Nadia Reid's Christmas Show 2020

Critically acclaimed Dunedin musician Nadia Reid is continuing her annual tradition at the Port Chalmers Town Hall. Nadia Reid’s Christmas Show, now in its third year, is a festive celebration of local music, artists and talent, under the backdrop of Reid’s spiritual home - Port Chalmers.

After only a week on the market, the original night has sold out and an additional show has been added.

This year spells a change in format for the shows, as Reid will be stepping back from the stage, and will instead act as curator, bringing together some of her favourite acts from around New Zealand.

“It has been my goal from the beginning to eventually step back from the stage and act in a purely curatorial role, I want this concert to become a showcase of great art, and a celebration of togetherness and community,” Reid said.

Reid added that she may, however, still make a cameo appearance or two.

This year’s concert features The Broken Heartbreakers, Michael Cathro, Anthonie Tonnon, Motte and Adelaide Cara.

Dunedin locals Rachel Bailey and John Guy Howell lead The Broken Heartbreakers and will be joined by their band, made up of Craig Monk, Angus McBryde and Paul McLennan-Kissel. This will be the first Dunedin show for the full band in 5 years. With a music career spanning 18 years and four studio albums, The Broken Heartbreakers combine soulful vocals, shimmering guitars, and a seemingly inexhaustible supply of pop hooks.

Michael Cathro is the Dunedin-based singer and songwriter for Ha the Unclear, performing a rare solo set of his pithy, uniquely Dunedin songs on Thursday the 17th. A vibrant writing palette includes tightly crafted pop songs, alt-folk oddities, and left of centre metaphor madness where coffee tables fall in love with their owners and faunal evolutionary boundaries in Indonesia become crumbling long-distance relationships.

Dunedin favourite Anthonie Tonnon will join the bill for Friday the 18th, with his one man band. Tonnon is revered for his sharp hooks and oral storytelling. Born and raised in Dunedin, the now Whanganui resident is a significant player in the national music community, and returns to Dunedin annually for his Railland show, which this year falls the following week, in Portobello.

Motte is the solo project of Lyttelton based violinist and composer Anita Clark. Weaving together a richly textured world she primarily uses violin, effects pedals, samples, and voice. Riding the thin line between beauty and devastation and creating a world solely her own; the sound is modern classical, alt/experimental pop, and improvised noise. Motte has released two albums since 2015, 'Songs For Movies' and 'Strange Dreams', with a third to be released next year. Reid fans will have seen her perform at the Orokonui Ecosanctuary in 2019, performing both as Motte and as part of Reid’s band.

Ōtepoti songwriter/producer Adelaide Cara broke into the local music scene with their work on Repulsive Woman's album ‘Relief’ (Auckland Live Best Independent Debut, 2020 Taite Music Awards) and as the lead singer for post-punk band Milpool. Cara has since been working on the release of their debut album, 'How Does This Sound?', due for release next year. The first single ‘Paranoia!’ was released in August 2020 to high praise, reaching #19 on the NZ Hot Singles Chart, and #1 on the Student Radio Network (SRN) Top Ten.

Since its inception, Nadia Reid’s Christmas Show has cemented itself as a staple in Dunedin’s cultural calendar.