Live music venue opens to acclaim

MIDWEEK.

Wairarapa's newest music venue opened its doors on Friday night to an enthusiastic crowd of local artists, business people and music lovers - ahead of the venue's first official concert featuring Tiki Taane on Saturday.

Friends and families of owners, New Zealand music artist Warren Maxwell and businessman Carl Schdroski, were out in force to celebrate the beginning of a new chapter for the Wairarapa music scene.

Maxwell's speech to open the venue and thank the numerous businesses that had supported the new venture brought the house down, with heartfelt acknowledgments delivered with personal and touching humour.

With his young son, Levi, by his side Maxwell toasted the assembled crowd and proclaimed that King Street Live was now one of the top five music venues in New Zealand.

The family theme was a big part of the opening night with Schdroski's son Jake and his band Back to the Remedy the first band to perform on the stage and test out the venue's state of the art sound system.

Maxwell's brother Alan Maxwell is also an integral part of the project, working as bar manager sharing more than 20 years of experience in hospitality management.

It has been a year and a half since Maxwell and Schdroski's initial concept was discussed and support for the venture has been overwhelming.

"People have gone above and beyond, really getting stuck in to help prepare the venue, often on a voluntary basis," said Maxwell.

"Whole families coming in on weekends, lending a hand.

"So much love has gone into it," he said.

Masterton singer-songwriter Holly McGeorge was glowing in her praise of the atmosphere at King Street as she soaked up the welcoming atmosphere on the opening night.

"Warren and Carl's vision has truly come to life, but it's so much more than that.

"Wairarapa now has one of the top live venues in the country and the potential for the local music scene is immense.

"I'm just so blown away!"

The opening weekend for the venue was a huge success with tickets for the Saturday night Tiki Taane performance selling out and excitement is now growing for the next big acts booked to play the venue.

Tickets are already selling fast for Kiwi music legend Dave Dobbyn, playing May 26.