Rotorua's Rogue Stage has hosted the likes of Marlon Williams, Tami Neilson, Lawrence Arabia and Aldous Harding, but this weekend it will host its final show.
Organiser Karin Vincent plans to open a vegan shop in Rotorua instead and says she cannot do both.
"We would have carried on if it was not so much work. It has taken up a lot of family time. We have never done it for profit, just to keep our gear in use and to support the community. I have loved all of it, even the stressful moments."
Karin Vincent and her 18-year-old son, Jacob. Photo / Ben Fraser
When Vincent first started six years ago, she helped organise performances every weekend.
"We were inundated with bands. They all wanted a slice of the pie. The pot was half-full and all these groups wanted to take from it. We got rundown and tired, we had young children, too."
She stopped after 18 months and the stage was dormant for half a year.
Rogue Stage music promoter Karin Vincent is calling it a day. Photo / Stephen Parker
"Musicians were pleading with us to open again, saying they needed the venue."
Eventually, she cut down to two shows a month, then one.
After another 2½ years she was exhausted again and announced she would throw in the towel.
"It was Murphy's law, we had packed up and then the most amazing band contacted us wanting to play."
She said this time around after she had called it a day, The Chills asked to play a gig in Rotorua, but Vincent had to stand her ground and turn them down.
The stage has been set up in theatres, cafes, gardens, lounges, forests, the museum, sheds, barns and on boats since its inception.
"We have even done three festivals," Vincent said.
For the past few years, the stage has been mostly used at Prince's Gate, Monarch Room.
Vincent started the venue with her husband, Barry, when they moved here from the United Kingdom and wanted to see more live performances in Rotorua.
"We had humble beginnings, but I look at the likes of Marlon Williams now and think, shivers, you had breakfast with me at my house."
Vincent was "humbled" by those who had supported performances over the years.
"When bands play elsewhere often they have to do covers, or get people pumped up to buy drinks but here they could just do their own stuff."
The Rogue Stage final show Who: This Way North, Bernie Griffen and The Thin Men When: Sunday 5pm Where: Prince's Gate, Monarch Room Cost: $20 from undertheradar.co.nz
