11 August 2022 - 0 Comments

In what promises to be a night of musical mastery, heartfelt songs and maybe even a few jokes, Bret McKenzie is delighted to announce that after selling out his first Auckland show, he’s added another. The second show will be at The Concert Chamber within Auckland Town Hall on Thursday 15 September. Tickets for this new show will go on sale at midday of Wednesday 17 August.

With his new solo album Songs Without Jokes due out on Friday 26 August, Bret McKenzie has given fans a taste of what we can expect from these shows. First single A Little Tune sets the tone, it’s big band, there’s horns, piano, the works. Second single Dave’s Place plays it a little cooler. With shades of Dire Straits, the album feels like it will be right at home among the 70s/80s record collection. If You Wanna Go is an upbeat piano driven tune which wouldn’t be out of place as the soundtrack cruising down PCH and Tomorrow Today, a driving melodic belter with plenty of synth.

Beginning in Nelson, the tour makes its way further south to Christchurch, before heading to Bret’s hometown playing the Wellington Opera House. The tour then climbs off the beaten track to take in Whanganui and Hastings’ Opera Houses before wrapping up in the bustling metropolis of Auckland for two nights at the Concert Chamber.

Songs Without Jokes was written throughout 2019 between LA and Wellington, Bret was inspired by the path of the Harry Nilsson’s, the Randy Newman’s, and Steely Dan’s of the world. In fact, the album was recorded in LA with an ‘older generation’ of session musicians, including ‘Dean’ the real-life guitarist from Steely Dan.

While the album may be free of traditional punch lines, it doesn’t lack a sense of humour. It showcases a new stage of McKenzie’s career, to be sure, but one that isn’t so far removed from his past work and true artistic self.

Tickets for all shows are on sale now from just $69.90+bf. These shows will be special, trust the intrigue you’re feeling and get in quick.

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