Cromwell College band Mistep to play at Gibbston Valley concert

Anna Rob / Central App

Cromwell College band Mistep have been making waves - and now are set to share a stage with music icons.

The five-piece have been announced as the local opening support act for the Gibbston Valley Winery Summer Concert in January.

The announcement was made in a short video by the lead singer-songwriter and guitarist of pop punk band Everclear Art Alexakis posted on Greenstone Entertainment’s Facebook page on Tuesday (12 November).

Mistep have been playing together for a few years, performing at events across Cromwell.

Last year lead singer Grace Tiko won best vocalist at Central Otago Smokefree Rockquest.

She also won awards for best vocalist at Dunedin and Invercargill Jazz Fests in 2023 and 2024, and has just returned from performing at San Diego last month.

Alongside Grace, the band includes Cam Anderson (bass guitar), Sullivan Sonntag (drums), Laura Bates (guitar) and Louis Maugham (lead guitar).

Laura told The Central App the band were "absolutely thrilled'' to be selected to play.

"Beyond grateful, excited, and nervous would be the best words to describe all of the things that have been going through our minds since we were selected,'' she said.

The band ''love all the artists who are playing'' and there was no particular act they were looking forward to seeing perform the most, she said.

"We look up to all of them and the fact that we are playing on the same stage as them is such a shock . . . with our range in music tastes we are all pumped to watch them all take on the stage.''

Mistep was still working through what their Gibbston Valley debut will look like but they did hope to play some ''older big stage bangers'' to get the crowd singing along, Laura said.

''Although everything is still penciled in with the greatest intent to play songs that everyone from all age groups will love.'''

Cromwell College teacher in charge of music Cath Forsyth said she was blown away and excited for the group, especially as over half of them wish to take music at tertiary level and make careers of music.

“This will be so great for them performing in front of such a large audience. I'm really looking forward to it,” Cath said.

She had known for about six weeks and said it had been a huge secret to keep.

“I felt they were in with a really good chance, as they have been playing at a lot of gigs and have been crowd favourites.

“Most memorable would be Light up Winter and Scott Base winery.

‘’They have a great range of songs from all eras, but they particularly perform well performing hits from the 70s and 80s. They also practise, which is the secret to success.”

In a social media post the band said they were “so privileged’’ to be opening at the concert.

“We are so excited and we thank everyone involved . . . we also thank all our supporters who have been here since day one.

‘’We can't wait to see such amazing artists perform and to bring our all to the stage. We hope to see you there.”

Headlining the Gibbston Valley Winery Summer Concert are Cold Chisel, Icehouse, Bic Runga and Everclear.

After Queenstown the Summer Concert Tour heads to Taupō and Whitianga where two other local bands will get a chance to rub shoulders with the international acts and take to the stage.

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