Event organiser Lauren Kerr-Bell is excited at the prospect of bringing original music into public spaces. “Our aim as an organisation is to support original live music and up and coming bands, we want to showcase styles of music that you don’t always see in free outdoor public concerts”.
From 12pm onwards Garden Place will showcase up and coming new bands, along with established local music veterans Looking for Alaska with Downtown Sounds concert. Then towards the night festival street festival party vibes will hit Victoria on the River.
“As part of the Saw Wave event, we have combined forces with several other events which were postponed due to lockdown earlier in the year.” says Ms Kerr-Bell
“This is an amazing collective effort from event organisers in the arts community to something different to the CBD. For Saw Wave we have joining us Bridge City Walls Street Art Battle with DJ’s and MC’s, a Creatives Market and Free Lunch Street Theatre doing an immersive human statue”
Bands performing at Saw Wave include local and national artists Raiza Biza, Louisa Nicklin and Bitter Defeat with more to be announced.
“We are thrilled that Raiza Biza and Louise Nicklin will be playing Saw Wave.” says Ms Kerr-Bell. “Both artists were part of the original Hamilton Gardens Festival line up which unfortunately could not take place due to COVID 19 restrictions. Both have reputation for incredible live shows”
Local musician Raiza Biza has spent the last decade touring Australia, Europe and China. He also got the opportunity to work with renowned producer Mike Elizondo (Eminem, Kimbra, Sheryl Crow) as part of the NZ Music Commission Songwriters Series perfecting his craft. More recently he has graced the stage at Splore Festival. Joining him for his Saw Wave performance will be mural street arts and Boon Creative Director Craig McClure aka Magic Darts who will be doing live visuals to accompany the music.
Hailing from Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau singer-songwriter Louisa Nicklin has made waves over the last several years. Her warm, lush voice combined with ethereal folk-influenced sound has seen her touring the country and performing on RNZ. Louisa known previously for her classical composition work has cemented her place an established solo music artist, mixing genres with her own alternative folk rock.
Rounding up the Saw Wave line up is local artists is Bitter Defeat. The band recently released their latest EP Minor Victory (2021) to critical acclaim from music media critics both within New Zealand and abroad. The band's music made it to BBC Radio and saw them supporting respected Flying Nun bands The Chills and The Bats.
“They have been a highlight on the local music scene awhile, so we are really pleased to have them as part of the Saw Wave line up”.
For more information on Saw Wave:
Date: Sat 21 May 2022
Time: 5pm
Location: Victoria on The River
Admission: Free
FB Event: https://bit.ly/3kDJiWM
Many thanks to our incredible sponsors:
Love the Centre, Hamilton Central Business Association, Hamilton City Council, Creative Communities Scheme Creative NZ, Trust Waikato, Wel Energy Trust, The Hum, Free FM, Phantom Billstickers and high fives NZ Music Month.
