Fiddlesticks

Fiddlesticks present twin fiddles, a melting pot of styles, originals, vocals, bass and guitar.

“On our honeymoon, Fiddlesticks was the name we came up with for our musical vision, a twin fiddle duo being, us Karen and Alistair (Jacko) Jackson. Since then what a journey! Fiddlesticks played professionally for ten years as a duo, inevitably developing into a family band as sons George and Mackenzie accompanied us around the country. Fiddlesticks and Double Trouble toured NZ and Australia for another ten years until the boys flew the coup. Whilst living in Alice Springs Australia, Fiddlesticks morphed into a four piece band. Now back in NZ, Fiddlesticks are a trio which includes wonderful Carol Rose.

We loved our sixteen years in Australia, cherished the many challenges and opportunities that presented with music, partnerships and influences. Some of the highlights of our time in Australia include: performing and touring r the Queensland Arts Council; being very involved in the Fiddle Club community around Australia; founding and directing the Sunshine Fiddle Camp; in 2018 running the Fiddlers Rally at the National Folk Festival and having been members of the Shetland Fiddle group Hjaltibonhoga in the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo the two times it toured Australia.

Our last six years in Australia saw us settle in the Northern Territory and we were surrounded by music, culture, and opportunity. Karen worked as a strings teacher and founded the Desert Fiddle Club. The Fiddlesticks Band had a residency at a local recycle café, which seemed fitting. Jacko found a new passion in Klezmer music whilst Karen rekindled her passion of Traditional Scottish music.

Since arriving on the West Coast we have settled into the vibrant culture of Barrytown. We met up with fellow West Coaster Carol Rose, who became the third member of Fiddlesticks, and is a well known and valued Kiwi Folkie, who with her husband Steve, ran the Tui Music Festival for nineteen years and was a founder and member for twenty years of the claimed Celtic singing group Cairde from Nelson. Carol joins us on bass, guitar and vocals.

In addition we are excited to confirm Marg Collins from Australia will join us for our NZ gigs throughout April 2023. She will be joining us on piano and accordion, adding spice to the Klezmer and Scottish Flavours.

We have guested at the Wellington, Waimate and Hamsterfest Folk Festivals and are energised to keep enjoying the wonderful magic of music!”

Ticketing info...
+ there are no booking fees nor additional fees for this show
+ general admission $30-00
+ members or children $25-00
+ ticket includes complimentary tea and coffee

Bookings...
+ accepted before the day of the show
+ email bluegrass (at) xtra.co.nz, replacing (at) with @
+ include your name, phone contact and the number of tickets required
+ you will receive a reply by email to confirm your booking
+ there are no booking fees nor any additional fees for this event

Notes...
+ on the day, door sales at the venue, from 7:50pm
+ seating is general admission
+ free parking available by or near the venue
+ licensed bar at venue (no BYO allowed)