Metal band to play with NZSO in May

Alien Weaponry, hailed as one of the most exciting young metal bands in the world, will unite with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (NZSO) for two special performances in May.

Stronger Together in Kirikiriroa Hamilton and Otautahi Christchurch will be a unique music experience for audiences, the NZSO and Alien Weaponry. The performance will include material from their award winning 2018 album Tu, and their soon-to-be released second album Tangaroa.

The concerts are Alien Weaponry’s first with an orchestra and the first collaboration with a metal band in the NZSO’s 75-year history.

Embraced by audiences and critics around the world, the three-piece from Waipu have gone from strength to strength since their debut album Tu in 2018.

The band have sold out headline shows in New Zealand, Australia, Europe and North America, and played main stage sets to record crowds at some of the world’s biggest and most prestigious music festivals.

Lead vocalist and guitarist Lewis de Jong, drummer Henry de Jong and bass player Turanga Morgan-Edmonds can’t wait to play with the NZSO, led by renowned conductor Holly Mathieson.

“I've always loved the idea of incorporating orchestral music with contemporary music, and when I heard that the NZSO wanted to collaborate with us I was really excited,” says Lewis. “I think there is going to be a very interesting mix of people who come to the show, mixing the metalheads with the classical music fans.”

Adds Turanga: "Being trained as a classical pianist when I was a child, I've always wanted to play in the true orchestra experience. And now to be able to be a part of something involving the talented team of the NZSO, I am super excited, and I’m so glad I get to join it with our passion for heavy metal too!”

NZSO chief executive Peter Biggs says audiences will be blown away.

“While we’ve collaborated with some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s best-known bands and artists, for us to finally play with a metal band of Alien Weaponry’s calibre will be one of the highlights of 2021.”

n Tickets for Stronger Together are on sale at ticketek.co.nz.

Turanga Morgan-Edmonds, Lewis de Jong, and Henry de Jong are Alien Weaponry. PHOTO/Piotr Kwasnik