"Skyline's Gondola Gigs has become a much-anticipated part of New Zealand Music Month, especially in Rotorua, and if we can use this as a platform to help spread the word and celebrate what's in our own backyard, as well as shine the light on talent across the country, then it's a no brainer.
"The concept of Gondola Gigs has remained the same. It aims to throw the spotlight on talented music makers while Lake Rotorua and the city provide a stunning backdrop.
"Gondola Gigs also provides viewers a platform to make new musical discoveries."
Andrew says playing a role in the filming of Gondola Gigs has been an aspect he's enjoyed.
"It's my first year as sales and marketing manager for Skyline Rotorua, so for me it was watching talented artists perform acoustically as they got used to the changing landscape and movement of the cabins.
The idea of Gondola Gigs was initiated in 2013 by Karin Vincent of the Rogue Stage.
A series of 'mini gondola concerts' was filmed on location at Skyline Rotorua and it is this concept Skyline has continued to develop over the years.
All of this year's videos are released initially through Skyline Rotorua's Facebook page and then loaded onto its website.
The last video, which was released yesterday, was a performance by Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology students.
The song they performed was written by student Moana Bell, called 45 Seconds.
Moana says the song is about a dark, lonely and almost needy kind of love.
"I like to give all my songs room for people to interpret it in their own way. It's very metaphoric."
She says she enjoyed jamming with the other students, going up in the gondola, and the banter and fun they had while filming.
She says the Gondola Gigs is a great opportunity because the videos get so many views and has a big social media reach.
Toi Ohomai music tutor Ben Wilcock thought doing a Gondola Gig was a fantastic opportunity to promote the student's original music and the institute's course.
He says he enjoyed the quality of the student's performance and seeing it come together - "it's a really cool song".
Ben says the six students had to come up with ways to get around the gondola's small space, such as the drummer playing a cajon.
Gondola Gigs 2018
- Rust – Dan Collett and Pete O'Neill, Whangarei
- Music Therapy - Terence O'Brien and Jono Breakwell, Rotorua
- Leighton Fairlie ft Fabiano Fava, Tauranga and Auckland
- Tessa of the d'Urbervilles ft Ian Pirrie, Palmerston North and Rotorua
- Toi Ohomai year two Music students, Rotorua, Moana Bell - composer and vocals, Aaron Claire - percussion, Jerome Namana- keyboard, Hamuera Hodge - guitars, Manly Taylor - bass, Reon Mahalia - backing vocals
