The Jake Nelson Band,
Jake Nelson was made to gig, and gig he did at the Festival One Christian Music Festival over Auckland Anniversary Weekend.
Nelson, a member of Bridges Church in Cambridge, took to the stage at Hartford Farm, Karāpiro, supported by his father Ray on keyboards, brother Josh on drums and Sure Brake member Frankie Lowrie on guitar, Aimee Stanley, and Charlie Ruffel on bass.
“We were blessed with no rain and not much mud on our first performance at the Forest Stage on Friday night,” Nelson, a music teacher at Ignite Arts Academy in Cambridge, said.
The academy is owned by his parents Ray and Maxine Nelson.
“We really enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere in the forest while performing an acoustic set.”
The Jake Nelson Band debuted his new song Running After Everything at the festival alongside standards like Told You So, Passion and Play and White Stain.
Nelson, 20, and his band also covered Coldplay, John Mayer, and Jack Johnson songs.
“Our second performance was at 9pm on the Market Stage where people are socialising and eating food,” he said.
“It was super muddy and a little bit rainy. Fortunately, the set was really good as the music took over the weather and the audience were dedicated even in the mud.”
“The vibe at festival one felt very safe and warm. The feeling of finishing a performance I felt a lot of love but also had so many things to say in my head and heart. The moment was quick on stage, and I felt like I had to just listen and feel the moment. Not just performing but in general.”
It was the band’s second year at the festival, and Nelson’s third.
The band was one of more than 70 acts at this year’s festival.
Festival One started a decade ago at Mystery Creek Events Centre to fill the gap left by the Parachute Christian Music Festival. It moved to Hartford Farm a few years ago.
The Jake Nelson Band, from left, Frankie Lowrie on electric guitar, Aimee Stanley on vocals, Jake Nelson, Josh Nelson on drums, Charlie Rufell on bass and Ray Nelson on keyboard.
