Sam Cullen: A Rugby Park gig that 'means heaps'
“I love watching rugby, but I always thought it would be awesome to play a gig here at some stage."
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The opportunity to play a gig at Rugby Park is somewhat personal for Sam Cullen.
The born and bred talented Southland musician - who is now based in Auckland - will return to Invercargill to perform in front of what’s hoped to be a big crowd at Rugby Park on Saturday night.
His connection to the venue stretches back some way.
His grandfather Blair was once the Rugby Park groundsman for over a decade, while Sam also spent a lot of time at the venue as a kid. His father Bob was heavily involved with the Blues Rugby Club before later working at Rugby Park for Rugby Southland.
“It means heaps to be honest, having grown up going to Rugby Park with the old man and watching rugby,” Sam said about the chance to take centre stage at the venue.
“I love watching rugby, but I always thought it would be awesome to play a gig here at some stage.
“It’s pretty special to go back this year and play to what should be a pretty decent crowd for the Stags.”
To add to his connection with Rugby Park, last year Cullen filmed a music video at the venue for his song The Cold Midwinter.
Sam Cullen was initially approached in April about the prospect of playing at Rugby Park following a Stags game this season and was excited by the prospect.
Weather permitting, Rugby Southland will put on the inner city's largest fireworks display in many years on Saturday night as part of the ILT’s 80-year birthday celebrations.
Cullen will also perform on the night as part of the celebration which will follow the Southland-Taranaki NPC rugby game which will kick-off at 7.05pm.
The plan is that Cullen will make a brief appearance at halftime before then playing a longer set after fulltime for those in attendance.
Cullen said the chance to play at Rugby Park in front of such a big crowd was another example of the support he has received from his home province as he continues his music journey.
“It’s not every day you get to play a stadium in this country, that is for sure. Obviously, I love coming home.
“I said at the [Southland] Music Awards when I was last down that there are very few artists that have that sort of support from their hometown, so I am forever grateful.”
Cullen received the Southland Music Ambassador Award at the Southland Music Awards last month.
Meanwhile, Cullen has just finished writing his debut album.
“I need to get the post-production and mixing and mastering done on that and get that rolled out at the start of the year.”
He is also preparing for a big summer of gigs but first though is Rugby Park on Saturday night.