Stan Walker rocks sell out Rotorua Summer Seafood Festival

Stan Walker rocked a sell out crowd at the Rotorua Summer Seafood Festival.

The young pop sensation burst onto the stage at the Rotorua Lakefront singing his hit Bulletproof before taking the more than 2500 people on a musical journey through his career so far.

The performance capped off another successful festival which saw a mix of music and the sizzling of cooking kaimoana filling the air.

This year there were two stages at the third annual festival; a kai stage and the main stage.

While heavy showers threatened to spoil the event, once it started at midday there was barely any moisture around, ensuring punters kept dry until it finished at 6.30pm.

Image 1 of 8: Stan Walker performs at the Rotorua Summer Seafood Festival.

Getting ready to start his cooking demonstration shortly after the festival kicked off was 2010 New Zealand Masterchef winner Brett McGregor.

"It's awesome to be here, I'm glad the weather's holding out," he said.

"There's lots of smiles, people are very happy."

Other famous chefs serving up tasty treats were Natasha Whitewood and Hera Waitai from

My Kitchen Rules

and world-renowned chef and

My Kitchen Rules

judge Robert Oliver.

Stan Walker performs at the Rotorua Summer Seafood Festival. Photo/Ben Fraser

Serving up some tasty kai to the punters at the Te Arawa Fresh stall was first time festival goer Paraakiri Higgins.

There was "a bit of everything" at the festival, and lines were starting to form early on, she said.

The music coming from performers on stage was good for motivation, she said.

Among the entertainment line-up was Bailea Twoomey, Jinan Dodd, Feels Soul Good, Lyrissa Ropatini, Stella Marris, Herbs unplugged and Halo Band.

But the crowd came alive when Walker took the stage.

Crowd dancing at the Rotorua Summer Seafood Festival. Photo/Ben Fraser

The humble entertainer didn't mention anything about his recent dramatic weight loss or speculation around his health, instead showing his fans he was fit and healthy enough to belt out his hits.

Among the songs was his te reo version of Crowded House's hit Don't Dream It's Over, which he performed when opening for his idol Beyonce.

He told the crowd how "shamed" he was watching a video re-run of him meeting his musical hero.

Stan Walker live at the Rotorua Summer Seafood Festival!

Posted by Rotorua Daily Post on Friday, 2 February 2018

He said he was so dumbstruck, one arm was stuck to his side and he ended up giving her an "awkward as" one armed hug.

As he moved through a mix of new and old songs, Walker ended with his hit Take It Easy - which was a perfect way to finish off the event.

Organiser Larni Hepi told the Rotorua Daily Post after the festival he was thrilled with how it went, saying everyone enjoyed the entertainment.

"It was successful, a lot of people enjoyed it, we had a lot of seafood and a good line up of chefs."