24 May 2019

Friday Night Live: A Strange Days Night

From RNZ Music, 8:13 pm on 24 May 2019
Rezonation Choir of St Cuthberts

Rezonation Choir of St Cuthberts perform at A Strange Day's Night, Auckland Town Hall Photo: Andre Upston

The Beatles at Wellington Airport during their New Zealand tour

The Beatles at Wellington Airport during their New Zealand tour Photo: Morrie Hill courtesy ATL

On the June 24th and 25th 1964, four young men – probably the four most famous young men in the world at that time – took to the stage in Auckland Town Hall to perform.

Fifty years to the day and on the exact same stage, the Play It Strange Trust celebrated those appearances by the Beatles by hosting two concerts of music by the Liverpudlians.

For A Strange Days Night the trust invited some established musicians along, including Tim Finn, Mike and Geoff Chunn and Eddie Rayner all ex Split Enz, Jason Kerrison (Op Shop), Rikki Morris (Tex Pistol), Fiona McDonald (Headless Chickens, Straw People), but in accordance with the trust’s main purpose – to encourage the development of song-writing skills in young New Zealanders – they also feature non-established musicians.

RNZ was there to record the two nights with the support of the RNZ Concert Trust, and here are the highlights, including several Beatle favourites, Let It Be, Norwegian Wood, Here Comes the Sun, Come Together, Ticket To Ride, Taxman and While My Guitar Gently Weeps.

A Strange Days Night recorded live at the Auckland Town Hall June 2014 by engineer Andre Upston for RNZ Music.

 

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