Mission Concert takes a gap year

Friday, November 14th, 2014

For the first time since 1993 that The Mission Concert, held annually at Mission Vineyards in Taradale, will not be staged at the end of summer in 2015.

The February concert had been postponed until a suitable act could be found, the Sports Entertainment Limited chairman James Erskine said.

“The search for a suitable act had been fruitless so far this year and rather than continue to ask for patience from the many thousands of loyal concert fans who attend annually, SEL had made a decision to postpone.”

Erskine said discussions with agents and managers continued but supporters and suppliers needed time to make arrangements and this could not be delayed any longer.

“It’s a hiatus only. There will be a 23rd Mission Concert announced in the future and the tradition will continue.”

Mission Vineyards is New Zealand’s only 19th century winery, established in 1851 by French missionaries.

Concerts began there in 1993.

Over the years they’ve featured artists including Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Ray Charles, Kenny Rogers and the Beach Boys.

SEL took charge in 2003, bringing the likes of Sir Cliff Richard to the stage.

Since then Olivia Newton John, Eric Clapton, Sting, Carole King and Barry Gibb have all played at the vineyards, culminating in Ronan Keating performing last year.

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