Midnight Youth to perform in Rotorua

Rotorua residents will get to see platinum-selling Kiwi band Midnight Youth perform in the city for free.

The band will play at the Energy Events Centre tonight as part of Waiariki Institute of Technology's O Week celebrations.

The free music event, which is open to Waiariki students and members of the Rotorua community, will wrap up the week-long orientation for the Waiariki students who started the semester this week.

This year Waiariki will welcome more than 5000 domestic and international students to campuses throughout the region.

Waiariki acting chief executive John Snook said he wanted the community and the students to mix together.

"We want the local community to come along and meet our students and to create a real student atmosphere in Rotorua.''

Midnight Youth recently toured New Zealand to promote their second album, World Comes Calling.

Their debut album, The Brave Don't Run, went platinum and peaked at number two on the New Zealand album chart in 2009.

Also performing on Friday is Kiwi rock group Villainy, while the opening act will be student girl group Vocalese.

Academy manager Richard Anaru said this week's gig gave the group a opportunity to learn from the experience.