HBAF 2023 - When Poetry and Song Collide

It has been said that music is poetry of the air, and that poetry is music, and nothing but music. This show is the story of the magic that happens when poetry and song collide.

Charlotte Yates, performing alongside the legendary Julia Deans and soulful Sandy Mill, takes us through the intriguing backstory to the four albums she created with poetry from NZ literary titans James K Baxter, Hone Tuwhare, Witi Ihimaera and Katherine Mansfield.

Originally set to beautiful song by a veritable who’s who of Kiwi recording artists ranging from Sir Dave Dobbyn to Strawpeople, The Chills’ Martin Phillipps to Don McGlashan, songs from the albums are revisited with the voices of these well-loved singers.

Part podcast, part gossip, and definitely under the hood, this ‘insider’s guide’ is peppered with songs from the four albums and debuted to a sell-out crowd at the 2021 Going West Literary Festival. Simply unmissable!