Mission Concert rumour mill starts grinding

THE WAIT: A Mission Concert crowd awaits the big act. PHOTO/FILE

Concert promoter Garry Craft will announce a Mission Estate act and date as soon as possible in the wake of the scrapping of the Neil Diamond show that was to have taken place on March 17.

Mr Craft, of Australian promoters Sport and Entertainment Ltd (SEL), said a couple of contracts are "close" to being signed.

"We don't mess around," he said. "We'll make an announcement as soon as the ink's dry."

Mr Craft was responding to suggestions from staff of one Mission Concert service provider of a possible a major concert in Hawke's Bay in November.

But, it's not a late spring or summer date for Taradale's Mission Concert, which has been held variously over the last 25 years on dates from late January to early April.

"No, I definitely haven't booked anything for Napier for later this year," he said.

The Mission Concert has been held almost every year since Dame Kiri Te Kanawa's celebrated introduction of the great even in 1993, and the last was the Dixie Chicks Mission Concert rejuvenation on April 8 last year.

Longtime Mission Concert target Neil Diamond's signing for this year's concert was announced on October 25 last year,and the full-house signs went up in the first week of December.

But on January 23 it was announced he was retiring amid failing health, and eight days later promoters announced they were unable to confirm a replacement in time, and the concert was off.

Many missioners from out-of-town stuck to their travel and accommodation bookings and still came to Napier on the concert date, which coincided with the Horse of the Year Show in Hastings.

There were unexpected benefits, with one central Napier retailer saying: "We probably had our best Mission Concert day ever."

The rumour mill has already started grinding, but out of the picture are Mariah Carey, who's in Auckland in October, and Elton John, who's swansong tour will pass through New Zealand next year, but not until December.

Among other big tours in 2019 is one by ABBA, in a virtual reality show as holograms.