Adam McGrath (NZ Blues, Roots & Groove Festival)

Adam McGrath is a folk singer stationed mostly wherever he lands, although he keeps his dog and his landlord in Christchurch, New Zealand. He travels both the state and lost highways of New Zealand, Australia, Europe and parts beyond, slinging songs and offering up yarns and low rent bar philosophy for anyone who’ll spring for a ticket and wherever he can get a key. Widely known in New Zealand as lead singer and songwriter of one of the country’s most beloved and mythic roots bands, The Eastern, Adam continues in the tradition of hard travelling, long touring, long shows and longer nights laid down by his day band. McGrath takes on all comers and has played everywhere from lounge rooms to bar rooms, street corners to theatres and a million and one festivals, sometimes he’s even got paid! Any opportunity to play is a good one.

He hopes for the best, is always ready for the worst and believes in Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, The Clash and anyone doing the best they can. He remains happiest in front of a jukebox as the call for last drinks is given, because jukeboxes are getting harder to find, and last drinks means the lock in is ever closer.

He has been described as a “National Treasure” by Radio New Zealand National and his songs have gathered more than their share of good notices at home and overseas, he has been nominated for a couple of serious music awards (including the Apra Silver Scroll), and the NZ herald called him “NZ's toughest minded songwriter”. Barry Saunders from kiwi country legends The Warratahs simply described him as “The Truth”.