Experience a soul-stirring evening of music fusion at Auckland Phil’s Matariki with Ria Hall concert, presented by The Trusts Community Foundation, in the Auckland Town Hall on 19 June. Bringing together the striking vocals of Ria Hall with the powerful sound of Auckland’s professional orchestra, this will be an unforgettable performance.
At this Matariki celebration, Hall’s compelling songs will be recreated with an epic orchestral soundscape, including such revered anthems as ‘They Come Marching’ and ‘Black Light’. Her song ‘Te Ahi Kai Pō’ won the Maioha Award prize in 2018 and seeing her perform this masterpiece live with the Auckland Phil will be a beautiful experience that’s not to be missed.
This concert also features the first performance of Tom Rainey’s orchestration of Hall’s moving ballad, ‘Chant’, which is sure to be a highlight of the evening.
Hall is excited to perform with the Auckland Philharmonia for the first time.
“I can't wait join the people of Tāmaki Makaurau to celebrate Matariki through music. Performing alongside over 60 professional musicians from the Auckland Phil will be such a special experience, and the energy as these diverse musical genres join forces is sure to be electric. Join us to celebrate Matariki 2025 together,” she says.
A powerful live performer and speaker, Hall found her calling as a vocalist through kapa haka, becoming a singer dedicated to the preservation and recognition of te reo Māori. Winning critical acclaim for her self-titled EP released in 2011, her sound fused furious hip hop beats and richly layered vocals in English and te reo Māori. Her subsequent albums Rules of Engagement and Manawa Wera established Hall as one of the most thoughtful voices in New Zealand music.
Start your Matariki public holiday with this night of exceptional music. Auckland Phil’s Matariki concerts have become one of the ‘go-to’ events of the season, selling out every year. Get your tickets now for Matariki with Ria Hall from aucklandphil.nz/matariki25 or Ticketmaster.
Matariki with Ria Hall is presented by The Trusts Community Foundation, in association with Kapiti Ice Cream and Auckland Live. This event is part of Auckland Council’s Matariki Festival 2025.
