How to see music from the world's biggest acts at Royal Whanganui Opera House

The Boss is a nine piece tribute act bringing alive the music of Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band at the Royal Wanganui Opera House on Saturday. Photo / Supplied

Tribute acts are bringing the music of two of the world's biggest bands to the Royal Wanganui Opera House this week.

The Boss – Bruce Springsteen Tribute Show is a group of nine accomplished musicians from throughout the central North Island.

They describe themselves as a "kick-ass complement of nine passionate musicians bringing alive the timeless music of Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band."

Bass guitarist Adrian Dittmer says the description is no idle boast and the show has been four years in the making.

"First, it was a matter of bringing together nine musicians with the necessary competence and commitment who shared the same vision.

"Then we had to work out suitable rehearsal times because we have members living in Palmerston North, Levin and Masterton."

Dittmer said the impetus for the band was their shared love of Springsteen's music as well as a commitment to local music fans.

"Ticket prices for International acts are exorbitant and people in the regions also face travel and accommodation costs so it becomes unaffordable.

"And Springsteen doesn't get to New Zealand often."

The Boss is also pushing 70 and so are some members of the E Street Band.

When they did tour New Zealand in 2017, they pulled in 30,000 fans at Christchurch's AMI Stadium and around 80,000 over two shows at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland.

"People love to hear Springsteen's music live and we have practised really hard to give our own best versions of his songs," says Dittmer.

They recently played in Upper Hutt where they met the man who is possibly New Zealand's biggest Springsteen fan.

"He has travelled the world to attend Springsteen concerts and I think he's been to over 150 of them.

"He said he expected us to be really bad but he was genuinely impressed and I guess that's an endorsement from an expert."

Dittmer said the group members also have day jobs and all play in other bands as well.

"Our saxophonist James Tait-Jamison plays with Rodger Fox, Warren Maxwell, Andrew London and Mahia Blackmore."

Dittmer is also a member of covers band Six Chairs Missing and plays in Manawatu Jazz combos.

"We all play a range of styles but we share our passion for Springsteen's music."

He says a Whanganui audience can look forward to a three-hour show that includes every track from Born in the USA as well as more than 20 other songs.

Following close on the heels of The Boss tribute show will be Australian Bee Gees tribute show Night Fever on Tuesday, November 19.

The show invites you to "dance your way into a time warp of 70s disco dance floor thrillers and timeless heartfelt rock ballads."

It promises to recreate the Bee Gee's 1997 One Night Only Las Vegas concert with international performers singing the parts of the three Gibb brothers.

The Boss: Bruce Springsteen Tribute Show, 7.30 pm, Saturday, November 16.

The Bee Gees Night Fever: 8pm, Tuesday, November 19.

Buy tickets at Royal Wanganui Opera House or online at whanganuivenues.co.nz