Phil Collins secured after 'years' of trying

James Erskine from SEL Entertainment (left) and Mission Estate Winery CEO Peter Holley get excited over today's news that Phil Collins will play at next year's concert. Photo Paul Taylor

James Erskine from SEL Entertainment admits promoters had been trying for "many years" to secure Phil Collins for the Mission Concert.

Erskine spoke at a breakfast launch at Mission Estate Winery this morning on the heels of the announcement that the 80's British icon would star at next year's concert on Waitangi Day, Wednesday, February 6.

"The Mission has got a life of its own and I think with a lot of the big acts that have come here the word has got out," he said.

"One has to be a bit careful because you can't get acts like Phil Collins and the Dixie Chicks and Neil diamond unless they are on a world tour and Napier, although it is one of the most beautiful places in the world it certainly is not the centre of the universe, so it gets a bit more difficult."

"We are lucky in the sense that our strike rate has been so good in the 26 years."

Mission Estate Winery CEO Peter Holley was also at the estate this morning and said the "tour put together has all the big hits over the decades."

While they had been in talks with the Collins team for a while, it was secured only late last week.

"We have always viewed this as a strong community-based event. I think this is an opportunity for a good midweek break."

Yesterday he said large events were becoming more frequent during weekdays.

"We're seeing cricket events held on weekdays when they were usually held at weekends.
"International performers are also appearing in the middle of the week at Vector Arena in Auckland, so I think these things are becoming seven-day events, rather than just weekends."