Roots legend Pokey is coming to town

MASTER: American roots genre master Pokey LaFarge and his band play King Street Live in Masterton on March 21 as part of his first tour of New Zealand. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Internationally renowned country, swing and bluesman Pokey LaFarge is to stage a one-off Wairarapa performance as part of his debut New Zealand tour.

Promoter Mark Rogers said LaFarge, who will play at King Street Live in Masterton on March 21, is a bona fide global luminary playing out of St Louis, Missouri, who is a past master of the American roots genre.

LaFarge, who was signed to Third Man Records by label boss Jack White, has been touring since last year with a five-piece band that includes bass-player Joey Glynn, guitarist Adam Hoskins, Ryan Koenig on harmonica, washboard and snare drum, TJ Muller on cornet and trombone and Chloe Feoranzo on clarinet and saxophone.

The Wairarapa date is part of an Australasian tour and LaFarge's first foray to New Zealand that will include two shows at Womad "as well as a steamy night of country, blues and swing at King Street Live", Rogers said.

"He's played with acts such as Jack White, The Raconteurs, Wanda Jackson and Old Crow Medicine Show and was described by UK rock mag Mojo as 'the performer who's ahead of the game right now'."

Rogers said LaFarge's songs have featured on television show Boardwalk Empire and the man and his band have appeared on top-rated television chat shows like David Letterman and Later With Jools Holland.

"It's not too often that we have a genuine star from the States playing here so this is a big coup for Wairarapa to get Pokey and his band to perform at King Street Live as part of their first ever tour of New Zealand," Rogers said.

"Alan Maxwell at the venue was telling me that his phone's been ringing off the hook with people asking if they're really coming to town as they're a huge draw in the States and Europe right now."

Rogers said Pokey LaFarge and his band perform "in front of thousands of people every night" and as regulars on the television chat show circuit "it looks like the word has spread to New Zealand".

"It took some serious string-pulling to get Pokey here as he only planned to do the Womad festival and a few club shows in Auckland and Wellington.

"So I just hope locals head out to see him."

Tickets to Pokey LaFarge at King Street Live on March 21 cost $33 each and are available online at dashtickets.co.nz