Swamp Thing

The first of two bands tonight to celebrate Matarkiki.

Te Whanganui-a-Tara based musicians, Nikita Tu-Bryant and Michael Barker, came together for an improvised festival performance at Corofest in February 2024. Realising their special musical simpatico, Michael invited Nikita to play with Swamp Thing.

These two dynamic multi-instrumentalists play their first show together as Swamp Thing to celebrate and embrace the Maori New Year as their stars align.

Swamp Thing, is a blues and roots juggernaut featuring Michael Barker. In the 2000s, the band developed a good following honing their performances by touring constantly around New Zealand.

Michael has a tremendous pedigree as a drummer with The John Butler Trio and Split Enz. He is also a songwriter, and recently wrote the score for a film recorded here.

Anyone who has seen him playing at Capital Blues, whether as a guest drummer or performing his own songs, knows this will be a treat. Michael is an outstanding musician.