Chrisfest Fundraiser Announced ft. Kendall Elise, Dick Move, RATSO, Adam McGrath, Video Nasty, The Bloody Souls + More

Aotearoa's live music community are rallying for Chrisfest, a fundraiser supporting local legend Chris Kemp, husband of (and drummer with) Kendall Elise, who has been diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease (MND), a brutal degenerative condition with a life expectancy of two to three years. Hosted at Tāmaki Makaurau's new Double Whammy and Public Bar on 27th September, the all-ripper bill of friends pledging their love at Chrisfest includes acts travelling from all around Aotearoa. Scope out the full lineup and read the official lowdown from the organisers below. Please consider heading along and supporting this crucial cause — you can also donate directly to Chris and his whānau's Givealittle page HERE.

In October of 2023, our good friend Chris Kemp was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease (MND), an impossibly cruel disease that typically comes with a life expectancy of two to three years. Everything changes in an instant, as they say, and upon learning of his diagnosis, Chris determined he wouldn’t let the sucker take him lying down.

“Life is not the same anymore, it is a horrible progressive disease with little to no treatment,” says Chris, “but I'm here, still working, still complaining and still dreaming about what the future holds. I'm doing all I can to slow the beast down with the support of close family and friends.”

As a husband, a father, and a legendary member of the Aotearoa music community, Chris Kemp means a heck of a lot to a lot of people. So, on Friday 27 September across Double Whammy and Whammy Public Bar, the music community is rallying together to throw on a big old party to pull the middle finger to Motor Neuron Disease and help raise some funds for mobility aids, home modifications, and ongoing treatments, as well as helping to make new memories with his wife Kendall and his kids.

In the months since his diagnosis, Chris has come out all guns blazing to create awareness and live, laugh, love like a wild stallion, even completing the gruelling Sky Tower Climb for the Leukaemia and Blood Cancer NZ charity, as well as other madcap schemes to raise money for Motor Neuron Disease New Zealand!

Tickets are a steal at only $20, with an option to pay more if you can. Every bit helps to fight this fucker and help our mate Chris kick Motor Neuron Disease in the nuts.

If you can’t make the show, or just want to chip in, a good buddy of Chris has set up a Givealittle fundraiser online. Chris has also shared an article that helps explain the tragic nature of this unfair disease, and is intent on raising awareness about MND in general.

Come on down, have a drink, have a hug, have a laugh and a bloody good cry if you want to. We’ll leave the final word here to the man himself.

“Life is a precious gift, use it to the fullest. Everyday here is a good day. I will see you all soon xxxxx” - Chris Kemp

CHRISFEST: A NIGHT OF MUSIC & LOVE RAISING MONEY FOR CHRIS KEMP & HIS WHĀNAU AFTER HIS MOTOR NEURON DISEASE DIAGNOSIS

with DICK MOVE, DURTY MURDUR, BETH TORRANCE, RATSO, ADAM MCGRATH (THE EASTERN), THE BADS, MIKE HALL, KENDALL ELISE BAND, WILL SAUNDERS, THE BLOODY SOULS, CELINE, KIRSTEN WARNER, VIDEO NASTY, DJ NANCY RAY GUN

Friday 27th September - Double Whammy & Whammy Public Bar, Auckland

Tiered donation tickets on sale HERE via UTR
This is a wheelchair accessible event

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