Undergrand

Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival 2024 presents Undergrand, a piano performance in a range of compelling locations. Imagine a piano in a park, atop a volcano, on a beach at sunset, in a forest in the late afternoon, on a busy city street with a musician tinkling the ivories...

Creating a surreal atmosphere in tune with leaves, water, the breeze, city traffic and people, Undergrand – a portable baby grand piano – pops up all over Tāmaki Makaurau, with music that moves the spirit and gives us reason to pause and reflect.

With a curated selection of talented rangatahi and professional pianists playing all styles and genres, along with an opportunity for public to share their talents, this pop up piano presents a range of recitals and unforgettable experiences that will undoubtedly make your day better, wherever you may be.

Undergrand travels to Piha, Cornwall Park, Mahurangi, Māngere Maunga, Takutai Square, Queen Street, Mission Bay, Manukau, Devonport, Sylvia Park, Henderson, Wenderholm Regional Park and Takapuna, and will close the Festival with live family karaoke in Aotea Square.

Meet our Pianist: Mark Baynes.

Mark is a jazz pianist with a contemporary leaning residing in Auckland, New Zealand. Alongside his academic pursuits, he is primarily known as a performer, composer, and accompanist. Mark hosts The Jazz Show on 95bFM and contributes to NZ Musician Magazine's X-Factory column. Mark forms one half of the band Goldsmith Baynes, who released an album in 2022, contributing to the Waiata Anthems series and headlining the Tauranga Jazz festival and the Auckland Arts Festival 2023. Mark also made appearances on various New Zealand TV networks and have collaborated with diverse acts in New Zealand, including King Kapisi, Che-Fu, Don McGlashan, Anika Moa, and more.