X Factor stars to play in Rotorua

Bohemian trio Brendon Thomas & The Vibes, who appeared in New Zealand's TV screens during The X Factor NZ last year, will play a gig in Rotorua.

Comprised of frontman Brendon Thomas, drummer Timothee Nolier and bassist Michael Anderson, the band applied for the show after the announcement of a bands category, a first in the show's international franchise.

Wearing their influences (Hendrix, Zeppelin, The Beatles, The Who) on their tassled sleeves, Brendon Thomas and The Vibes made their way to the show's grand final, putting their signature spin on every song they covered, smashing a few guitars and guiding their debut EP The Eclect to #1 on the NZ iTunes charts.

Next month they embark on a 'Wrap You In The Sun' national tour that includes a show at Rotorua's Pig & Whistle on August 4.

On the show the trio also managed to catch the ear of Kiwi rock and roll luminary, Split Enz's Eddie Rayner, who signed on to produce the band's forthcoming 'Wrap You In The Sun' EP.

"BTV caught my eye when the appeared on the X-Factor," said Rayner.

"They distinguished themselves with uncompromising performances, and endeared themselves to me and the NZ public with their enthusiasm and genuine delight with 'jamming' with each other and strutting their stuff to audiences. I was reminded of my years in Split Enz, where we felt we were on a mission, germinating in NZ but determined to take our 'thing' to the wider world.

"The Vibes are great young musicians and remind me hugely of bands from the greatest era of popular music, the 1960s. Bands such as The Small Faces, Blind Faith and even the Jimi Hendrix Experience. The new EP displays their musical and compositional prowess and the quality of Brendon's voice. I'm excited to be working with them, excited to see how the EP is received, and definitely excited about seeing their future unfold!

'Wrap You In The Sun' captures Brendon Thomas and The Vibes live in studio at their most elemental, spanning a range of tracks from supercharged retro riffs and mature pop sensibilities. With a release date just around the corner, the EP is the perfect calling card for the trio's psychedelic assault.