Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals put on a pleasing performance at Church Road winery. Photo Warren Buckland
Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals put on a pleasing performance at Church Road winery. Photo Warren Buckland
Nestled at the rear of Church Road Winery beneath Sugar Loaf and a view of vineyards, Ben Harper and The Innocent Criminals put on a show to please.
After having been announced as the Mission Concert act for this year, only to be postponed and undergo a venue change, theconcert's new pre-Christmas time slot was welcomed with the sun playing peek-a-boo through clouds and a fresh breeze making it a pleasant Saturday evening.
New Zealand's own Miller Yule, who was the supporting act with his five-piece band, was a treat to start as punters trickled in to find their posse making for a casual and comfortable atmosphere.
People sat on blankets and low chairs, some devoured picnics and many made the most of local fare on-sale at stalls, washed down with Church Road vintage.
The sun set behind the Puketapu hills as Miller Yule drew to a close, the bright lights came on and the stage - and atmosphere - was transformed.
Many concertgoers left their cosy spots to cram near the front of the stage in a charged and energetic area, but those who wished for the quieter night still got a great view from their hand-picked spots.
The familiar tune of classics like Steal My Kisses and Diamonds On The Inside were definite crowd-pleasers and were intermingled with lengthy instrumental interludes and new music from the band's first album in eight years, Call It What It Is, which was released earlier this year.
Drawing the eye away from The Innocent Criminal's percussionist Leon Mobley, was a task - watching him slap his palms on drums, the congas, bongos, and djembe, was as impressive to watch as it was to hear.
Cascading into a stellar line up of talented musicians across the stage, bassist Juan Nelson, drummer Oliver Charles, guitarist Michael Ward and keyboardist Jason Yates gelled seamlessly with Ben Harper, showing no sign of their previous separation.
Despite a busy stage, one wouldn't have been fooled into mistaking who the man himself was - even when he was bent over his instruments. The top of one of his signature hats, which he's seen wearing in most of his album covers, stood out and rang true to the Ben Harper style his fans crave.
