CONTEMPORARY CONCERTO
WORDS: Liam Stretch PHOTOS: Supplied
In March, Ōtautahi is set to be shakin’ a tail feather, as Synthony takes over the city at Christchurch Arena. The genuinely unique performance showcases three decades of the best dance music, with some special guests along the way.
The Kiwi produced night out, which has been running for four years, is described as ‘no ordinary orchestral experience’.
Founded by DJ and producer Erika Amoore and David Elmsy, the first show in Auckland sold out in 2017 and received unprecedented praise. Since then, Synthony has gone from strength to strength, and in 2019 it sold out across New Zealand and flew the show across the ditch to Australia.
This year’s show is set to be its biggest ever and will support the ongoing industry recovery from COVID-19.
Erika Amoore says that Synthony is a multi-faceted experience, “...imagine a symphony orchestra, a DJ, and an epic backdrop of visuals, lasers, and a state-of-the-art sound system.”
The show endeavours to take the audience on a trip through history via some of the most iconic electronic music of the last 30 years. From Eurythmics to Basement Jaxx, and Fat Boy Slim, to Avicii, Pink Floyd, and Eric Prydz.
“Track after track, fans are taken down memory lane, celebrating dance music that has been embedded into their subconscious. It’s a magical, uplifting, hands-in-the-air dance party like no other,” Erika says.
2021 will see a special feature artist grace the stage. Jason Kerrison, of Opshop fame, is excited for the prospect of performing and says it is like nothing else.
“To be honest, I don’t have anything I could compare it to. I love it. I’m hoping they ask me back as much as possible, it’s a really awesome experience as a performer.”
“It’s more than just a show – it has the sophistication and grandeur of big orchestral arrangements that are lavishly layered with sweaty, punishing beats, and big tent synth drops that take the audience on a journey,” Jason says.
Joining Jason will be some of New Zealand’s musical cream of the crop. Conductor Peter Thomas has a plethora of orchestral experience to his baton, and arranger Ryan Youens has worked with conductors and orchestra the world over; helping to produce music for the likes of The Hobbit movie franchise.
As a totally unique orchestral experience, one was intrigued as to how such an act differed from a regular performance.
“It’s more complex because we’re mixing in more elements – vocalists, solo instrumentalists, and a DJ. Although, in saying that, from the orchestra’s point of view, the reading and rehearsing of music is similar to that for a classical performance,” says Peter.
He says the main difference stems from how the crowd behaves. “Rather than being sat down and listening quietly, the crowd is dancing, jumping, singing, and sometimes screaming along to the music. That presents a challenge for us, and we sometimes need to rely on our wits to get around it, but we adapt to it by wearing headphones to hear the music and to keep in time with the electronic elements from the DJ.”
For those looking to kick off 2021 right, Synthony is sure to be an event to remember.
“The power of the orchestra with the dance tracks plus the surge of energy from the vocalists and the amazing audience all combine to create a rather potent mix. It’s a great time,” says Peter.