Ash Grunwald
Whanganui War Memorial Centre, Watt St, 4571 Whanganui Directions
Thu 13.08.2026 19:00
Two of Australia’s finest — Ash Grunwald, the premier bluesman, and Daniel Champagne, the young virtuoso — join forces for one night only. Don’t miss this explosive evening of world-class live music.
BOOK NOW: https://premier.ticketek.co.nz/shows/Show.aspx?sh=DANIELP26
Ash Grunwald has spent decades redefining contemporary blues in Australia — fusing gritty slide-guitar, soulful vocals and groove-laced rhythms. His shows are known for their raw energy and emotional depth, making each performance both powerful and intimate.
“A blues modernist, pushing the genre’s boundaries" — Rolling Stone Magazine
“One of the most important voices in Australian music" — Rhythms Magazine
Daniel Champagne has earned international acclaim as a standout acoustic guitarist — blending roots, folk and blues into a style that feels both timeless and fresh. His solo performances deliver astonishing guitar virtuosity and heartfelt songwriting, capturing audiences with a presence that feels much larger than one man and a guitar.
“The finest guitar player of this generation” — Acoustic Guitar Magazine, USA
“The word prodigy seems to entirely fall short of this soft-spoken young man’s skills, he coaxes sounds and melodies out of his instrument that literally drop jaws” — The Calgary Herald, CANADA
Performers
-
Ash GrunwaldAsh Grunwald has inspired a generation to hit the road in an old beat-up van to ‘surf by day jam by night’. Throughout his career, he has supported legends James Brown, The Black Keys, Jack Johnson, Xavier Rudd, and Keith Urban, among numerous others, and played sold out festivals across Europe, Japan, and North America. With six Australian Top-50 albums to his credit, alongside five ARIA and four AIR Award Nominations, two APRA Awards, and gong for Best International Act at the LA Music Critic Awards in 2014, Grunwald has cemented his status as one of Australia’s best blues musicians. -
Daniel ChampagneOne reviewer recently wrote - ‘Daniel Champagne exudes a natural ease on stage, as he sings poignant lyrics and beautifully crafted melodies that invariably whisk the heart up with grand romanticism. Coupled with an exhilarating guitar talent that transcends mere acoustic playing to replicate a whole band, Champagne is just magical’ (themusic.com.au, Byron Bluesfest, 2014)
The story goes that the young Australian singer, songwriter and one-of-a-kind guitar virtuoso first picked up his instrument of choice as a five-year-old following in the footsteps of a musical father. He began writing songs at 12, training classically throughout his teens and performing solo wherever he could, honing his craft and developing what would become the dynamite live show that he is renowned for today. At 18 he left school, turned professional and hit the road.
The next five years saw him traversing North America, the United Kingdom, Europe, New Zealand and of course, his homeland Australia playing such festivals as Vancouver and Mariposa Folk (Canada), Belgium's Labadoux Festival and Australia's Woodford, Falls Festival, Port Fairy Folk Festival and the legendary Byron Bay Bluesfest. As well as touring and sharing stages with the likes of Lucinda Williams, Judy Collins, INXS, John Butler, KT Tunstall and Ani DiFranco - all of this while writing, producing and independently releasing two Eps, 'My Own Design' (2009) and 'Wide Eyed and Open' (2010), his first long player 'Pint of Mystery' (2011) and the 'Real Live' offering in 2012. As one reviewer recently wrote, “still in his early twenties, the distances he has been would be more frequently associated with veterans of the Folk scene” (The Dwarf). This globetrotting lifestyle would become the centerpiece of Daniel's next recordings when in 2013, he undertook the ambitious task of delivering two stand-alone albums within the space of twelve months. The Gypsy Moon – Volumes I and II marked a great leap forward for him both as a songwriter and a recording artist, with Australia’s roots music bible Rhythms Magazine saying that ‘Champagne has gone a step further this time, it's like he's realized his own potential, his confidence is sky-high and he's truly ready to explore'
Now regarded as a leading light in acoustic music, with a firm reputation for making festivals buzz, holding crowds in his palm, dropping jaws and breaking guitars wherever he goes. Daniel Champagne has recently signed to US booking agency Fleming Artists and relocated to North America where he continues his exciting career as an international touring and recording artist.
PRESS QUOTES
“Today I saw the future of Folk – Festival goers flocking in their thousands towards the main stage to witness a young musical phenomenon from Australia dish out an absolute show-stopper.”
The Firefly Column
“This superb talent can’t be explained by mere words, it must be seen to be believed.” FasterLouder
“Watching Daniel Champagne perform is a once in a lifetime experience. He is a true prodigy that plays like no one else could possibly play unless they spent at least two lifetimes studying the art”
The BW Review
“Within the boundaries of Folk, Champagne is an expert” Tone Deaf
“There’s a reason Champagne has an amazing reputation as a live performer” Timber And Steel
“In the short time he's been out there, Champagne has proven that he's a talent you can't possibly ignore. His live shows have drawn rapturous responses from all corners” Rhythms Magazine