Winery tour a pleaser for artists and audience

With picnics packed and rain jackets on standby, the crowd was buzzing on Friday night at the More FM Winery Tour.

Opshop, Anika Moa and Dave Dobbyn all took to the stage at Villa Maria Estate at Fairhall, to entertain the crowd of more than 2000.

Co-promoter Campbell Smith said the winery tour's first performance in Blenheim went so well that it would definitely be coming back.

"Its a terrific venue. We had a great crowd and the artists loved it."

Despite battling jet lag after arriving in New Zealand on Friday morning, Canadian Vanda Borean attended the early-evening concert.

"The bands have been extraordinary, and the backdrop ... the sense of community here is great." Ms Borean said she arrived on Friday especially so she could attend the concert with friends who lived in Blenheim.

Anika Moa's charismatic stage performance was the highlight of her evening.

Ashburton resident Jennie Holmes was travelling through Marlborough when she heard the concert advertised. A fan of Dave Dobbyn, she did not hesitate to reorganise her night to attend: "It was just fantastic."

Jeannine Roodakker said the Wallace Diack social club decided the event would provide a great mixture of music, wine and scenery to cater for everyone.

While most of the group were holding out to see Dave Dobbyn, it was Anika Moa's performance which had Ms Roodakker grooving.

"She was absolutely fantastic. I have been to her concerts before and she is always good."

Free non-alcoholic drinks were provided for sober drivers.

The concert ended with Dave Dobbyn and Opshop performing together, much to the crowd's delight.