Founders Theatre
Founders Theatre (a.k.a. Founders Memorial Theatre) is located on the corner of Tristram Street and Norton Road (at 221 Tristram Street), and for many years served as the largest indoor venue in Hamilton. The theatre is furnished with seating on a high gradient floor, with a capacity of 1,249, and is generally more suited to concerts by The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and The Royal New Zealand Ballet than to most bands. However, a number of notable international bands have played there in the past (see list, below). Founders Theatre played host to the Waikato Rock Awards in 1993 and 1994.
In the 1990s, Neil Finn, who has played there with Crowded House, was known to bemoan that Founders was the only venue of its size in Hamilton, lamenting that it was inadequate for the purpose of providing an appropriate viewing experience for attending touring bands. This role was eventually taken by Claudelands Arena in 2011.
The building was designed by local firm White, De Lisle and Jenkins, and was opened on 17 November 1962.
Significant Band Performances
- Cilla Black - 10 March 1965
- Manfred Mann and The Kinks - 2 February 1965
- Vera Lynn - 17-19 February 1966 (3 nights)
- Split Enz - 12 July 1975
- Lou Reed - 18 October 1977
- Split Enz - 11 April 1979
- Mi-sex - 30 June 1980
- Jon English - 13 July 1980
- The Cure - 31 July 1980
- Split Enz - 28 April 1981
- Cold Chisel - 19 January 1982
- Men at Work - 8 May 1983
- George Thorogood - 15 May 1983
- Uriah Heap - 30 April 1984
- Split Enz - 2 December 1984
- Tim Finn - 3 July 1986
- Icehouse - 22 July 1986
- Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark - 13 December 1986
- Crowded House - 30 June 1987
- Hoodoo Gurus - 11 November 1987
- Icehouse - 5 February 1988
- Finn Brothers - 6 March 1996
- Neil Finn - 6 March 2001
- Finn Brothers - 2 August 2005
