On 5 September 2025, I got the incredible chance to see Bic Runga’s concert rehearsal! This amazing opportunity was all organised by Play It Strange & Auckland Philharmonia; it all started on 25 August, when I suddenly received an email from Play It Strange.
It was about Bic Runga and an exclusive alumni invitation to a private backstage experience for her rehearsal on the 5 September with the Auckland Philharmonia, the day before her official concert on the 6th! The event would run from 7:00-9:30 PM, and only 15 spots were available. I quickly emailed them back, claiming a spot, and waited three long days in anticipation. On 28 August, I received the confirmation that I had gotten the last spot!
A week later, it was finally the day of the rehearsal.
I drove into the city with my dad, bringing him as my plus one, before heading to Aotea Square where we’d see Bic. All 15 of us alumni with their plus ones met up at BurgerFuel first and exchanged names. We were then given BurgerFuel cards for a free burger dinner at 5:45 PM (so thoughtful)! After dinner we walked to Aotea Square and found our seats at the middle level, where my dad and I claimed two front row seats. From our point of view, we could see the huge orchestra ready to perform. After a few minutes of waiting, Bic Runga walked out from the side, giving us a few waves and smiles from below! At approximately 7:30 PM, the lights dimmed down, when the rehearsal officially began. Bic started with her song “Beautiful Collision”, and it sounded amazing. Even though she mentioned her throat wasn’t perfect that day, her voice was absolutely incredible. The orchestra played beautifully too; seeing how everything came together was an unforgettable experience (There was even a huge disco ball that was lit in different colours).
Between songs, the conductor would stop certain sections to adjust or refine parts of the performance. It was so special to watch the process behind the music! During the rehearsal, Bic introduced two brand-new unreleased songs, which were just as beautiful. As the rehearsal came to an end, she performed her breakthrough hit “Sway”, which peaked at #7 in New Zealand and #10 in Australia, eventually becoming one of her most iconic and streamed songs.
My personal favourite of the night was “Listening to the Weather”, with its ear-catching harmonica melody that plays throughout the song. It has also been a song I’ve loved from her ever since I was young! The rehearsal surprisingly wrapped up at around 8:20 PM.

 
				 
															




