Bell gig christens new civic centre

Country-pop fans were dancing in the aisles and at Kaylee Bell’s feet last night, at the...
Country-pop fans were dancing in the aisles and at Kaylee Bell’s feet last night, at the Balclutha stop of her "Nights Like This" tour. PHOTO: NICK BROOK
Kaylee Bell christened the Te Pou ō Mata-Au Clutha District Memorial & Community Centre in Balclutha last night — the centre’s first big-ticket performing artist.

The rising country music star said it was great to be in Balclutha and she had an affinity for small towns.

Launching her latest album with an Australasian tour, the rising Kiwi country-pop star saddled up in the South.

"I was born and raised in a small town and grew up travelling to talent contests in other small towns," the Waimate native, who now lives in Nashville, said.

"The towns are getting bigger as my music reaches more people, and spending a lot of time in big cities now is a great part of that.

"Small towns have the spirit I want to feel in my music ... When they asked out of the blue if we’d like to add Balclutha ... being the first big, live performance in a brand-new venue in my kind of town, seemed lucky in a good old-fashioned, country kind of way."

Capacity for the show was about 500 and it was sold out.

Balclutha was the ninth date on the tour so far and Bell and her four piece band were really hitting their straps. A giant KB sign blazed up as the backdrop and with Bell comfortably at home lighting up centre stage, she was clearly ready to ride on into the world.

nick.brook@odt.co.nz