Runga wins hearts of fans
(Otago Daily Times, 7 Dec 2011)

It was as though an angel had descended on Knox Church last night, to stand beneath an 8m stained glass window, framed by altar candles. More than 400 people filled the 135-year-old bluestone church to hear Auckland singer-songwriter Bic Runga perform in the fourth annual "Acoustic Church Tour".

Runga played a short acoustic set, before picking up herelectric guitar and launching into her 1996 hit Drive. The chanteuse pleased fans both old and new as she mined her three platinum-selling albums - Drive (1997), Beautiful Collision (2002) and Birds (2005) - in the hour and 40-minute concert.

Old favourites, including Get Some Sleep. Sway, Something Good, Winning Arrow, Belle and Drive, intermingled with material from her latest album released last month, Belle, such as her first single in five years, Hello, Hello.

The 35-year-old was in stunning voice on her first major solo tour for three years. She told the crowd she "loved the ambience of churches".

Runga was supported by Natalia Mann and her band, Kody Nielsen and Michael Logie, of The Mint Chicks.

Runga performs in the "2011 Acoustic Church Tour" at Knox Church again tonight.

www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/189742/review-runga-wins-hearts-fans

Bic back big time and fans loved it
(Collette Devlin, Southland Times, Friday December 9)

Bic Runga’s Classic Hits Acoustic Church Tour was won praise all over New Zealand and last night she wowed the audience (at her 17th and last show of the Tour) in Invercargill.

A unanimous crowd of 200 fans applauding agreed that yes indeed, Bic was back.

The First Presbyterian Church set the scene for a unique evening of entertainment.

It is the most unusual place I have ever watched a show – but somehow it worked, an intimate venue where the audience could feel part of the act.

Everyone including Runga was impressed by the lingering light that streamed through onto the stage and later the candles on the altar behind Runga and her band added a romantic ambience.

All of the instruments were stripped back, which made the most of the acoustics of the Church and created a platform for Runga’s melodic voice.

The evening began with Runga on stage alone, she opened with Smile and a few acoustic numbers. Her band came on stage and she treated her fans to a collection of their favourite songs from all three of her albums; Drive (1997), Beautiful Collision (2002) and Birds (2005)  as well as her new album Belle. Earlier this week she described Belle as lighter and breezier than her other material. Indeed it was – songs like A Tiny Piece of My Heart (her next single) an upbeat pop song and the toe-tapping catchy Hello, Hello (her current single) were a delight.

The audience held on to Runga’s every word as she chatted to them like old friends throughout the night and let them choose the songs for her encore.

Runga is indeed a gem of New Zealand music – not only can she write beautiful songs and melodies and sing them live like they are on CD but she is also an accomplished musician.