Black Seeds pumped up by success abroad

The Black Seeds are energised after their first official tour of the United States and their latest tour of Europe, and intend to bring that energy to Queenstown, co-vocalist and percussionist Daniel Weetman says.

The double platinum-selling Wellington band plays its first concert in its own right in the Wakatipu at the Queenstown Memorial Hall tomorrow night, the second gig of its 11-date nationwide tour with John Brown's Body.

The Black Seeds supported the eight-piece American reggae act for 15 dates over three weeks from coast to coast in the US last month.

Weetman said the two bands complemented each other's sounds and they had become mutual fans.

The New Zealand tour coincides with the release today of the first live album by the Black Seeds, on CD and DVD.

Weetman said the Black Seeds had enjoyed performing at winter festivals and thanked Queenstown and Wanaka music fans for their support.

The band had honed its live show during the northern hemisphere expedition and was now ready for New Zealand.

"We're playing the songs a lot better and playing with a band like John Brown's Body makes us step up our performance.

"The US was great. We really want to get back there again and just focus on one area. The Americans were really into us and had travelled quite a few hours to come to our shows."

The Seeds also had the crowds jumping in Edinburgh, Dublin, Bristol, Birmingham and London, then they hopped over the English Channel to Europe.

Overseas New Zealanders gave them a rapturous welcome.

"The French are loving the music, but I think they're just working us out. The Kiwis were really into it in Paris and Marseilles, but the French were kind of reserved.

"Germany was really good for us - Berlin and Hamburg. And our last one in Switzerland, over 400 people turned up and it was only the second time we'd played there.

"Once again, the Kiwis are feeding off us and the locals are feeding off them."

• The Black Seeds with support by John Brown's Body, Queenstown Memorial Hall, Thursday, October 29. Doors open at 8pm. R18. Tickets cost $36 from Play It Again Records in Queenstown and Wanaka, Queenstown Events Centre, i-Site Queenstown and Wanaka plus Ticketdirect.