NZ Tour 2002 News Articles
Bic Runga - Beautiful Collision Tour
Original content copyright 2002 to Sunday Star Times
Original article is at: Sunday Star Times
Date: 15 December, 2002
By: Deidre Mussen
Bic Runga - Beautiful Collision Tour
Christchurch Town Hall
December 12, 2002
SOMETHING good is definitely coming your way. It's been more than four years since tiny pop folkster Bic Runga toured New Zealand solo but patient fans are being well rewarded with her worldwide Beautiful Collision tour.
And what better place to see the 26 year old singer-songwriter than in front of an adoring hometown crowd in Christchurch Town Hall on Thursday.
Auckland band Goldenhorse kicked off with a short set from debut album Riverhead before Australian singer Paul Kelly, joined by nephew Dan Kelly, played his twangy folk ballads.
But the crowd surged when their local lass swept on stage. It was a slow start with Precious Things off Runga's new album Beautiful Collision but picked up with some energetic renditions of Get Some Sleep and Something Good off the same album.
Runga's style flicked from lounge to folk pop, accompanied by a mixed bag band of Pluto and Goldenhorse members plus guitarist Ben Maitland. But she was her captivating best solo, playing the accoustic guitar and singing from her soul. The way her expressive voice transforms simple lyrics into moving tales of life and love was even more impressive live.
This tour gives New Zealand fans a taste of Runga performing live with sister Boh of rock band Stellar*. Their voices blended smoothly and their on-stage playfulness was fun to see.
Runga didn't forget her Christchurch roots, chatting to the near sellout audience like a close friend.
The highlight came in the encore in the form of two old favourites - Drive and Sway, from her hugely successful debut album Drive.
Plans for her third album are under way and she hinted at a return next year. Here's hoping.
-Beautiful Collision Tour: Tonight, Regent on Broadway, Plamerston North; December 17, Municipal Theatre, Napier; 18th & 19th, Baycourt Theatre, Tauranga; 20th, Founders Theatre, Hamilton; 21st, Civic Theatre, Auckland; 22nd, Forum Theatre, Whangarei.
Original content copyright 2002 to Sunday Star Times
