To celebrate NZ Music Month this May and concluding a series of three new albums, Chris Thompson will be performing solo acoustic and with the one-time reformed The Dirt Band on electric, in Tauranga, and Hamilton.
Chris began his music career back in the heady days touring the London and Dublin folk scene in the early 1970s, and gained his legendary status by going straight to the top echelons of folk musicians and fingerstyle guitarist performing in the UK and Europe, with his first three albums since becoming sought after classics. Since then, Chris has remained honest to his roots, having written more than 250 songs, amassed 23 albums, and worked as a true travelling troubadour. Returning to New Zealand, Chris toured with blues icon Stevie Ray Vaughan, John Hanlon, and blues masters Brownie McGee and Sonny Terry. He was last seen playing in Mount Maunganui a few years ago, and in standout performances at cafes at Waihi Beach.
His most recent album, ‘Only One Way Out Of Town’, is a live album covering music from his entire career. This followed mini album ‘Woodsheddin’, and an album formed from a rediscovered concept album initially recorded in 1974 that turned up in the form of a one and only Apple Corps London master acetate record found on eBay. This master acetate has since been acquired by The National Music Archives in Wellington, where Chris also performed a lunchtime auditorium concert to conclude the ‘Woodsheddin’ launch tour.
Chris opens with an acoustic set of mostly original songs from his recent releases as well as some of his classics, then joins the psychedelic goth rock band The Dirt Band on electric guitar. The band has reformed especially for these two gigs, and hark back to a period of prolific and creative music around Hamilton in the early 2000s. Originally formed some 20 years ago in Raglan, the members are now more widely dispersed and comprise Hollis Vallis (Taupo) vocals and guitar, Joey Vallis (Auckland) bass, Chris Thompson (Hamilton) Fender Telecaster guitar, and Barry Lafferty (Hamilton) on drums. The style is their own, with shades of The Doors, Cream, Crazy Horse, and Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds.
Catch Chris in Tauranga on Sunday 9 May at 4pm at The Jam Factory. Tickets available here and on the door.
Or see him in Hamilton on Friday 14 May at 7pm at Never Project Space in Frankton. Door sales only.
