Kiwi music legends don't come more legendary than rock champions Dragon and Pacific reggae masters Herbs.
And the prospect of seeing them for the first time in one show - and featuring hometown hero Mark Williams - was enough to drive some 1200 hardy souls through torrential rain to a rural Kaipara shed.
By day a kumara packing shed, the towering barn structure for one night became party central out of the rain beside the main road south out of Dargaville at Turiwiri on Friday. The venue and the operation worked a treat - although some vehicles had to be helped out of a paddock parking area at the end of the evening; but even then everyone knew that's what you get when it rains in the country.
In turn, the crowd's determination was rewarded with a show so warm, energised and full of listening pleasure that nothing else was a problem - not the rain, not the cars stuck in mud, not even having to queue in the rain to use toilets. Alcohol and food were available, but the happy crowd behaved and police were neither seen nor needed. The only noticeable uniform presences were security staff and Maori Wardens, who helped direct people in and out of the venue.
Williams, revelling in being on his home turf again, drew delighted responses from the audience as he called to small localities around Kaipara and performed with all the polish and professionalism that led to his being inducted into the Music Hall of Fame last year with the band he fronts. Dragon wowed the delighted, dancing shed-goers with familiar pieces such as April Sun in Cuba, Rain, and O Zambesi, and presented catchy new songs due out soon in a new album. Williams also accompanied himself on guitar in a bracket of some of his own hits.
Earlier in the day Kaipara Mayor Neil Tiller welcomed Williams and the other band members at a powhiri, and presented Williams with a ceremonial pounamu mere (greenstone hand weapon) as a mark of respect and mana.
Herbs also lived up to their legendary status, pumping the crowd with favourites like Long Ago, In the Ghetto, French Letter and Slice of Heaven, and leader Dilworth Karaka kept the home fires burning, greeting whanau of his own among the cheering throngs.
For a mere $25 ($30 at the shed door) the enthusiastic showgoers also got two more bands to start the evening off. Stalwart Dargaville band Stormchaser earned warm applause first up, then up-and-coming Maungaturoto outfit Localize offered an enchanting mix of infectious reggae and funky rock.
In the end, the five-hour shed shindig was a mutual display of warm tribute and well-deserved credit. The crowd went along to enjoy and pay tribute to two great groups and their music. The people did not let anything stop them getting there and, once there, they made sure everyone enjoyed the night.
To their credit, the bands lived up to their celebrated standing and their music was a tribute to the enduring power of the art to make and keep people happy.
Rock and reggae rule over rain
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