The Nukes Ukulele Trio (Auckland based)
A bit about The Nukes
The Nukes are Aotearoa’s most beloved and enduring original ukulele trio.
For more than a decade, this unlikely league of musical miscreants has traipsed around Australasia, bringing joy and harmony to all they encounter. With three compelling albums of their self-penned tunes as proof of their creative endeavours; 7500 physical CD sales and well over 100,000 streams and views. They even won the best NZ children’s music video award for Worms.
Over the past five years, The Nukes have performed to around 300 public shows and at a further 200 primary schools. Students participate in workshops with a focus on ukulele, percussion, singing dancing and performing. After workshop sessions, children get to part of an all-school show.
Who are The Nukes?
At the helm is Dave Parker, with a sparkling voice and compelling uke sound that commands respect. Ben Collier, the quiet Country Boy is on the slide and lead ukulele. This original, quicky kiwi trio is part vaudeville, part rat-pack, part musical car crash. They deliver an engaging mix of humour and originality that audiences of all ages absolutely love.
The Nukes have made appearances at WOMAD NZ , SPLORE NZ (multiple times), Auckland and Canterbury Folk Festivals, New Plymouth Festival Of Light 2018, Wanaka Festival Of Colour 2017, Coastella Festival 2017, Southland Festival Of Arts 2017, Bluff Oyster Festival, Arts On Tour NZ March 2017 - 35 shows over five weeks, NZ Schools ukulele festival (multiple times), Geraldine Ukulele Festival 2016, Egmont AnP show, Mackenzie Country A&P show, Hawkes Bay Arts Festival,Tauranga Arts Festival, Oamaru Heritage Festival, Alexandra Blossom Festival and Upsurge Bay Of Islands Festival 2019.
They’ve toured outside little old New Zealand including Australia - Australian Music week Folk Alliance showcase Nov 2017, Spruke Festival Brisbane, Newcastle ukulele festival (multiple times), Central Coast ukulele festival (multiple times), Melbourne ukulele festival and the Sunshine Coast ukulele Festival April 2018. Their Australian Tour in Nov 2017 included 16 shows across three weeks.
Example Musical Workshop with The Nukes:
The Nukes workshops are great fun! They’re engaging, inspiring and specifically tailored and refined for school students in years 1-10. The concert is around 45-50 minutes long, with PA provided to make the concert electric. Prior to the performance, The Nukes run an hour-long workshop with around 35 ukulele players, from year five and upward. This can also include singers, dancers, performers and percussionists if there are not enough ukulele players. Student’s can be at any level, if they can play a bit already, then they learn a song or two they can perform. Not only that, but all chord charts, lyrics and songs in Mp3 format can be sent in advance, so students can start practicing before if they wish.
The Nukes come prepared, organising their own equipment. However ukulele and percussive items need to be provided by the school. If students don’t play, they concentrate on singing and moving. After workshop sessions, they run their show and involve the children from the workshop in their performance!
Find out more:
See upcoming events for The Nukes and when this fun and engaging ukulele trio might be in your region. Contact us to find out more about The Nukes visiting your school.
https://www.thenukes.co.nz/schools