Latest Email Update

2 April 2025

Hello fellow music apprecianados,

I hope this finds you well and coping through these daunting times…. music does help, and it connects us so well đŸŽŒđŸŽ”â˜€ïž

Apologies for this being longer than usual…

Thinking about the suggested donations;- e.g. Jamie McPhail’s Sitting Room Sessions tickets in the Hawkes Bay were $50 seven years ago (pre the establishment of his famous Small Halls Concerts).

For four years HHC has suggested $20 for up to two performers, and $30 for three or more, but that didn’t allow for more established (bigger name) musicians, or for those who have to pay for travel and/or accommodation.
It also wasn’t much for five and six piece bands.
The suggestion now is a range of $20-60 and $30-70 depending on the band (name, number of performers, whether they have to travel etc.). It’ll still be a suggested donation so it’s up to you, and we’d rather you still came than not – we really hope it doesn’t discourage you.
Our wonderful musicians do deserve to be recognised for all they do for us. 
That’s more the purpose of HHC – not about competing with Wellington bars and venues
with HCC we want to provide something a bit different for both the musicians and the audience. 

Your feedback is encouraged 
do please contact me if you’d like to share your thoughts on it. Thank you so much. 

Coming up is ‘Shan’ on Saturday 12 April – Music starts 7.30pm (gate opens 7pm). 
Fabulous Wellington singer, songwriter, and pianist Shan Jordan with Giacomo Caleffi on guitar and drums. The theme of this gig is Journeys, and Shan will be doing some covers including Running up that Hill by Kate Bush, Riding Shotgun by George Ezra, Rolling in the Deep by Adele, and more. The Shan duo arrange sound into expressively lyrical, upliftingly melodious and catching original songs with an international flavour
SO good! Suggested donation $20.

Next after Shan is the first Hilltop all-weekender on Friday 9th, Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th May;-

Clayton Taylor is quite the master at his craft – he’s got the gift for sure. He’s travelling up with Nathan Torvik, a mandolin master, from Nelson especially for this Hilltop weekend. They’ll play two 7.30pm gigs – one on the Friday and one on the Saturday. On Saturday-day, Nate will run a Mandolin Workshop; and on the Sunday afternoon we’re going to have a four-musician Jam Session for an audience. Clayton is essentially ‘The Early Bob’s’ – focussing on some great Dylan.

More detail to come, (and more in the HHC website already) but do please let me know if you’re interested in the Mandolin Workshop as numbers are more limited. 

Following those…here are HHC’s confirmed upcoming gigs with detail and further information still to come (along with additional gigs);-

1st May 2021 was the first ever Hilltop House Concert – played by Rhythm Plant. They’ll be here now four years later, Saturday 24 May 7pm to get us up dancing again!

Matariki Weekend – both Saturday night 21 June 7pm and
Sunday afternoon 22 June 4pm –
The Unsung Heroes …Chris Priestley with Cameron Bennett, Peter Elliott, Nigel Gavin, and Sonia Wilson down from Auckland with their fascinating musical concept – filled with rogues, rebels and folk heroes. They’ll regale us with stories from Aotearoa’s history in the form of theatre, music and song. We’ll hear about Wellington born Nancy Wake, Paddy the Wanderer, and HĆ«riā Matenga the Māori heroine from Nelson, and more. There’ll be a photographic slideshow of historic images as accompaniment. They will be brilliant gigs.

Saturday 12 July 7pm – Turkey the Bird …truly fabulous Auckland folk trio. “injects hoedown-showdown fun, fun, fun and the harmonies shine like diamonds.”

Saturday 19 July 7pm – Harvest Moon …much loved and vibrant local Wellington Americana Country music band.

Sunday 20 July 3pm – The Tempests …vocal duo from Pƍneke, Aotearoa. Two voices one sound. The sweet and soulful harmonies of Jade Eru and Lynley Christoffersen. Weaving vocal magic since “ages ago.”

Saturday 26 July 7pm – (of the Wolves) Albi / Chris Dent with Hannah Morrell …from Auckland and Tasmania with gorgeous indie folk. 

Saturday 9 August 7pm – The Carol Bean Band …Wellington locals play a mix of jazzy blues with a heavy helping of original songs and stylish instrumentation.

Wednesday 1 October 7.30pm – Albi and the Wolves … another fantastic Auckland trio, they fill hearts with hope (exactly what we need) with their energetic and relatable alternative indie folk songs. They have crafted a fantastic stage show…you’ll have fun 😉 

Parking is free and unlimited (after 6pm and all through the weekends) in the coupon zones of Upland Rd & Glasgow St. The Wilson Park at the top of the Cable Car is charged 24/7.

The gate opens 30 minutes before music start.

At each event there will be water, teas, coffee and some snacks provided and you’re welcome to bring anything more you’d like to eat or drink.

For more information, please click on the links and visit the HHC website;-

Hilltop House Concerts Upcoming Events
Hilltop House Concerts Reservations/Bookings
Hilltop House Concerts Website

Also on Facebook – Hilltop Private House Concerts

Please let me know if you’d like to be removed from the HHC mailing list regarding these events and update emails.

It’d be lovely to see you. We do so appreciate your support of these wonderful artists.

Thanks very much, and all the best,

Anna Macfarlane