Top musicians team up for shows to support their own

One of the gigs will help the late Dave McArtney's family. Photo / Getty Images

Prominent local musicians are banding together for two charity shows.

One is to help the family of late Hello Sailor singer-guitarist Dave McArtney, the other to aid an ailing former member of the Exponents.

All Around This Town: A Tribute to Dave McArtney at Auckland's Powerstation on November 2 will feature his old band with a long list of his contemporaries offering their own take on McArtney's songs.

Dave Dobbyn, Shona Laing, Jordan Luck, Andrew Fagan, Peter Urlich and Hammond Gamble are among the many taking part, with Dobbyn also taking over McArtney's guitar duties in Hello Sailor. So too will the late songwriter's nephew Tim McArtney, as well as Johnny Lyon, the son of the band's other guitarist, Harry Lyon.

Dave McArtney's daughter Moana also features among the two dozen performers taking part.

On the Hello Sailor setlist will be a new song, Waiting Around the Bend, penned by frontman Graham Brazier in tribute.

The show will be MC-ed by Urlich and broadcaster Karyn Hay and will mark the posthumous release of McArtney's final solo album, Nomad's Land, completed shortly before his death this year.

The night will include an auction of musical memorabilia and art, including some of McArtney's guitars.

Two nights earlier, the same venue will host a fundraiser for terminally ill former Exponents guitarist Chris Sheehan, who is raising funds to record a final solo album. Sheehan joined the then Dance Exponents in 1983, helping toughen the pop-rock band's sound before they shifted to Britain in the mid-80s.

Staying on in England, Sheehan recorded and performed with his own outfit the Starlings, was a member of the Mutton Birds and played with long-time British goth group the Sisters of Mercy. He now runs an animal shelter in Spain with his wife.

A reunited Exponents will play at Shine On - The Chris Sheehan Fundraiser with special guests.

The two shows are the night before and after the Gluepot Reunion show at the Powerstation, featuring many of those participating in the benefits.

Tickets for the gigs go on sale via Ticketmaster on Friday, October 4.

- Staff reporter