Leigh News & Events

Feb
27
Sat
White Chapel Jak @ LEIGH SAWMILL CAFE
Feb 27 @ 9:00 pm

WCJ deliver a fresh acoustic approach to songs that you know, with a clean sound blending each performers diverse style. Their live energy is rhythmic and fun and audiences are always thoroughly engaged with their warm ‘kiwiana’ delivery and technical flourishes.

Mar
26
Fri
Muroki @ LEIGH SAWMILL CAFE
Mar 26 @ 9:00 pm

Muroki drops his latest single Wavy today, the official Wavy Lyric video and announces live shows to go with the release.

The hypnotic slice of pop is the second cut from the young Raglan musician’s forthcoming EP and these shows are his first since breaking his arm in a skateboard accident. The Wavy Lyric video is a fun, simple take on the artwork for Wavy – an enticing couple dancing to the deep beat.

March and April dates see Muroki and his band mixing some small town dates in Leigh, Raglan, and Colville with headline shows in Auckland and Wellington.

After stunning RNV and Nestfest performances, that skateboard tumble in the Raglan town bowl put paid to many of Muroki’s plans (he also plays in popular Raglan groups Masaya and Cloak Bay) but he has already been back in the studio finishing up more tracks and planning a big 2021.

Wavy is Muroki’s third single release. His self-released debut For Better Or Worse caught the ear of BENEE and she was soon playing the song to Elton John and the worldwide audience on his Rocket Hour Radio show. She next invited him not only to join her sold-out October tour but to be the first artist signed to her new Olive record label.

Mar
27
Sat
White Chapel Jak @ LEIGH SAWMILL CAFE
Mar 27 @ 9:00 pm

WCJ deliver a fresh acoustic approach to songs that you know, with a clean sound blending each performers diverse style. Their live energy is rhythmic and fun and audiences are always thoroughly engaged with their warm ‘kiwiana’ delivery and technical flourishes.

We leave limited tables in for pre-show dining from 6pm. It definitely pays to book ahead.

DOORS 8pm ONSTAGE 9pm
TICKET HOLDERS ONLY from 8pm

Mar
28
Sun
RiddimYard – Fish & Bread Sound System @ LEIGH SAWMILL CAFE
Mar 28 @ 2:30 pm

Fish & Bread is back again for Riddim Yard #7, at the Leigh Sawmill.
Once again we’re back in the Sawmill yard, running roots, dub and more in a sound system fashion.
Come and join us!
Sunday, March 28th, 2.30-6pm.
Apr
17
Sat
A Night of Fleetwood Mac @ LEIGH SAWMILL CAFE
Apr 17 @ 9:00 pm

Celebrate the music of Fleetwood Mac with premier 5 piece band-
The Fleetwoods.
After sell out South Island shows in 2020 we are delighted to be returning to the Leigh Sawmill, so book your ticket now for an intimate dose of Fleetwood greatness.
Featuring a great band of top musicians performing two fantastic high intensity sets – from the Peter Green era through to the 80s favourites. With all the hits from Landslide, The Chain, Rhiannon – don’t miss this great night out.
Tickets $25 from Under The Radar
May
14
Fri
Miles Calder – Album Release Tour @ LEIGH SAWMILL CAFE
May 14 @ 8:00 pm

Wellington singer-songwriter Miles Calder will embark on a nationwide tour this April and May in celebration of his debut solo album Autopilot Life, out today. The ten shows will see Miles and his band perform in intimate venues across Aotearoa, captivating audiences with a dynamic set ranging from floating atmospheric ballads to chomping rock n roll.
Four years on since his folk/Americana self-titled release with former backing band The Rumours and time living overseas, Miles has emerged with a renewed sound, fresh songs, and new band. His new album Autopilot Life takes his classic folk-rock style into a striking psychedelic realm, evoking early 70s Lennon and late-era Beatles as much as contemporaries like Kevin Morby and Father John Misty.
Banished Music & Undertheradar Presents
Miles Calder Album Release Tour 2021
with Full Band

May
22
Sat
Bowie Bowie! @ LEIGH SAWMILL CAFE
May 22 @ 9:00 pm

Coming off a great run of gigs in Auckland, the band are heading north to the famous Sawmill Cafe in Leigh. Come ready to groove and shout lyrics to the best of all Bowie songs!

Jun
4
Fri
Leigh Sawmill Long Weekend Super Bash! @ LEIGH SAWMILL CAFE
Jun 4 @ 8:00 pm

calendarThree EPIC bands hit Leigh Sawmill to rock the stage and make you dance all night! 💃
🔥 This coming long weekend, make your way to Leigh Sawmill for a party you don’t want to miss out on! 🔥
Featuring:
🎷 Big Tasty 🎷
Big Tasty are a 9 piece funk party ready to shake your socks off!
Led by diminutive powerhouse front woman Manuela Ovalle Herrera and backed by a full horn section, Big Tasty lay down some hard hitting dance music and will make you groove!
💥 The Rvmes 💥
The name confuse you? Say it with us.. “The Rooms” excellent!
One of Auckland’s most eclectic bands on the current music scene. Taking every genre into their consideration, they have based the essence of their band on the interesting, worldly and diverse, pulling inspiration from soul/blues, rock n’ roll right through to Middle Eastern European inspired melodies.
🎺 Bruci Jordan 🎺
Bruci Jordan is a rock/reggae fusion Brazilian artist based in Auckland- New Zealand.
Mixing rock, reggae, blues and funk, Bruci Jordan brings some groovy vibes through his tunes making people show their moves on the dance floor!

For only $15 on the door you can be a part of the best party the long weekend has to offer! Doors open at 8pm so don’t miss out

Jun
5
Sat
Eighties Forever: 1980s Dance Party @ LEIGH SAWMILL CAFE
Jun 5 @ 9:00 pm

calendar

12XU Presents:
EIGHTIES FOREVER: 1980s Dance Party
Taking place at Leigh Sawmill on the long weekend!
18+
How shall I dress on a night like this?
We strongly encourage costumes, leather, vinyl, lace, masks wigs, giant hats, overly hair-sprayed 80s hair, Bowie channeling face makeup and the weird like to make this an extra *special* night! If you have actual clothing from the 80s, dig it out!!!
But we also want you to feel (somewhat) comfortable, so dress however ya want!
What will you play?
It if came out in the 80s and you can dance to it, we might play it! Cheesy pop, synth pop hits, goth, indie, hair rock, hip hop + more!!!
ABC, A-ha, Adam + the Ants, Air Supply, Billy Idol, Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, Boy George, The Cure, Cyndi Lauper, The Damned, David Bowie, Depeche Mode, Dead or Alive, Devo, Dexy’s Midnight Runners, Duran Duran, Electronic, Erasure, Eurythmics, Falco, Front 242, Gene Loves Jezebel, Go Gos, Human League, Laura Branigan, Lisa Lisa + Cult Jam, Pat Benetar, Pointer Sisters, Joan Jett, Madonna, Prince, Pixies, Run DMC, NWA, Talk Talk, Tears for Fears, OMD, Motley Crue, Neneh Cherry, Nitzer Ebb, New Order, Pet Shop Boys, Queen, Rick Astley, Replacements, Roxy Music, Sisters of Mercy, Sonic Youth, The Sound, Strawberry Switchblade, Talking Heads, Twisted Sister, Van Halen, Wham!, Whitney Houston, Yazoo and lots more!!!
Jun
20
Sun
Leigh Midwinter Swim @ Matheson Bay
Jun 20 @ 10:15 am

Come and join us for our annual midwinter swim at Matheson Bay.

Leigh School will be selling soup and baked items and Leigh Waste Free Minimisation team will be selling items.

Swim will be on, rain or shine!

Jul
21
Wed
Courtney Barnett Solo Tour @ LEIGH SAWMILL CAFE
Jul 21 @ 7:30 pm

calendarHaving been grounded in 2020 care of the global pandemic, Barnett made the best of a bad situation and wrote and recorded a new record. That drops later this year, but before it does the witty maestro is touring her solo show to all corners of Aotearoa – a country she’s adored touring in the past and a place she considers herself lucky to have the opportunity to return to.
With nine dates at some of New Zealand’s favourite venues, local audiences are in for a treat as Barnett dials things right down and prepares to deliver gems from her catalogue in an intimate setting.
After years of touring with her thunderous band around the globe, the performer recently found herself craving the simplicity of her early days as a straight up singer-songwriter.
Armed with just a guitar, her renowned banter and some of the best indie folk songs of the past decade, she toured North America throughout the pre-pandemic months of 2020 like she had never done before.
Those shows saw Courtney at both her funniest and most raw and personal. She played town halls, barns, churches, dive bars, haunted hotels, ski-lodges, theatres and studios, all to enraptured audiences, who couldn’t quite believe they were witnessing the artist in this mode.
For Courtney, the simplicity and honesty of the shows was an inspirational salve; a way to fall back in love with the art and craft of song. This is the Courtney Barnett New Zealand gets to sing-along with in July, on what will be an unmissable tour.

Jul
23
Fri
Leigh Light Fiesta @ Hauraki Rd, Leigh
Jul 23 @ 6:30 pm

May be an image of ‎text that says "‎MAHURANGI WINTER FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS PRESENTS 冰 Leigh Light Fiesta ة JULY 23RD 2021 HAURAKI RD, LEIGH 6:30PM‎"‎On Friday the 23rd there will be Food trucks, as well as music and Oli’s Light Show at the Leigh School car park and Netball court. Look forward to seeing you all.
We also encourage people to light up their businesses and houses as well..
Lets light up Leigh for this winter festival

Aug
8
Sun
Troy Kingi with Delaney Davidson @ LEIGH SAWMILL CAFE
Aug 8 @ 7:00 pm

eventthumbnailimageTroy Kingi‘s fifth instalment ‘Black Sea Golden Ladder’, in his 1O 1O 1O Series (10 albums in 10 years in 10 genres) is due for release June 18th.

A collaboration with award winning artist and producer Delaney Davidson, this album was written and recorded as part of the Matairangi Mahi Toi Artist Residency in Wellington – a partnership between the Governor General and Massey University that was established in 2016 to encourage and promote the development of Māori and Pasifika visual arts and creative practices. 

Troy Kingi and Delaney Davidson will take to the road this August, playing the album live, in shows across the country.

Aug
28
Sat
White Chapel Jak – Good Time tour @ LEIGH SAWMILL CAFE
Aug 28 @ 7:30 pm

A3 WCJ Good Time Poster.jpg

“One of the hottest and exciting acts to emerge in NZ in the last 18 months” – Paul Ellis, NZ Idol_NZ Got Talent Judge, Former Sony Music Executive.

Who’s ready for a bloody good time?! Hugely-popular White Chapel Jak are here for a good time, and you don’t have to wait for a long time! Their Good Time Tour 2021 is set to be the most epic run of shows yet.

White Chapel Jak have opened for Ben Harper and Alanis Morissette, and entertained more than 15,000 people at the SeePort Festival in Auckland performing with the Auckland Symphony Orchestra two years in a row. Many of their 2020 shows sold out as their reputation and following grew.

Nailing ballads through to bangers that span decades of hits and have everyone dancing, the trio’s playlist is now peppered with their original music, to create high-energy shows.

Super star leading lady Bonnie Hurunui has a powerhouse voice and charisma ready to dazzle with her magnetic energy. The beautiful and talented Viking drummer, Dean Tinning holds the beat with heart and soul, and the charming and fiery, Nathan Boston is locked and loaded with his catchy riffs and flawless flourishes. The band will be joined by special guest artists.

“We love the energy and vibe of our people having a good time,” Bonnie says. “So that’s what our shows and music are all about – the best that life has to offer, good tunes, good people and good times.”

The Good Time Tour kicks off on August 28 and plays out in their favourite spots including Leigh, where it all began for the band seven years ago, as well as Whangarei, Auckland, Hamilton, Mt Maunganui, Napier, Gisborne, New Plymouth and Wellington.

Mar
20
Sun
Families in Parks at Leigh School @ Leigh School
Mar 20 @ 10:00 am
Apr
25
Mon
Anzac Day Service @ Leigh Cemetery
Apr 25 @ 11:00 am
Jun
19
Sun
Leigh Midwinter Swim 2022 @ Matheson Bay, Leigh
Jun 19 @ 10:15 pm
Jul
22
Fri
CoHousing for Leigh @ Leigh Hall
Jul 22 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Have you ever wondered how it would be to live lightly on the earth and not have to own and do everything yourself?
Find out more here …CoHousing Flyer
Aug
11
Thu
SWING AND SOUL featuring Toni Swain & Big Daddy Roy @ LEIGH SAWMILL CAFE
Aug 11 @ 7:00 pm
calendarIt’s a double header and what a night this will be!
Touted as “Australia’s best blues singer” Toni Swain returns to The Sawmill with her 5 piece band. From groovin’ soul to latin infused toe tappers, Toni’s eclectic original style is stylishly carried through with her big, bold and beautiful soulful voice.
Big Daddy Roy Payne brings Hot licks n Cool guitar tricks…
The sizzling strings of Big Daddy Roy on his custom twin neck guitar; from retro rockers and sophisticated swings to jumping blues and reverb soaked surf n safari’s
Roy’s juke joint style live show will lead you along the path of old school Americana roots music, combining the steel guitar twang neck with the blues bopping standard guitar neck.
With the hottest band third rock from the sun, we are delighted to have on board Australia’s #1 drummer to the stars Hamish Stuart, cosmic on keys George Bibicos and off the charts bassist Auckland’s own Hal Tupaea.
Aug
13
Sat
ARAHI, There’s nothing like a Piano Tour @ LEIGH SAWMILL CAFE
Aug 13 @ 7:30 pm

calendar
Those in the know will know an 
Arahi show is much more than mere music. Arahi creates immersive experiences to speak to your tender soul and linger round the corners of your mind long after he’s skipped town. This latest offering is a chance for you to grasp at an elusive moment in time, an intimate audience with the man and his piano. 

In collaboration with Undergrand, Arahi comes to the stage paired back, pouring heart and soul over the keys of this exquisite snow white baby grand piano. This show promises a delicate and insightful look at Arahi, his songs and their many facets.  In his words, “it’s a chance to really get to know the songs and the meaning behind them, because we’re in such an intimate setting, which doesn’t happen too often.”

With a reputation for being a bona fide artistic soul, presented as a master of his craft, Arahi juxtaposes classic and contemporary sound with an eclectic, eccentric style. Arahi calls on theatrics and grandiose displays of sound and vision, meticulously crafted, together with a flair for showmanship, constantly pushing the boundaries of Indie music.

Arahi released ‘The Best Thing I’ve Ever Seen’ a blissful, hazy tune, in April, which as Arahi aptly sums up, feels “like a red hot 80s sun setting on roller-skating silhouettes along a golden boulevard.” The track was released with a bonus B-side – a mesmerizing dance remix of Arahi’s 2020 single ‘Searching In The Sun’

Arahi will release new single ‘There’s Nothing Like It’  this Matariki, which breezes past your ears to the depths of your soul like a long awaited exhale.  This sound is a chance for people to relinquish themselves of the weight on their shoulders, really dive into the music and allow themselves to believe that some things can’t be explained in words.

Arahi recently played alongside iconic NZ artists; The Veils, Bic Runga, Nadia Reid to a sold out audience at Auckland Stadium’s Lilypad concert. Arahi is looking forward to connecting and creating memorable live experiences with his fans in six different regions of Aotearoa this winter.

Leigh Community Preschool Gala

Discover what’s under the sea at Leigh Community Preschool Gala
Leigh Preschool Gala will be an event filled day with magic, bouncy castles, raffles, pre-loved treasures, a photo booth and lots of marine life. Joy for all members of the family with gourmet food, a selection of drinks and live music.
Leigh Preschool is passionate about the marine environment and this year there will be a Marine Discovery Station with interactive displays and a touch tank. The Leigh Marine Laboratory and local artist have come together to create a beautiful under water environment.
Leigh Preschool Gala will be held on the 27th October, Labour weekend Sunday from 10am to 4pm at Leigh School Fields. The money raised will be used to upgrade Preschool’s outdoor space. 
For more information visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/2396867390527765/