O'Neill to headline festival

Ex-Nelsonian and celebrated Kiwi pop singer Sharon O'Neill will be performing at Taste Tasman in March.

The event will be held at Tasman School on March 7, where O'Neill will play with a band made up of Nelson musicians.

The eight-piece backing band is learning an hour of O'Neill's hits to perform on the day and includes singer Aly Cook, guitarist Brett Holland, bass guitarist Fraser Campbell, singer Chrissie Small and keyboardists Liam Ryan and Alan Mansfield.

O'Neill's fame peaked in the 80s; her 1983 album Foreign Affairs contained her most popular single, Maxine.

Taste Tasman, which is held every two years, will also feature plenty of children's activities, art, stalls, food and entertainment.

In conjunction with the festival will be the Sound of Tasman Music Seminar. The seminar will include a panel of music experts, including O'Neill, and will be held on March 10 at the Nelson School of Music. Representatives from Apra, Creative New Zealand and the New Zealand Music Industry Association will also attend the day.

Taste Tasman entertainment and publicity co-ordinator Aly Cook says the seminar is for emerging artists to learn about the music industry.

"It's a wonderful opportunity for songwriters and musicians to gain knowledge about everything from songcraft to publishing and funding.

"This is a rare opportunity, both to see Sharon O'Neill perform live in Nelson for a small cost, and to hear music industry professionals speak."

Ms Cook says it's the first time in a number of years that local musicians, songwriters and composers have had the opportunity to take part in such an "industry seminar".

• Nelson musicians Alan Mansfield and Liam Ryan will also help lead the seminar, which will be held at the Nelson School of Music between 10am to 3pm on March 10. Tickets are already on sale at tastetasman.co.nz or the Nelson School of Music.

- © Fairfax NZ News