Formed in 1989, The Chaps have impressed and amused audiences throughout New Zealand and Europe. Variously described as banjoless bluegrass, hornless jazz or drumless rock, they have successfully eluded categorisation. So they invented their own quirky label – “Cowboy Lounge”.

Over the years they have played two tours of Europe and the UK and every major New Zealand folk festival and recorded three great albums.

The Chaps were devastated by the death of Marcus Turner in February 2016, but the three remaining members decided to keep playing and to keep Marcus’s legacy alive. They recruited fiddle player Anna Bowen, a long-time friend of the band and fellow musician, allowing The Chaps to ride again!

The Chaps are: John Dodd – double bass, vocals; Hyram Ballard – guitar, dobro, vocals; Anna Bowen- fiddle, mandolin, vocals; Mike Moroney – guitar, mandolin, vocals.

For more information go to www.thechaps.com

The Chaps will provide festival goers with the chance to play and sing along with them, as well as performing in a feature concert and the Sunday evening showcase concert.