Praise aplenty for concert
The Hipstamatics revved up a 700-strong crowd in Katikati on Saturday and combined with perfect weather made for a fantastic Twilight Concert to kick off the summer series in the stunning Haiku reserve.
The 10-piece band put on a high energy funk/soul/ rock show, that was an outstanding performance — lively and high quality with a brass section that was incredible. Local talent Bree Rose who opened for the group, was outstanding. MC for the evening was Tony Amos.
“It was a great concert, the music was fantastic and people were up dancing all the time,” said Dianne Somers-Edgar, chair of the Twilight Concert committee.
“The disappointing thing was the lack of numbers.
“It was very hot and there have been so many other things on around the area. Hopefully our supporters will come along to the next one. The price is very reasonable for the entertainment.”
Twilight Concerts publicity manager Jenni Wilson agreed, it was a great night. The group had the crowd up dancing from the get-go with classic songs from Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin. Marvin Gaye’s I Heard it through the Grapevine was popular and Take me to the River to name a few.
“There was a smaller crowd than we would have liked but they were all treated to a great show.
“One man tapped me on the shoulder and said it’s the best act he’s been to,” Jenni said.
The Twilight Concert committee received three exceptional applicants for its annual tertiary study grants and could not discount any of them, so the committee decided to award three scholarships this year instead of two. Tertiary study grants of $2000 each were presented to Sophie Gibson, who incidentally performed a couple of numbers to kick off the second half of the show, Brooke Sinclair and Samara Dodinski.
The night was capped off with a spectacular cosmic light seen in the sky overhead as concert goers were leaving.
“It was pretty spectacular and perfect timing,” Jenni said.
The next Twilight Concert on January 26 is the Superstar Show - a tribute show to the Bee Gees, The Eagles and Queen, and will be a real crowd pleaser — so mark it on your calendars.