A leading Kiwi singer-songwriter will head the 15th Waihi Bush Festival next month.
Organiser David Musgrave said he was thrilled to have Monique Rhodes as the festival's main act.
The To the Moon and Back singer left New Zealand more than a decade ago and now lives in France.
Her acoustic rock sound has been described as a cross between Grammy-award-winning artist Sheryl Crow and Canadian songstress Sarah McLachlan.
Rhodes' website shows she has supported rock and roll legend Chuck Berry on two European tours, has been writing and recording with members of Peter Gabriel's band in London, has written music for the producers of the film, The Secret, and has been part of a performance for the Dalai Lama in the south of France, which included in the audience the French President's wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy.
Joining Rhodes at the festival will be Auckland jazz-blues singer and trumpet diva Edwina Thorne and Christchurch duo Lloyd and Doublet.
Last year, about 250 people enjoyed performances from singer-songwriters Kristina Olsen, of the United States, and Jesse Rivest, of Canada.
The festival will be held from February 3 to 6 at the Waihi Bush Organic Farm, about 10 kilometres from Geraldine. Festival-goers will be able to camp next to 15 hectares of virgin native forest with 1000-year-old trees and swim in the Waihi River.
The festival will include workshops, concerts, a barn dance, bonfire sessions and food stalls.
Original Article: www.stuff.co.nz with picture from Monique by SCOTT HAMMOND/The Marlborough Express
