FRIDAY JUNE 14

MARK LAURENT & BRENDA LIDDIARD

Blues, folk and acoustic rock

For three decades Mark Laurent and Brenda Liddiard have been performing together – ‘indie’ musicians who fly just below the commercial radar, playing grass-roots, mostly unplugged music throughout New Zealand, Australia and the UK.

Mark Laurent

Mark Laurent plays the blues like his life depends on it! His guitar is just about as expressive as his vocals and confirms the guitar hero status that he earned several decades ago when his professional music career kicked off in the 1970s.

Brenda Liddiard

Brenda Liddiard has a voice born of true folk, protest and alt country sentiments. Brenda has been influenced by English and American acoustic music and found her niche as a songwriter during her involvement with environmental and anti-nuclear issues dating from the 70s and 80s. Her album, Box of Memories, was a finalist in the 2013 Tui Awards for Best Folk Album.

“They sing powerful songs gently and gentle songs with such power”

Rosie Holmes, concert organiser

“They sing powerful songs gently and gentle songs with such power”

Rosie Holmes, concert organiser

REVIEWS

“Mark and Brenda are artists who come from the heart. Their music speaks a universal language that seems to touch every audience they play to.

The atmosphere they create is intimate, warm, playful and rich with meaning, and a wise knowing of shared experience that bathes their audience with a sense of belonging”.

Rex McCann, author and event organiser

“The highlight of the entire evening took place when Mark launched into some blues during which he played blistering, brilliant acoustic guitar licks, while voice-mimicking lead guitar sounds note for note, nuance for nuance in a masterful display of technique and taste that stands as one of our clubs most memorable performances to this day. He almost brought the house down.”

Brendan Hanley, Byron Vista Social Club, Byron Bay, NSW

“Thank you, Brenda, for an evening of amazing music. You made us think, cry and laugh with your wonderful heartfelt songs. This was an evening of music never to be forgotten”

Rafters Music Club, Auckland

“This fantastic duo never ceases to amaze me with the diversity of their songs, musicianship and poetry… sublime guitar and mandolin textures and soulful harmonies.”

Mike Moroney, Dunedin Folk Club

“Mark and Brenda are astute and seasoned performers. They are very well known on the acoustic music scene and between them have recorded, or contributed to, over 30 albums. It is very cool that we can host musicians of this calibre.”

Mark Raffills, poet, MC,
Live @ Little & Local

“Mark's brilliance on guitar is matched by Brenda’s instinctive mandolin. Their songs echo issues which touch the lives of us all – and are sung from the heart. No-one should miss this!”

Roger Giles, The Bunker, Devonport

Mark and Brenda present an eclectic mix of material that can be ‘pin drop’ delicate, or sound like a full band! They sometimes pepper their sets with short bursts of poetry and stories of a road well-travelled.

Don‘t miss Mark and Brenda at The Arts Junction on Friday June 14th.