Six60 are hitting the road for a unique tour around New Zealand, recording each show to create a new live album.
The celebrated Kiwi band will perform in intimate venues across Aotearoa this April and May, showcasing their big hits in acoustic and unplugged versions for fans.
These recordings will make up their upcoming album, Best of the Grassroots Tour.
And it’s a big shift for Dunedin’s all-encompassing pop rockers, moving from massive stadiums with 50,000 fans to smaller town venues hosting just 150 people. Now, fans have the chance to get up close and personal with the band. Plus, each stage will be set up like a recording studio, adding to the intimate vibe.
“For years on social media, fans have been asking us to record acoustic versions of our songs, for weddings, funerals and everything in between…we felt that if we were ever going to do it, we wanted to do it with our fans, that’s what excites us, bringing the people that made us the band we are, made the songs into the hits they are along for the ride,” the band says. “We can’t wait to visit these special pockets of Aotearoa and bring these songs to life in a way we have never done before”
The huge tour kicks off with a homecoming show at lead singer Matiu Walters’ marae, Pōtahi Marae in Te Kao. Then, they’ll hit up small towns like Piha, Waimate, and Te Puka Tavern. Rising artist Makayla, from Hawke’s Bay, will open each show. She’s the latest artist signed to Six60’s record label MASSIVE, joining Drax Project, reggae rockers Coterie, and Mitch James.
The tour announcement comes after founding member Eli Paewai’s decision to leave the band. Paewai, who’s been Six60’s drummer since they formed in 2008, announced his retirement after two final shows this month.
Last year, Six6o won the award for Best Record for their hugely-anticipated fourth album, Castle St, at the Panhead Rolling Stone New Zealand Awards.
Tickets go on sale on Monday, March 4th, and are expected to sell out fast. Promoters have confirmed that no additional dates will be added in any location.
Six60 Sessions: The Grassroots Tour
Tickets on sale on Monday, March 4th at midday (ticket websites below).
Tuesday, April 9th
Pōtahi Marae, Te Kao
ticketmaster.co.nz
Wednesday, April 10th
Te Ahu Hall, Kaitaia *R18
ticketmaster.co.nz
Friday, April 12th
Opononi Hotel, Opononi *R18
ticketmaster.co.nz
Saturday, April 13th
Mangawhai Tavern, Mangawhai *R18
ticketmaster.co.nz
Sunday, April 14th
Piha Surf Life Saving Club, Piha
ticketmaster.co.nz
Tuesday, April 16th
TSB Theatre, New Plymouth
ticketek.co.nz
Wednesday, April 17th
Clarence Street, Hamilton
ticketek.co.nz
Friday, April 19th
Baycourt Theatre, Tauranga
eventfinda.co.nz
Saturday, April 20th
Great Lakes Centre, Taupō
ticketek.co.nz
Monday, April 22nd
Te Puka Tavern, Te Puka * R18
ticketmaster.co.nz
Tuesday, April 23rd
War Memorial Theatre, Gisborne
ticketek.co.nz
Friday, April 26th
War Memorial Hall, Whakatāne
ticketmaster.co.nz
Saturday, April 27th
Civic Theatre, Feilding
ticketmaster.co.nz
Sunday, April 29th
Royal Whanganui Opera House, Whanganui
ticketek.co.nz
Tuesday, April 30th
Trafalgar Centre, Nelson
ticketmaster.co.nz
Wednesday, May 1st
Regent Theatre, Greymouth
ticketmaster.co.nz
Sunday, May 4th
Queenstown Event Centre, Queenstown
ticketmaster.co.nz
Tuesday, May 7th
Civic Theatre, Invercargill
ticketek.co.nz
Wednesday, May 8th
St James Theatre, Gore
iticket.co.nz
Thursday, May 9th
Opera House, Oamaru
patronbase.com
Saturday, May 11th
Regent Theatre, Waimate
ticketmaster.co.nz
Sunday, May 12th
Waipara Winehouse, Waipara
ticketmaster.co.nz
Tuesday, May 14th
Community Centre, Stewart Island
ticketmaster.co.nz
