“Two drifters off to see the world” as the song goes, a romantic vision, a dream of two pals one lonesome, one a wide river, an apt mission statement for two of New Zealand’s most lively raconteurs the veteran gentleman of the road, and the young Turk, Gary McCormick and Adam McGrath.

Both need little introduction if any but for nearly fifty years McCormick has been a beloved part of the kiwi fabric, from the rolling, surf riding, poetry slinging little brother of the road during his wild years with Sam Hunt, through to the country’s favourite uncle across our tv screens in the late eighties and nineties to the wily veteran who kept our spirits up through radios nationwide, Gary has seen everything, learned every story and found a direct line in making Kiwis, happier, wiser, more understanding of their big little country and has done it all with a good humor, a stiff drink and a turn of phrase that makes everyone believe he’s their friend.

McGrath has carved a dogged place in the nations hearts as one of our favourite folk singers, award winning, plaudit gathering and named once as “New Zealand’s toughest minded songwriter”, he’s grown from the young rowdy rambler into one of the country’s most astute communicators, afraid of no man nor no stage he’s seen every floor and rest stop in these wild isles and ticks off 100 plus shows a year and shows no sign of quitting.

The Mainline tour was born out over a tribute drink down in the Lyttelton Arms Pub the day Gary’s old road buddy Tim Shadbolt passed. Gary, Tim and the aforementioned Sam Hunt, all laid the blueprint for McGrath’s life and work; strong art, deep words, high jinks and a natural way built for all comers. The idea of a tour was inevitable.

This Year will see them driving hard nationwide, sharing Stories, Songs, poems and crack ups all designed to make sense of who we are, where we’ve been, where we’re going and what in the hell it’s all meant to mean.

Built for Farmers, Teachers, Solo mums, Labourers, gamblers, high rollers, broke hearts and broke asses, big hearts, tired minds, greenies, weirdos, straights, bankers and bullshitters, the mainline hopes to carry us all. Get on board, this train is bound for glory!