Summer Concert Tour rocks the central North Island

SOLD OUT: The annual Summer Concert Tour saw 15,000 fans witness international acts Colin Hay of Men At Work fame, Alanis Morissette and The Orchestra at the Taupo Amphitheatre. PHOTO/Supplied.

International artists descended upon the Taupo Amphitheatre on Saturday, performing to a sold out crowd of 15,000 people.

The annual Summer Concert Tour saw Colin Hay of Men At Work, Alanis Morissette and The Orchestra starring former members of Electric Light Orchestra as they played the second of three shows in the tour.

This year organisers provided the opportunity for New Zealand artists to perform to audiences of this scale.

For the first time a fourth international act was added to this year's Summer Concert Tour line up. Nashville based Fairground Saints brought their unique California country sound to the Taupo concert-goers.

With the picturesque backdrop of the Waikato River, Colin Hay of Men At Work fame was next to take to stage early afternoon and wowed concert-goers with songs including Who Can It Be Now, Down Under and Be Good Johnny.

Next up was Alanis Morissette. Touring New Zealand for the first time in 20 years, she captured the audience mid-afternoon with hits from her number-1 selling album, Jagged Little Pill, getting the crowd singing along to the likes of You Oughta Know, Hand In My Pocket and Ironic.

The Orchestra, starring former members of Electric Light Orchestra, performing their incredible stable of ELO hits such as Mr Blue Sky, Evil Woman, Livin' Thing, Telephone Line and Sweet Talkin' Woman, promised an amazing end to the day that brought everyone to their feet.

Amanda Calvert, CEO of Greenstone Entertainment said "two Saturdays and two sell-out shows, we can't thank all the fans enough for coming along to support these fantastic artists who make the long journey to New Zealand to share their first class talent with us all".

"We now move on to the final sold out show of the tour in the amazing Whitianga."

"This year's line-up has proved to be hugely popular with all three concerts in the tour selling out only a month after going on sale last year."