Foo Fighters to play town hall quake concert

The Foo Fighters played two sold-out shows at the Vector Arena in 2008. Photo / Greg Bowker

The Foo Fighters, one of the world's biggest bands, fronted by former Nirvana member Dave Grohl, will play a special one-off charity gig next week to support the Christchurch earthquake fund.

Compared to the band's Vector Arena and Mt Smart Supertop concerts in recent years, Tuesday's show will be a more intimate affair at the 2300-capacity Auckland Town Hall.

It is believed tickets could be at the premium price of $175 and $250, which go on sale from the-edge.co.nz. on Friday with all proceeds going to quake relief.

The concert is off the back of performances in Australia around the same time. The band's seventh album, Wasting Light, is out on April 12, meaning New Zealand fans will be among the first to see the band perform live as part of their upcoming tour.

It was not known if the band plan to return to do full arena-sized concerts at a later date.

Grohl this month hinted the band might be heading to New Zealand during a message for Auckland radio station The Edge where he wished everyone in Christchurch well.

"I hope that we can see you soon and do what we can to bring a little bit of happiness back into your lives," he said.

The Foo Fighters, formed by Grohl following the demise of Nirvana in 1994 after the death of Kurt Cobain, last performed here at two sold-out Vector Arena shows in May 2008.

Grohl was then in New Zealand with super-group side-project Them Crooked Vultures in January last year.