Thousands of people, many with long hair, and of a certain age, descended on Gibbston Valley Winery at the weekend for its annual rock concert.
In its sixth year, the line-up didn't disappoint, with Melissa Etheridge, REO Speedwagon and Huey Lewis and The News taking the stage on Saturday afternoon. First up, Etheridge explained it was just her voice, a bongo drum, a tambourine and a loop pedal.
While taking a selfie with the crowd, she described New Zealand as the most awesome place in the world. Fans were left screaming as she invited REO Speedwagon's frontman Kevin Cronin to join her on stage.
Paying tribute to The Eagles singer Glenn Frey, who died last week the pair started to play, Take It Easy with Etheridge joking with fans the set was completely unrehearsed.
‘‘This is for our friend and everyone who loves rock‘n'roll music,'' she said.
REO Speedwagon got the crowd going with classic rock anthems such as Take It On The Run, Can't Fight This Feeling and Keep On Loving You.
The old-school rockers invited the crowd to dance and sing along.
Power ballads kept coming as the final act of the day, Huey Lewis and The News, took centre stage, playing hits like The Heart of Rock ‘n' Roll, I Want A New Drug, Stuck With You and Hip To Be Square.
The band also did an a cappella set, which got the crowd on its feet. One of those enjoying the music was Deb McBride from Earnscleugh, near Alexandra.
Her children bought her a ticket for Christmas, and she thought she would surprise her best friend Vanessa Smith, from Clyde, by bringing her along.
She thought Melissa Etheridge might have needed a private charter plane, given the number of guitars she brought with her.
‘‘The music has been great today and the vibe in the audience is really good. Everyone is just having a good time.''The weather also decided to play ball and, while it was a windy start to the concert, rain stayed away.
Organiser Amanda Calvert, CEO of Greenstone Entertainment said it was ‘‘a pleasure to see all the families, couples and groups of all ages having such a great time''.
By Louise Scott.
