NEWS: Bic Runga Announces Dates For 2011 Classic Hits Acoustic Church Tour

Bic Runga is one of just a handful of New Zealand musicians who have truly earned the title ‘iconic’. Her songs are etched into the country’s consciousness. This supremely talented writer, recording artist and performer will return to headline the 2011 Classic Hits Acoustic Church Tour this November & December.  

Runga, who played the first Acoustic Church Tour in 2004, releases her fourth studio album, due out in mid November. Fans will get to hear not only the old favorites like 'Sway', 'Something Good', 'Get Some Sleep' and 'Winning Arrow', but her brand new material, including her first single in five years – 'Hello, Hello' -  in New Zealand’s most majestic Churches, Chapels and Cathedrals.

Now in its fourth year, The Classic Hits Acoustic Church Tour has expanded to 17 shows in 12 cities, with Whangarei, Pukekohe, Masterton and Timaru added to the bill for the first time. The tour will return to Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Napier, Palmerston North, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargill.

Since her first single ‘Drive’ in 1996 – a top ten hit when she was just 20 – Bic has been awarded almost every musical honour in the country, including the APRA Silver Scroll Songwriting Award, countless Tuis and multi-platinum discs. Her debut album Drive (1997) went platinum seven times; Beautiful Collision followed in 2002 (eleven times platinum) and Birds in 2005 (triple platinum).

Bic is looking forward to returning to the Classic Hits Acoustic Church Tour:

“This will be my first major tour on my own for several years and I’m really happy to be performing again. I'm excited by the ambience of Churches and looking forward to returning to a number that I played at in 2004. In these Churches, Chapels and Cathedrals I'll be playing with my band, Mint Chicks’ Kody Nielsen & Michael Logie (bass) and at times solo.”

Says co-promoter Brent Eccles “It's a pleasure as always to be working with Bic again, her first Church tour in 2004 was unforgettable and her voice and songs really suit the Church environment. I'm sure that this tour will be special.”

The Classic Hits Acoustic Church Tour is an acoustic show in three parts commencing with an opening act followed by Bic’s performance in two sets. Doors open at 7.00pm and show concludes at approximately 10.30pm.
 
Full dates and venues are listed below. Tickets are on sale from Monday 03 October through the Acoustic Church Tour website and Ticketek.  Full tour, date and venue details can be found at www.acousticchurchtour.co.nz or www.classichits.co.nz.
 
Runga’s fourth studio album - Belle - is due for release on Monday 14th November.  Listen to the first single 'Hello, Hello' below.

Bic Runga - Hello, Hello
 

Tour Information

Thursday 17 November at Central Baptist Church, Whangarei
Friday 18 November at Holy Trinity, Tauranga
Saturday 19 November at Chapel of Christ The King, Hamilton
Monday 21 November at Franklin Baptist Church, Pukekohe
Tuesday 22 November at Holy Trinity Cathedral, Auckland
Wednesday 23 November at Holy Trinity Cathedral, Auckland
Friday 25 November at St John’s Cathedral, Napier
Saturday 26 November at All Saints Church, Palmerston North
Monday 28 November at St Matthew’s Anglican Church, Masterton
Tuesday 29 November at Wellington Cathedral, Wellington
Wednesday 30 November at Wellington Cathedral, Wellington
Friday 02 December at St Michael & All Angels, Christchurch
Saturday 03 December at St Michael & All Angels, Christchurch
Monday 05 December at St Mary’s Church, Timaru
Tuesday 06 December at Knox Church, Dunedin
Wednesday 07 December at at Knox Church, Dunedin
Thursday 08 December at First Presbyterian Church, Invercargill

Full tour, date and venue details can be found at www.acousticchurchtour.co.nz or www.classichits.co.nz.