Six60 fever hit around the district yesterday, with the successful Kiwi band playing at the Ōamaru Opera House last night.

On one of the last legs of their Grassroots tour, the four-man band did not disappoint a receptive audience, playing a string of favourites as well as throwing in a few lesser-known tunes for the hardcore fans. 

The 23-concert tour began a month ago at the marae of lead singer Matiu Walters - Pōtahi Marae in Te Kao, Northland, and the band will play in Waimate’s Regent Theatre on Saturday night, before heading to Waipara and wrapping up in Stewart Island next Tuesday.

It was the first tour for Matiu and bandmates Marlon Gerbes, Ji Fraser and Chris Mac, without drummer Eli Paewai, who played his last gig with the band in February. 

For the majority of the concert, Chris Mac seamlessly slotted in behind the drum kit, but popped out front to his more usual bass guitar spot for a crowd-pleasing acoustic set.

The concert was opened by Makayla (Ngāti Kahungungu ki Heretaunga, Te Whakatōhea), who brought a fresh energy to the stage, and had the crowd at “kia ora”.

Makayla was born in Boston, USA, and raised in the Hawke’s Bay, and is the most recent signing to Six60’s record label Massive.

Before the concert, Six60 made an appearance at Weston 4-Square to visit a tiny home replica of 660 Castle Street - the Dunedin flat the band was formed in - which has been on the road with them, and housing merchandise. 

The Weston School kapa haka group performed, there was a sausage sizzle, bouncy castle, balloon making, and the Weston Fire Brigade raffled a Tutu Hill Cake of the Six60 house.

Hanging with the band are (front, from left) Jessica Gibson, Pyper McNamara, Oliver Townsend and Zac Townsend outside the Six60 tiny home at Weston 4-Square. Photo: supplied

The Weston School kapa haka group performing at Weston 4-Square. Photo: Ashley Smyth