The Small Hall Sessions

25/08/2026

A sad day in a tough week.

I had the extraordinary privilege of meeting Dolly almost forty years ago! She was touring with Kenny Rogers and they played Mt Smart Stadium in February of 1987.

I was working for RCA Records in NZ at the time, and I met her a few times over a couple of days.

She was everything that everyone says! She was bright and sparkly, and kind, sweet and charming. She was also tiny!

I remember her total engagement and delight as she experienced a Powhiri for them in the tunnel at Mt Smart before they went on stage.

For some reason it was her 2001 album Little Sparrow that totally won me over to her. It was an album of folk and gospel, stripped back and exquisite. It was dedicated to her father who had died a year before.

She has had such a huge impact on so many people, not just for her music but for her incredible philanthropy and her constantly uplifting generosity of spirit and positivity.

Rest easy, Dolly.

30/07/2026

As I introduced the fabulous Delaney Davidson and Heather Webb to the stage last night in the perfect little Christ's Church in Pukehou I had a thought:

Is this the oldest building in New Zealand that host's live music? It was built in 1856, meaning that it is 170 years old. Does anyone know of an older building in New Zealand being used as a venue?

Anyway, that aside, last night was sublime. Thanks to all for coming along.

28/07/2026

Delaney Davidson's Te Awanga is officially SOLD OUT 📣

Final tickets available now for: Thursday July 30th Christ's Church, Pukehou 🎪

Don't miss your chance to see Delaney in Hawke's Bay and soak up his new album 'Baby Heavyweight.'

23/07/2026

Two shows only, Delaney Davidson shares his new album 'Baby Heavyweight' with the Small Hall Sessions.

🎪 Thursday July 30th Christ's Church, Pukehou
🎪 Friday July 31st Te Awanga Community Hall

Baby Heavyweight, born in a kitchen in Switzerland, is Delaney Davidson’s 11th solo album. Somewhat more groovy than his previous releases, this is the second album he has made with Merk (Mark Perkins). Building on the smooth depth of the previous album “Out Of My Head”, and taking it into a new realm of story telling and emotive music.

Delaney pitches himself headlong into the realm of shaman and trickster, navigating themes of trauma, loss, heartache, poison and cynicism and love, reinventing himself song after song to give a fuller and more multifaceted picture than we have ever seen of him before. Collapsing roles as quickly as they are introduced the albums fluidity and movement is at times cathartic and others polemic.

Don't miss Delaney's shows right here in Hawke's Bay.

22/07/2026

Roll up, roll up 📣 Next week we're hosting Singer-Songwriter, Noir Protagonist, Promotional Coyote, One-Man Band, Production Svengali - Delaney Davidson.

Two shows only:
Pukehou Church – Thur July 30 - FINAL TICKETS!
Te Awanga Community Hall – Fri July 31 (SOLD OUT)

Book your seats 🎪 smallhallsessions.co.nz

22/07/2026

Comin' right up 🤠 The enigmatic multi-instrumentalist, Delaney Davidson, both defines and commands his own unique realm in the shadowy musical world some call ‘Country-Noir’ or ‘Gothic Americana’.

Playing live right here in Hawke's Bay 📍

🎪 Thursday July 30th Christ's Church, Pukehou
🎪 Friday July 31st Te Awanga Community Hall
Pop Up Bar & Meals Available at both | Doors at 6pm, Show from 7pm

Secure your seat now 👉🏼 smallhallsessions.co.nz

13/07/2026

08/07/2026

Comin' right up 🎪 The Veils (Solo) this weekend + Delaney Davidson 30 & 31 July.

What's a Small Hall Session, you ask?

Take a tiny place out the back of beyond. Take an attentive audience all on the same wavelength. Take a glass of our finest and a bowl of something delicious. Take a sky full of stars and an evening in the quiet country air.

Take a moment.

You bring your big heart and your open mind to our small halls. We bring the music.

🌅

Thanks to all who came along to Adam & Gary's shows. We hope to see ya at the next one. All info at: smallhallsessions.co.nz