A high-energy collision of country twang and disco grooves is heading to the coast next week when the Funk Up the Country Tour rolls into Ōhope Beach Tavern.

Wellington alt-country outfit Sig Wilder & Friends are bringing their ambitious seven-venue, two-week North Island tour to town on Thursday, March 12, joined by disco-funk favourites Tahini Bikini.

Frontman Wilder promises a cross-genre music experience, with 10 musicians sharing the stage and “colliding at the intersection of country and funk”.

Pōneke-based Tahini Bikini have built a strong following for their distinctive blend of funk, soul and pop, powered by frontwoman Mads Taylor’s smoky vocals and frank, feisty lyricism.

The seven-piece band released their debut album, Fever Dream, in 2022 and have since become festival regulars, performing at major events including Rhythm and Vines, CubaDupa and Twisted Frequency.

As well as Taylor on lead vocals, the band features a talented collective of musicians: Mathew Campbell (vocals/percussion) Darcy Monteath (bass), Eric Sebastian (drums), Alex Scott-Billing (guitar) Cameron Robertson (trumpet) and Aidan McCulloch (saxophone/keys).

Sig Wilder & Friends are Aotearoa’s alt-country storytellers.

The band is a DIY collective featuring Taylor (drums/vocals), Tessa Dillon (bass/vocals), Sofia Machray (guitar/vocals) and Wilder on lead vocals/guitar.

Since forming, they’ve become a familiar fixture in Wellington’s independent music scene, toured, and won media acclaim from The Post, Ensemble Magazine, Under the Radar, and Radio Active 88.6 FM.

Tickets: www.undertheradar.co.nz