Band to get big chance at park event

Christmas in the Park organiser David Trim believes in giving young local artists an opportunity to appear. Photo / Duncan Brown

Showcasing local talent and building strong community spirit is what the Cox Partners' Christmas at the Park is all about.

It is not often local bands or groups get the opportunity to play in front of an audience of up to 20,000 people but event organiser David Trim believes the best way for local stars to grow is by allowing them to experience life on the big stage.

Mr Trim has given the opportunity to Havelock North High School band Super Cone Destroyer to perform at the concert, after they won the annual Hawke's Bay Rockquest competition in June this year.

The group are a five-piece band formed around bass player Tom Hosford and lead guitarist Campbell Hay, who joined forces in their first year at Havelock High.

The other members are drummer Hugh McKendry, rhythm guitarist Jake O'Herlihy and keyboardist Eddie Roberts.

Mr Hosford said they were excited to perform at the concert and the group felt privileged to be asked to play at such a big event.

The band will perform a variety of their original songs, as well as a rendition of Christmas song Fairytale of New York by The Pogues.

The event is the group's greatest chance to play in front of a crowd of 15,000-20,000 people, as this performance may be one of their last together.

Most of the members are 18 years of age and going their separate ways at the beginning of next year.

Mr Hosford said they would take the opportunity, go with it and have the best time they possibly could.

This year's Cox Partners' Christmas at the Park appears to be more jam-packed than ever with exciting local talent, showcased alongside headlining act Jackie Thomas.

It is now the biggest concert in Hawke's Bay and Mr Trim believes that, as long as the community spirit keeps on growing, the concert will be here to stay for a while yet.

-Don't miss the opportunity to celebrate the festivities of Christmas as a community, while supporting the local talent that the event has to offer. You can catch all the action at Anderson Park in Napier on Saturday, December 13, between 3-9.30pm. Admission to the event is free.