Christchurch Folk Music Club

Hobnail 25th Anniversary “Boots and All” Tour

14th July 2019 In 2019 Hobnail celebrate 25 years of touring far, wide, and tirelessly throughout New Zealand. To mark the occasion they are embarking on a national tour and releasing a “Best Of” album showcasing tracks taken from their 7 studio albums, we were lucky to have their exuberant talent with us on 14th July for a powerful concert.. Sierra Leone, a cover of the Coconut Rough classic has been with me all week, Hamish’s vocal capabilities added his voice, supplemented with a full voice contrapuntal chorus that added fresh new sounds to a NZ standard. Jo, Caroline, Rob and Hamish all have vocals to add light to the night, the changes in texture between duality and multiplicity add variety that is complimented by the variances of instrumentation.
Many of Hobnail’s much loved tunes came to the fore over the night: String Things, Good Night, Haul Away, Westbound Train, Maria’s Last Words and an imaginative version of Ride On. The audience responded to the impeccable sounds, with raucous applause that showed the appreciation felt. The band themselves valued the time the audience had gifted them as the cricket final also featured that night. There was a slight smattering of empty seats in the second half yet those remaining continued to be treated by the originality of the band combined with world class musicality and texture. This concert was a tremendous celebration of the 25 years of success that has laid a very firm foundation for this quartet of troubadours, we look forward to another 25 years and many many more tuneful songs for our listening pleasure. It will not be a long wait until we can enjoy Hobnail melodies again, as a Saturday night dance is being planned for November. We will let you know. Judi Smitheram Secretary

More Reviews

Fingerpicking Delights VII 2022 6th November 2022

Fingerpicking Delights VII Reviewed by Sarah Maindonald In ancient near Eastern and Israelite culture and literature, the number Seven communicated a sense of ‘fullness’. Tony Hale’s seventh rendition of ‘Fingerpicking Delights’ continued his tradition of excellence...

read more

Fingerpicking Delights VI

Fingerpicking Delights VI, 7 November 2021 Reviewed by Russell Dann   Tony Hale’s sixth edition of Fingerpicking Delights began inauspiciously with a sound glitch which held up the start of the concert. Happily, all was soon well as the sound men expertly got...

read more

BottleLake Junction – 21st March 2021

Thank you to everyone who turned up and supported BotteLake Junction at the Christchurch Folk Music Club concert. A full house is a true recognition of the esteem these three consummate musicians are held in, a great audience and a hard-working band is always a good...

read more

The Lesser Bob Tits: Dames Do Dylan – 23 May 2021

This very special tribute concert, produced by Eileen Reid, brought tunes to commemorate and celebrate the 80th birthday of Bob Dylan. Bringing together a group of fabulous women from a range of musical backgrounds, Isabella Miller Bell, Susan Grant, Lynette Díaz,...

read more

Hillbilly Hoedown – Barndance/Ceilidh 11th July 2021

Brought to you by Gary Elford, supported by the Port Hillbillies and Andrew Redepenning. The music was cheerful and lively, jeans and plaid adorned the room, Appalachian and Bluegrass rhythms intertwined with jigs, reels, polkas and waltzes, and the packed room...

read more

Fingerpicking Delights V

Fingerpicking Delights V 8 November 2020 By Russell Dann The fifth edition in this concert series was a cracking good concert with great artists delivering superb music in a well-balanced programme. It was compered with engaging geniality by Izzy Miller Bell with...

read more

Adam McGrath and Esther Swift Friday 21st February 2020

Adam McGrath and Esther Swift a night of contrast and exceptional musicianship. Esther from the Northern hemisphere brought grace, exquisite techniques that highlight her talented compositions juxtaposing against the raw energy of the Southern hemisphere boy, who...

read more