Six60, are booked for Shed 530 Estate Winery at Puketapu on October 25. The band members are Ji Fraser (left), Matiu Walters, former Napier Boys' High School pupil Marlon Gerbes, and Chris Mac.
Six60, are booked for Shed 530 Estate Winery at Puketapu on October 25. The band members are Ji Fraser (left), Matiu Walters, former Napier Boys' High School pupil Marlon Gerbes, and Chris Mac.
One of Six60’s biggest hits is about not forgetting your roots.
Well, the band has certainly not forgotten Hawke’s Bay.
The band - which includes former Napier Boys’ High School pupil Marlon Gerbes - was set to play a show at Shed 530 in Puketapu in February.
Shed 530 Estate Winery spokesman Hamish Gordon, Six60 publicist Heidi Ettema, and Hastings District Council (HDC) said at the time the postponement was largely due to the need for upgrades to the cyclone-stricken concert site.
Organisers had also been waiting on a late-filed request to close Puketapu Rd around the winery for the event, but this did not affect the decision-making.
Now the venue is ready and the show is set to go ahead on the Saturday of Labour Weekend.
The band will be heading to the gig immediately after a three-week writing and recording session, working on their anticipated fifth album.
A band spokesperson said attendees can expect to be treated to a first taste of new material live.
Lead singer Matiu Walters said since the band’s days at Otago University, they’ve always shared new music live before releasing their records.
“The fans have always been so essential to Six60, it’s a way to give back before the world has the album,” Walters said.
“We have some surprises for everyone in the Hawke’s Bay and with how long winter seems to have been, a little pre-summer kick off in a vineyard feels long overdue.”
Shed 530 Estate Chief Winemaker Kel Dixon said the concert delay allowed the team to “get some ducks in a row”.
The concert area at Shed 530 will be out the back of the restaurant and is expected to accommodate 4000-5000 people. It includes a parking area, bar and food installations, and stage.
Dixon said the stage will face the restaurant.
“So it’ll be quite an intimate show,” Dixon said.
Shed 530 Estate Chief Winemaker Kel Dixon in front of where Six60 will play on October 25. Photo / Jack Riddell
An HDC spokesperson said a traffic management plan had been submitted and approved.
There will be no road closures on Puketapu Rd on the day of the concert, but there will be stop/go controls in place to allow pedestrians to safely cross the road.