Exploding Rainbow Orchestra Songbook Volume Three Auckland Shows Announced

The full-spectrum rainbow I spotted hovering above Karangahape Road this morning was like nature's own gig flyer heralding the return of Exploding Rainbow Orchestra, featuring a wonderfully stacked cast over two nights at Tāmaki Makaurau's Hopetoun Alpha this October. For those not yet in the loop, Exploding Rainbow Orchestra is the "maximalist extravagant orchestral and psychedelic polyphonic ensemble" helmed by bandleader and conductor Joshua Worthington-Church (Princess Chelsea's Dream Warriors, Mammalien), who has invited some of Aotearoa's finest to each write and perform a brand new song for his prismatic multi-generational, multi-genre project. These new works will be transmuted into a full big band arrangement and played live by the all-star ensemble, never to be repeated in the same fashion outside of these unique events.

The fourteen strong lineup of talents for Exploding Rainbow Orchestra Songbook Volume Three would make a festival planner blush, including DBLDBL, Diggy Dupé, Erny Belle, Finn Johansson, Grecco Romank, Hales, Jazmine Mary, Julia Deans, Keira Wallace, Lucy Suttor (Dick Move), Mousey, Oliver Devlin (Hans Pucket), RNZŌ., and WAIWHAI. Come witness the musical magic this coming spring — the bill is the same for both nights and so supercharged it's worth heading along twice! Tickets go live this Friday, including "a healthy allocation of concession priced tickets to make the music accessible to all," here are the details...

Exploding Rainbow Orchestra - Songbook Volume Three
featuring DBLDBL, Diggy Dupé, Erny Belle, Finn Johansson, Grecco Romank, Hales, Jazmine Mary, Julia Deans, Keira Wallace, Lucy Suttor (Dick Move), Mousey, Oliver Devlin (Hans Pucket), RNZŌ., WAIWHAI
Wednesday 9th October and Thursday 10th October - Hopetoun Alpha, Auckland (same lineup both nights)
Tickets on sale HERE via UTR

Experience the official trailer for Exploding Rainbow Orchestra Songbook Volume Three...

Press release:

Last year was a special year for the Exploding Rainbow Orchestra, with two triumphant star-studded performances of the Exploding Rainbow Orchestra’s Songbook Volume Two, and a “breathtaking, goosebump-inducing” (YouTube comment) version of The Front Lawn’s Andy with Vera Ellen at the 2023 APRA Silver Scroll Awards | Kaitito Kaiaka.

Now, as winter’s rain begins to subside and make way for the hope of a glorious Tāmaki Makaurau spring, bandleader and conductor Joshua Worthington-Church has unveiled the details of the eagerly awaited Exploding Rainbow Orchestra Songbook Volume Three shows.

This year’s roster promises to be the most expansive yet. Fourteen songwriters and artists from across the motu invited to each write and perform a brand new song. Each new work will be specially arranged with backing from this maximalist extravagant orchestral and psychedelic polyphonic ensemble.

Happening at the majestic Hopetoun Alpha on Wednesday 9th and Thursday 10th October, the Exploding Rainbow Orchestra Songbook Volume Three will include the phenomenal talents of DBLDBL, Diggy Dupé, Erny Belle, Finn Johansson, Grecco Romank, Hales, Jazmine Mary, Julia Deans, Keira Wallace, Lucy Suttor (Dick Move), Mousey, Oliver Devlin (Hans Pucket), RNZŌ., and WAIWHAI.

Already a musical extravaganza of epic proportions, The Exploding Rainbow Orchestra Songbook Volume Three is set to raise the bar on previous years in every way, from the beautiful new venue to the wild array of musically variegated talent. With powerful punks to righteous rappers, rock stars to folk heroes, and everything in between, expect to see familiar faces and discover new favourites.

We don’t want anyone to miss out on this joy and madness; both shows will have a healthy allocation of concession priced tickets to make the music accessible to all.