Building on the success of  the first Mercury Music Festival, they will again be warming up your Queen’s Birthday weekend with two days of world class musical talent which covers an amazing variety of genres from blues , reggae,  rock and indie to funk, gospel and jazz.  There is literally music for every taste. 

With support of local businesses and the TCDC, the organisers will create a “Village of Music”  out of central Whitianga.  The “Village” will comprise a fan trail-inspired festival atmostphere with stalls,  buskers and talent, connecting our two main venues - the Whitianga Hotel Garden Bar and the Town Hall - with surrounding bars and restaurants.    The centre of Whitianga will become a hub of song,  dance  and fun for vistors and locals alike making Whitianga into an obvious destination for Queen’s Birthday Weekend.

The artist line up is  still a work in progress,  but some great artists have already confirmed.    New to the festival this year will be legendary session player Louie Shelton with his smooth guitar licks. Louie is a Musician's Hall of Fame inductee and member of the famous Wrecking Crew.  He is one of the most influential guitarist’s of the last five decades because of his session work with artist, Boz Scaggs, Lionel Richie, Jackson Five, the Monkees, Joe Cocker and many others.  The consummate professional, Louie’s style of playing has no boundaries, drawing from Blues, R&B, Jazz, Rock, Fusion and Modern Pop Culture.

Also coming to the festival is amazing blues/jazz  guitarist, Paul Urbana Jones who has shared the stage with various artists, including Taj Mahal, Keb Mo, Norah Jones, Bob Dylan, Tuck and Patti, Crowded House. Other new artists to the festival include Maori soul singer, Indie Rock artist Jed Parsons,  blues artist, Darren Watson, Sean James Donnelly, aka SJD, and The Nukes.  This is just a taste.

Many of the favourites from last year are also returning to the Mercury Music Festival, including Anita Prime, Caitlin Smith, Brass in Pocket, Soul Sax plus, Dylan Wade, The Mercury Bay Big Band, and many more.

An up to date list of artists and genres can be found on www.mercurybaymusicfestival.co.nz/line-up/

Many of our vistiting artists will also be leading our hands-on workshops where they will be tutoring smaller groups of festival attendees sharing their techniques and experiences.  Attendance of workshops is open to all ages and all  skills.  Some of the confirmed workshop at this early stage are Jed Parsons – Songwriting Magic; The Nukes – Crazy Ukulele;  Louie Shelton – Love of Guitar workshop and Anita Prime – vocals and performance.  Keep posted for more workshops to come.

The Mercury Music Festival 2017 is a Creative Mercury Bay event which is only possible by partnerships with the TCDC, Trust Waikato and Pub Charity. Gold sponsors are The Mercury Bay Informer, The Whitianga Hotel, Mercury Bay Events Trust, More FM, Penninsula Roofing and Richardsons Real Estate.  New World and Wendy Lidgard, Dentist are are also sponsors. 

More information can be found on http://www.mercurybaymusicfestival.co.nz.  Tickets are on sale now on EventFinda.