The capital of Clutha district is one of five towns — and the only South Island one — in the running to win an "encore concert" from the band as an extension of its recently completed Grassroots Aotearoa Tour.
The town with the most votes wins the prize and the Clutha Youth Council is on the hunt for online votes to bring legendary band to Balclutha’s new venue Te Pou Ō Mata-Au (Tpoma).
Clutha District Mayor Bryan Cadogan, a Six60 fan, said about 10 years ago the youth council had talked with Six60, which was at that time "fired-up" for a Balclutha concert at Telford’s massive indoor equestrian centre.
"And right at that moment, their success exploded and they were offered opportunities overseas they couldn’t pass up."
He told RNZ that around that time he actually bumped into the band in Dunedin’s Octagon and had a beer with them and they had "promised us they would come to Clutha when they got the time".
"And now’s the time."
He had to "admit we were having a beer, so it’s got to be taken in context", though there was definitely an IOU situation in play.
The Grassroots Aotearoa Tour featured gigs in smaller venues around the motu, from Piha’s 100-seat surf club to 50,000 fans at Western Springs.
Six60’s promoters said the band enjoyed the Kiwi hometown tour so much they created the online vote to decide the location of one final show.
Balclutha’s brand new, state-of-the-art auditorium is the only southern venue in the running against other possibilities in Palmerston North, Whangarei, Rotorua and Raglan.
Tpoma facilities co-ordinator Olivia Forbes said Six60’s producers contacted them, more than happy with Tpoma’s potential and to outline dates if they did win the voting.
"It’s awesome how council and local people are getting behind the push to make it happen here."
The band’s promoters indicated gig dates towards late August.
Clutha youth councillor Priya Baskar said the band had worked "really hard" with local inclusion, diversity and health initiatives.
"An event like this would be an amazing reward.
"Picture the music, the excitement — a real night to remember right here in our district.
"Please vote — we need to rally together to bring Six60 to our town."
Voting, at onemoreshow.co.nz, ends at midnight on Sunday.
The winning venue will be announced on Tuesday.
