Auckland producer super-group LEISURE join forces with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra (APO) for a one-off gig at Auckland Town Hall, on Friday April 6.

LEISURE’s musical blend of RnB, soul and pop will receive an added symphonic styling in the first of APO’s new Session Series. The five-piece band will be performing their already hits – plus some new ones – re-imagined with full orchestral arrangements by Claire Cowan and Hamish Oliver. LEISURE will take to the stage together with the APO as its 72-piece backing band, under the baton of conductor Hamish McKeich.

Adding yet another layer of musicality to the evening will be former George FM host Tim Lambourne (Inside Voices). Currently resident in Tokyo, Lambourne will kick off the concert with a DJ set from 9pm.

Their first single Got It Bad quickly established LEISURE as an act of international class, with follow-ups since including All Over You (the Soundcloud fave with over a million listens in two years), Know You Better, Moonbeam and Control Myself.

Their self-titled album won the band finalists spots for both Album of the Year and Best Group at last year’s NZ Music Awards. Writing in NZ Musician magazine’s Dec/Jan 2018 issue, musicologist Dr Mark Baynes described their recent single Money as ‘… a wonderful offshoot of the Soulquarian era’.

LEISURE’s Josh Fountain says it’s going to be a unique concert experience.

“The fact that we get to play our songs with the APO still seems a bit surreal, it’s the kind of thing you can only dream about as a musician. Claire and Hamish have done an incredible job with the orchestral arrangements and we’re so excited and honoured to have been given this opportunity. This is going to be such a special night.”

Second release GA tickets priced at $50 (plus service fees) remain available until midnight Friday 30 March, after which the cost rises a tad to $55 or $60 for door sales.

What:               APO Session Series – Hallertau Brewery presents: APO AND LEISURE

Where:             Great Hall, Auckland Town Hall

When:              9pm, Friday April 6, 2018

Bookings:        ticketmaster.co.nz / 0800 111 999