The crowd loved folk singer Adam McGrath when he performed at the Te Runanga Tea Rooms last year. PHOTO/MEAD NORTON
The crowd loved folk singer Adam McGrath when he performed at the Te Runanga Tea Rooms last year. PHOTO/MEAD NORTON
Folk singer Adam McGrath will be doing some roof raisin' and yarn spinnin' at the Rogue Lounge tonight.
The travelling poet/musician and bar stool philosopher is one half of The Eastern and he has shared a stage with many international acts including Fleetwood Mac, Jimmy Barnes, and Old Crow MedicineShow.
He appeals to anyone who enjoys folk and country music and a good yarn, according to Rogue Stage creator Karin Vincent.
"Adam is first and foremost a storyteller, a writer, then a musician and leader of a band - The Eastern. Adam stands strong for what he believes in and his work is true to that. When he walks into a room, you know he is there," she said.
McGrath has already performed twice to a Rotorua audience and Ms Vincent said the crowd loved him.
"He gives so much of himself in a performance, he makes people sink deep into humanness, the connection we all share, not with fancy words, but with a down to earth attitude and honesty. He'll tell a story of opening for Fleetwood Mac with an un-tuned guitar or when he was young and growing up in a rough neighbourhood, and no matter how many times you've heard that story, you want to hear it again. Adam is colourful and bold, his songs are search lights to our truths," she said.
McGrath's song Hope and Wire was the inspiration for the TV3 series, Hope and Wire, directed by Gaylene Preston.
"A musician can display skills in many areas, some are technical, skilful, but with no charisma or the songs lack heart, but with Adam you get good songs, memorable songs, honest songs with lots of heart. Think Pete Seeger or Billy Bragg, musicians who sing songs for people. Adam McGrath is seen as one of New Zealand's most influential singer songwriters."
"I have yet to meet a musician who is not influenced by his songs, by him as a person or by his truth," said Ms Vincent.
"At each performance, Adam spends time with the audience and loves talking to his fans. It will be a down to earth, informal evening of stories, singing songs and great New Zealand music."
The show starts at 6.30pm. Tickets are on sale at www.theroguestage.co.nz and are $25 each. Limited tickets available.
