The Eastern (from left) Adam McGrath, Jess Shanks and Flora
Knight are now on a 28-date national tour that takes in
Arrowtown on February 15. Photo supplied.
Raw country music with poetic and political lyrics are
the hallmarks of the Eastern, and Wakatipu music fans will hear
their ''bare knuckle'' music for themselves when the
hard-working Lyttelton band arrives in Arrowtown.
With an original sound described in the same breath as Bruce
Springsteen's working-class balladry, the rambunctious
Pogues, whisky-voiced Steve Earle, pub rocking Dr Feelgood
and Cold Chisel's open-road truths, the Eastern has played
almost 200 nights a year around New Zealand, Australia and
the United States over the past six years.
Its eponymous debut album was followed by Arrows and
Hope & Wire and it has toured and opened for
Fleetwood Mac, Steve Earle twice, Old Crow Medicine Show
twice and Jimmy Barnes, among others.
It played free gigs all around Christchurch in the aftermath
of the February 22, 2011 earthquake.
Guitarist Adam McGrath and banjo player Jess Shanks are the
core players, although up to seven musicians have joined on
occasions.
Arts on Tour New Zealand has announced it is supporting the
Eastern on an extensive six-week tour of heartland New
Zealand, starting from Taumarunui right back to its home
town.
• The Eastern Town Like Here AOTNZ Tour
arrives in the Arrowtown Athenaeum Hall on February 15 at
7.30pm. Tickets $20 from the Lakes District Museum.
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