gets to play tour guide to his fellow bandmates when they arrive in Tauranga this week.
Wellington-born Laking is the double bassist in The Southgate Band and is bringing the group to Tauranga to perform as part of the city's Arts Festival.
Laking has performed in Tauranga aspart of the festival before and said he was looking forward to sharing this Bay of Plenty experience with his bandmates.
The group will be performing at the Katikati Fairview Country Club tomorrow and at the TV Crystal Palace on Friday night.
Laking said he had taken part in the Tauranga Arts Festival with another band a couple of years ago and jumped at the opportunity to return with The Southgate Band.
He said he was also looking forward to playing in the Crystal Palace.
"It is always pretty special when you play in a venue which is custom-built for the event," he said. "The band is also staying in Papamoa for a few days and I'm looking forward to showing them the beach lifestyle here."
The Southgate Band is a collaboration of American and Irish musicians whose varied musical backgrounds combine to create a mix of traditional music styles.
They are led by singer Emma Beaton of the high-flying Boston based string band, Joy Kills Sorrow.
Fiddler Sean Regan and guitarist Colm O'Caoimh provide a strong Irish connection and the band is rounded out by double bassist Laking.
Standing out in front of the show, although rarely in the same spot for more than half a second, will be Nic Gariess, who has been named as one of the world's top step dancers.
