Rotorua's two big gigs in one night

Rotorua is to host some big names in Australasian music, with two concerts on one night - but an organiser says there will be enough people in the city to cater for both events.

The two shows - a concert called Uprising featuring DJ Sir-Vere, Ardijah and 1818 and a Renee Geyer gig supported by top Kiwi performers - are to take place in Rotorua on February 23, the night before the finals of Te Matatini Kapa Haka 2013.

Uprising organiser Russell Harrison said he had arranged the concert, which would be held at Arawa Park, as a way to celebrate the kapa haka event and provide those attending with entertainment outside of the competition.

Geyer, an Australian singer whose hits include It Only Happens, Heading In The Right Direction and Say I Love You, will perform at the Rotorua Civic Theatre, also on February 23, as part of her Say I Love You NZ 2013 tour. She will have a supporting line up including Maisey Rika, Adeaze, Three Houses Down, NZ's Got Talent finalist Tawaroa Kawana and more.

The kapa haka will be held between February 20 and February 24 and is expected to attract tens of thousands of people.

Mr Harrison said the two concerts would cater for two different markets and felt there would be enough people in Rotorua at the time to have two successful concerts. "I think there'll be more than enough people at the time."

He said the two concerts were priced differently and the venues were different, too. Mr Harrison was confident both concerts would attract good support.

Geyer is recording her 25th album and has been part of the New Zealand and Australian music scenes for more than 40 years.

Organisers said Geyer was a supporter of Maori performing arts and the concert would celebrate and support kapa haka excellence.

Tickets for Uprising at iTicket.co.nz, $30 for earlybird tickets, and $40 from January. Gates open at 6pm at Arawa Park.

Renee Geyer concert at 8pm. Earlybird tickets $60 through TicketMaster.