Amplify Aotearoa – Take It to the Bridge is coming to Hamilton’s Clarence Street Theatre on 23 August. This powerful kaupapa brings together some of Aotearoa’s most iconic musicians alongside the next generation of rangatahi to reimagine decades of Aotearoa anthems.
The event pairs well-known New Zealand artists with emerging young musicians to reimagine classic songs, perform them live, and record the music for a vinyl release – uniting legends with the next generation in a shared creative space.
Audiences will experience live performances featuring:
Jason Kerrison, Emlyn Crowther (Split Enz), Harry Lyon (Hello Sailor), Andrew McLennan (Coconut Rough), Nathan King (Zed), Hollie Smith, – each paired with school and rangatahi bands from across Kirikiriroa and the Waikato.
The project also includes exclusive video premieres of collaborations between The Exponents and Don McGlashan with rangatahi, brought to life through cinematic music videos created by Josh Gemmell.
At its heart, Amplify Aotearoa exists to inspire the next generation – showing young people that creativity, collaboration, and bold artistic expression are not only possible, but vital in a world where the arts are often undervalued.
Beyond the stage, the project will culminate in a pressed vinyl record, capturing these intergenerational collaborations and preserving them as taonga.
Recording Session 1 Photos
Recording Session 2 Photos
The album artwork itself is a rare collaboration between three New Zealand icons: Dick Frizzell, Otis Frizzell, and Chris Knox – legendary musician and visual artists.
About the artwork:
The painting is by Chris Knox – one of Aotearoa’s most iconic musicians. He had a stroke in 2009 and no longer performs, but he continues to paint and create. Alongside Dick Frizzell and his son Otis (who also contributed the title and text, Bridge), it feels incredibly special to have Chris involved in this project.
Having a legend like Chris involved – alongside so many other incredible New Zealand artists – means a huge amount to everyone involved.
