The New Blue

The New Blue is a unique festival performance showcasing the song-book of New Zealand’s first recording pop star, Pixie Williams and the music that influenced her.

In 1949, Pixie Williams gave voice to one of the most enduring popular melodies of the twentieth century – Blue Smoke. No-one would have foreseen that the shy young country girl’s move from Mohaka to Wellington would set her on the path to sing on the first all New Zealand-made recording. Written in wartime, Blue Smoke was a triple platinum hit that made Pixie a household name overnight. It was a hit overseas too, with covers by a host of international stars including Dean Martin. And this was just the beginning. Even her love for the South Island, calling Dunedin home for 60 years, is immortalised in the song about its landmark Saddle Hill.

Join music director Riki Gooch and an all-star cast including Kirsten Te Rito, Rachel Fraser and Lisa Tomlins as they bring Pixie’s music to life with interpretations of her most loved recordings and the songs that shaped a generation.

“Music – it’s what keeps you going through good times and bad. It kept me sane in the hard times. Forget the pills. When you’ve got music in your life – you’ll be okay.” – Pixie Williams