Promoters proving doubters wrong

TURNING ONE: Mark Rogers and Katie Grantham are celebrating Up With People's first birthday at King St Live tomorrow.

Last year, when Mark Rogers and Katie Grantham formed a company to bring nationally-renowned musical acts to Wairarapa, they were met with a lukewarm reaction.

"People said there was no point," said Mr Rogers.

"They said the audience wasn't there. One person said, 'Wairarapa is full of farmers and farmers don't go to gigs."'

Undeterred, he and Ms Grantham - under their new moniker, Up With People music productions - organised a concert at Aratoi featuring Warratahs frontman Barry Saunders and relatively unknown country artists Delaney Davidson, Marlon Williams and Ebony Lamb, paired with the Masterton District Brass Band.

The two new promoters turned up to the gig with bated breath - to find the music went down a treat.

"We had no idea how it was going to go. But it went off," said Mr Rogers.

"It completely sold out. They got a standing ovation."

One year later, Up With People has proved its critics wrong - bringing through both big-name and up-and-coming Kiwi acts and consistently landing bums on seats.

To celebrate, Up With People will be hosting a birthday bash at King St Live this Saturday, featuring live music, a prize draw and, of course, cake.

Mr Rogers said the birthday party is an opportunity to thank the people of Wairarapa for their support.

"We have been very well supported here," he said.

"People keep coming out to see this music. It just goes to show - if you put a good band in front of an audience, they're going to keep going."

Mr Rogers first began teasing out the idea of a musical promotions company for Wairarapa, after noticing that, while there was a "great local music scene", no touring musicians were stopping off.

"I couldn't work out why no-one was coming through," said Mr Rogers, who had a job booking gigs back home in the UK.

Eventually, he got talking to Ms Grantham, who was waiting tables at Strada - and they both agreed Wairarapa could do with a few extra live bands.

"I grew up here, so I know first hand what it's like to feel there's nothing happening," said Ms Grantham.

"In Masterton, there weren't the big venues to hang out in, and you couldn't go and see many bands, unless you went to Wellington. When I was younger, I saved up for ages so I could go to gigs in Auckland.

"So, Mark and I were talking, and we thought, 'let's do something about that."'

Since then, Up With People has, among others, brought the Muttonbirds' Don McGlashan to Carterton Events Centre, Karl Stevens of Supergroove to Masterbowl and both The Datsuns and The Warratahs to King St Live.

It has also brought out lesser-known musicians, who were just as warmly received by the local crowds.

"We've found some very good musicians, and no-one knew who they were," said Mr Rogers, who has booked everything from reggae bands, to "crazy blues artists" to hard rockers.

"But, when they've come here, they've been a big hit."

Ms Grantham said she loves getting feedback, especially when people discover new favourites.

"They say, 'I've never heard of these people. Thank you so much,"' she said.

"I think the audience know they're going to have a ball, so they keep showing up."

Tomorrow's birthday celebration will feature live music from 13-piece reggae band Newtown Rocksteady, blues musician Matt Enright and DJ Brother Lee Love - and cupcakes from Ms Grantham's sister's company, Green Goddess Cupcakes.

Mr Rogers said there will also be a prize draw, with the winner receiving tickets to future Up With People events.

Door sales will be available tomorrow night, with advance tickets costing $15 at www.dashtickets.co.nz.