Thousands gather for big three's reunion concert

Boh Runga kicks off the show at Ascension Wine Estate, Matakana, as fans soak up the music and summer sun. Photo / Steven McNicholl

Thousands of fans headed to Matakana for Bic Runga, Dave Dobbyn and Tim Finn's reunion show last night.

The concert at Ascension Wine Estate was the first of an 18-stop tour through vineyards from Tutukaka to Millbrook.

Bic's sister Boh Runga opened the evening and was joined by Che Fu, who brought a hip-hop flavour to the stage.

The Runga, Dobbyn and Finn trio ran through hits including Weather, Loyal, Sway and I See Red.

Promoter Brent Eccles came up with the winery tour concept five years ago when he was searching for venues for Bic Runga. Hollie Smith, Brooke Fraser, Opshop, Goldenhorse and Anika Moa have since played shows in New Zealand wineries.

Mr Eccles said this year's ticket sales were expected to reach 40,000.

Fay Satherly from Warkworth and her daughter Pam Sinclair from Dargaville said they had attended every winery tour since the event started.

Runga, Dobbyn and Finn first toured together 10 years ago, in winter. Finn said no one anticipated the popularity of the three artists playing on one stage, and they had been waiting for a chance to do it again.

Dobbyn said it was enriching to look into the crowd and see four generations all singing along: "You deliver the goods and you can hear their hearts coming back at you."