Undergrand

Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival 2024 presents Undergrand, a piano performance in a range of compelling locations. Imagine a piano in a park, atop a volcano, on a beach at sunset, in a forest in the late afternoon, on a busy city street with a musician tinkling the ivories...

Creating a surreal atmosphere in tune with leaves, water, the breeze, city traffic and people, Undergrand – a portable baby grand piano – pops up all over Tāmaki Makaurau, with music that moves the spirit and gives us reason to pause and reflect.

With a curated selection of talented rangatahi and professional pianists playing all styles and genres, along with an opportunity for public to share their talents, this pop up piano presents a range of recitals and unforgettable experiences that will undoubtedly make your day better, wherever you may be.

Undergrand travels to Piha, Cornwall Park, Mahurangi, Māngere Maunga, Takutai Square, Queen Street, Mission Bay, Manukau, Devonport, Sylvia Park, Henderson, Wenderholm Regional Park and Takapuna, and will close the Festival with live family karaoke in Aotea Square.

Meet our Pianist: Karl Benton.

Having worked in the New Zealand music industry as an educator, performer, and creative for over thirty years Karl has extensive experiences in many fields including studio recording, band arranging, music direction, touring, teaching and artist mentoring. He has represented New Zealand as a musician many times over and performed and toured with iconic New Zealand artists such as Kantuta, Ardijah, Che Fu, Jackie Clarke, Jason Eli/Groovadelica Records and John Rowles.