Late '90s smash hit band Stellar* are heading our way this month for Go Live Festival at the Christchurch Town Hall. Cityscape caught up with bassist Kurt Shanks to get the low-down.

Are you amped for your first Go Live Festival? We heard so many great things from friends in Christchurch about the previous Go Live Festival, so we were delighted to be asked to be part of this year’s event. I’m particularly looking forward to checking out a lot of the new bands playing, and wandering around the various rooms. It’s shaping up to be an indoor all-local Big Day Out type vibe. Lots of fun. We’re also keen to meet some new faces at the seminars during the day.

How do the Christchurch crowds treat you? Christchurch crowds have always been great to us. Boh and Andrew are obviously originally from Christchurch, and there’s some fans who remember them cutting their teeth back in the ‘80s performing in covers band Amez Amez. So the association with Christchurch goes back a long way. Christchurch’s support for Stellar* has always been immense. One of our most memorable shows was the Bridge of Remembrance around ’99, and a huge one at the arena when Stellar*, The Feelers and Zed were playing together.

We’re guessing you’ve performed at the Town Hall before. How does it rate as a venue? We’ve performed at the James Hay Theatre in the Town Hall two years ago. Fabulous venue. All of the spaces in the Town Hall are wonderful, especially the main room where I’ve promoted shows by the Stranglers and The Proclaimers, just after it reopened. Huge credit to everyone involved in the painstaking restoration and rebuild.

Stellar* are Kiwi music veterans now, reforming in 2017 after an eight-year hiatus. How do you keep things fresh and relevant for younger audiences? Our music is based around strong melodies, and a blend of electronic and rock instrumentation. I think the big range of dynamics give it a timeless appeal, and it sounds fresh. Luckily we get all ages stumbling across our music on Spotify, YouTube and through their parents’ and friends’ CD collections. We get a great buzz from the crowds, and it’s a pleasure and privilege to play for them.

Go Live Festival
Christchurch Town Hall
Friday 22 – Saturday 23 July
premier.ticketek.co.nz