Idol worship Waitangi concert draws thousands

MARK TAYLOR/Waikato Times

FAN FARE: Part of the crowd that turned up at Hamilton’s Garden Place on Saturday to watch Australian Idol and former Waikato boy Stan Walker.

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They hung from trees, packed inner city rooftops, gathered at hotel windows and even climbed lamp posts – anything to see Australian Idol winner Stan Walker perform live in Hamilton on Saturday.

Up to 10,000 people crammed into Garden Place where the former Hamilton Boys High School student was the clear drawcard for Waitangi Day celebrations.

Fans screamed as Walker, surrounded by security guards, ran the gauntlet between Sky City and the temporary stage in Garden Place where he sang a dozen songs – many of which made him the red hot favourite and subsequent winner of the Australian singing competition.

"Before all of this I didn't even know what Youtube was – but I went online and found out that this song was one of the most viewed videos – so I sung it," he laughed, referring to the Prince classic Purple Rain. His set continued with Beyonce's Sweet Dream and his own chart-topping song Little Black Box – the once struggling Waikato boy proving he is destined for a stellar singing career.

Other performers included Northland Reggae Band 1814 and Maori soul singer Maisey Rika from Bay of Plenty, while throughout the day various youth and cultural groups also entertained the festive crowd. The free performance capped off Waitangi Day activities organised by Te Runanga o Kirikiriroa.

Chairman Matiu Jackson said the day had surpassed expectations. "When you look at the number of people here, the age groups, the families and the tamariki – it's a different venue from previous Waitangi celebrations at Innes Common, but I believe it has worked well."

Mr Jackson said it was good to bring people into the city and with the full support of the Hamilton City Council and central business association, he believed the day would continue to grow.

However, some concert goers weren't sold on the move to Garden Place. Waikato dairy farmer Jo Henry said she and her partner had been coming to the Waitangi Day celebrations for four years, paying a relief milker to take over farm duties. "I think the Hamilton lake makes for a more humbling experience, there is a feeling there of togetherness and it's more open," Ms Henry said.

Despite the burning of the Union Jack flag early in the day by a group supporting republicanism, the crowd was well behaved.

 See more pictures, page 5

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