It's a merry Bay of Plenty Christmas for Midnight Youth frontman Jeremy Redmore, who is about to kick off a mammoth summer of touring.
The Tauranga Boys' College old boy has had a frantic year which has included a move to Sydney and a long stint at "band boot camp" as the band worked on its new album.
But the All On Our Own musicians are back on this side of the ditch for two Kiwi summer tours.
The first, with Australian legend Jimmy Barnes, is a five-date tour starting on Boxing Day at Brewers Field and also taking in Waihi Beach, Oakura, Mangawhai and Coroglen.
Then the band joins Brooke Fraser and Opshop for the More FM Winery Tour, which will perform at 19 venues, including Tauranga's Wharepai Domain on February 19.
The boys are hanging out to return home for a summer blast, after living most of the year in Sydney.
"We are so excited to come back and tour New Zealand over summer on two really good tours - especially the Winery Tour, as it's probably the biggest tour you can do in New Zealand," Redmore said.
Although it will be the first time Midnight Youth has played with Fraser, the 25-year-old has a long history with Opshop frontman Jason Kerrison.
"The band's played with Opshop a lot of times before, and I've known Jason for years and years - he was one of the guys that got me into the industry," he said.
"When I was at uni, he was playing covers in a pub in Auckland, and I used to go to watch him every week, and yell at him to play songs I liked at four in the morning. I got up on stage and sang a few songs with him now and then."
Now the bands are on equal footing as they play to large crowds on one of New Zealand's most loved tours.
The family picnic atmosphere of the Winery Tour will be in sharp contrast to the rock and roll tour with Jimmy Barnes, taking in pubs at a holiday hot spot near you.
Redmore's long been a fan of the Ocker Rocker, influenced by his older brother who was "really into" him.
"I don't think there's many people my age who have a big history with Jimmy Barnes.
"I'm really excited. I'm trying to coerce myself to get on stage to sing a song with him."
Revellers at both tours will have the chance to hear new songs from the band's next album, which will be released in 2011.
While the new music is not a departure from The Brave Don't Run, Redmore says it's "a bit more consistently rock and roll".
"We want to be seen as New Zealand's best rock band and release great rock.
"Unfortunately, there might be a few less wedding themes," he said, in reference to the popularity of their hit love song Golden Love.
"There still could be some soppy ones on there, but probably not that acoustic, they will be a bit more of a ballad.
"Overall, it's more of a rock and roll album, which will suit the things we're doing over summer."
All the new songs are designed to be performed live. The band writes "songs we imagine playing to Glastonbury".
"I think every band would love to play Glastonbury. It's a good dream to have."
Midnight Youth - Redmore, Simon Oscroft, Nick Campbell, Matt Warman and Aidan Bartlett - spent months holed up in a house working on the yet-to-be-named album.
They initially moved across the ditch to tour and release their debut album in Australia, but soon found the isolation conducive to writing music.
"We didn't really plan on it but we have been here longer than we thought, because it works so well being away from the distractions of girlfriends and home and a social life.
"Over here, we have got no social life at all - we are in band boot camp. It's been recording, playing, getting ready for summer."
Midnight Youth Fans who love the hits such as The Letter and Just For Once will be reassured that the band will play the favourites.
"We are not going to play all new songs; that's not what people want to hear.
"We will be chucking in a few crowd-pleasing new songs."
A bonus for Redmore is being able to come home for Christmas and spend a few days with his family, before the Barnes tour kicks off.
"I plan to hit the Mount for some ice cream and beach time, and do some fishing and swimming.
"I've got a whole bunch of friends back in town over summer, and my sister will be back for the Winery Tour show with a brand new baby."
All up, it sounds like a dream summer.
"We are excited about it, we can't wait - there's no better country to tour over summer than New Zealand.
"Everyone is just so in the mood for enjoying themselves. You get to go to tiny little places that pack out with people who want something to do. They come along to a pub that's all geared up for a show, and have a great night."
We have two double passes to give away to the More FM Winery Tour in Tauranga on February 19. To enter, email your name, address and phone number to:
competitions@bayofplentytimes.co.nz, with Winery Tour in the subject line.
Entries close December 28.
Boot camp delivers plenty of rock
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