Crowd gets taste of Neil Diamond at Napier Rocks concert

Opshop frontman Jason Kerrison rocked a thousand-strong crowd at a free concert held at The Soundshell on Saturday night. Photo/Paul Taylor.

Neil Diamond fans got a taste of what might have been at the weekend as Opshop singer Jason Kerrison rocked a number of covers at The Soundshell in Napier.

Napier City Council event manager Kevin Murphy said the free Napier Rocks concert drew around 1000 people despite the gloomy weather.

"People were coming and going during the day. The weather certainly affected things which was disappointing but at the end of the day it was understandable because it was quite cold and we had showers coming through."

Mr Kerrison, supported by Shane Cortese and the 8-Track Band, was the true star of the show, organised by the council and Hawke's Bay Tourism following the cancellation of Neil Diamond's Mission Concert.

"The people that turned up would have really enjoyed it, especially Jason Kerrison he's just such a great performer. It's just really good to have him back doing what he does and hopefully we'll see more of him in the future because he's such a talent," Mr Murphy said.

"It was great putting it on and everyone involved was really pleased with how the day went. We seemed to get through the complication of having a cruise ship and people were understanding with road closures so we're rapt."

Those in the crowd who would have otherwise been at The Mission Concert had it not been cancelled were treated to a taste of Diamond at the show, he said.

"Jason sang some Neil Diamond songs which went down particularly well for those there that missed The Mission Concert.

"He just delivered such a great set of songs. He was very cool. He made a point of singing a few to give some Neil Diamond fans a taste."

While the concert incorporated the music legend's flair it was never intended to replace The Mission Concert, which would have been held on Saturday night, he said.

"Of course a lot of those people that came into the region could well have been out doing wineries and lunches and might have come and had a look if they were staying in town.

"You were never going to get everyone, it was not going to appeal to all Mission goers but at the end of the day it was just an offering to have something happening in town, having some entertainment on offer."

Mr Murphy said a personal highlight for him was the street entertainment held earlier in the evening.

"It was fantastic seeing the reactions of the kids for the bubble man we had there and also basketball Jones and the dance crew who did their thing. That early part of the day with kids enjoying what they had available as entertainment was great."