Wellington’s luminaries of ethereal dream-pop/folk French for Rabbits will be bringing their stunning new EP ‘In the End I Won’t Be Coming Home’ to life with a string quartet in their first ever Waiheke Island performance. 

Their music, which has been nominated for the Taite Music Prize, NZ Music Awards and APRA Silver Scrolls has seen the understated group perform internationally through the USA and Europe, open for the likes of Lorde, Marlon Williams, Agnes Obel and The Tallest Man on Earth. 

In 2023, they recorded a new collection of songs with string quartet, and following a pre-release tour with Chamber Music NZ, they have decided to do an encore run of shows to Whanganui, Wellington and Waiheke Island to celebrate the release of the EP on vinyl for 2024.

The vinyl record also includes their much loved 2012 EP Claimed by the Sea on the B-Side, and this will be available at the show.

For the tour, they are traveling as 9-piece, including a string quartet led by composer, arranger and viola player Elliot Vaughan (Canada/New Zealand) who will not only perform on songs from their latest release, but also join the band to reinterpret material from previous releases - adding detail and colour to the already cinematic soundscapes and intimate folk songs of songwriter/vocalist Brooke Singer.

Joining the band in support, Jemilah and Koen who are half of Waiheke Island/Tāmaki Makaurau-based five-piece Marmalade. Swinging somewhere between folk-pop and indie-rock, Jemilah & Koen bring you a stripped back version of Marmalade’s sound. Their honest lyricism floats above laid back acoustic guitar and delicious harmonies to create a juicy jar full of sounds.

Despite being a fresh new band, Marmalade have already played support for a number of notable acts including Hot Potato Band (AUS), 10:32 (UK), and Beach Bunny (US). With their debut EP on the horizon Marmalade are bound to make your winter cosy, and summer even sunnier.

Show times

8pm - 8.20pm Marmalade (Duo)

8.35 - 9.45pm French for Rabbits