Marlborough Express - Weekend Express
Fine wine and food with music to match
LIVE MUSIC for all tastes is lined up for the Marlborough Wine & Food Festival. All acts have been handpicked to create the wonderful atmosphere the festival is famous for. Between the three zones, including the Groove Garden, you will find your vibe!
MAIN STAGE
Drax Project, 3.35pm – 4.35pm: We are delighted to bring Drax Project’s unique pop R&B sound to Marlborough as the festival’s headline act. Drax Project are an in-demand live act and have made great waves with their US performances and radio chart-topping releases. And being a Wellington band that busked their way up to the big stages, we know New Zealand audiences love them.
Sons of Zion, 2.05pm – 3.05pm: Reggae-fusion band Sons of Zion have graced the stage at most notable New Zealand music events, including Jim Beam Homegrown and One Love. Their summer-ready, laid-back vibe is the perfect fit for a festival audience, appealing to all ages. We can’t wait to hear how those hit singles sound with wine and food.
AACACIA, 11.35am – 12.30pm: We love to support
New Zealand born-and-bred musicians and can’t wait to see AACACIA in action. AACACIA seemed to burst onto the scene with her catchy songs and lovely voice, and is building an impressive reputation as a performer,
collaborating, supporting and touring with the likes of Drax Project, Six60, L.A.B, Niko Walters and Coterie.
Tom Knowles, 12.40pm – 1.40pm: Local musician Tom Knowles draws a fun crowd with his wide range of epic covers that we all know and love, from the rocking ‘70s to today. In 2021 he premiered his musical stage show Atarangi: Morning Sky, and last year released an album with the same title featuring the musical’s songs – revamped for the album.
Chloe Vitale, 10.30am – 11.25am: Chloe Vitale is a singer-songwriter who performs her original indie and pop songs regularly in the region. She recently released her first two singles, with a third single in the works. Chloe’s guitar playing and soulful vocals will be accompanied by local drummer Dean Vitale.
DJ Nervous, 4.50pm – 6pm: DJ Nervous is Drax Project drummer and beat maker Matt Beachen, who crafts a set that varies from current to nostalgic – with the constant theme of keeping the vibes turned up for the crowd. DJ Nervous got started when Matt rose to the challenge of ‘dropping some beats’ at after-parties, as per his bandmates’ expectations of a drummer.
VINYL IN THE VINES
Join DJ collective Vinyl in the Vines in the Groove
Garden for classic soul, dance and groove that makes you move. They are:
• Mr Slice: A Marlborough native with a deep
collection of Kiwi classics, pop, rock and soul.
• DJ Dai: Raised on reggae in Bristol and London, his vinyl crates embrace funk, trip hop and drum ‘n’ bass.
• DJ Boom: Grew up in the clubs of Dublin playing 90s
electronica and classic dance tracks.
ACOUSTIC AREA
Midge McCleary, 11am – 1pm: A Marlborough-based musician, Midge performs an engaging style of funk, blues, folk and jazz based on his percussive finger style guitar playing.
Chloe Vitale, 1pm – 2pm: Chloe Vitale is a singersongwriter who performs regularly around the region.
She has recently released her first couple of singles and is currently recording her third. Chloes live performance captures her soulful vocals and original songwriting. Joined by local drummer Dean Vitale her set combines groove, indie and pop. Catch her on the Main Stage at 10.30am.
Plum Acoustic, 2pm – 3pm: “Vagus Plum” – an upbeat funk-tinged duo of two multi-instrumentalists – will explore a more stripped-down sound utilising percussion, acoustic guitar and vocals for the Acoustic Stage.