Our Live Performance Repertoire & Song List

Whether you are planning a high-energy 50th birthday party, an elegant vineyard wedding in Napier, or a corporate celebration in Hastings, Rick Toner offers live music built to get people moving. From the first song through to the final encore, the focus is on great songs, high energy, big singalongs, and a dance floor full of people having a brilliant time.

Rick Toner brings a polished solo production with professional sound and lighting, along with full live band and themed act options for larger events. With different formats available, including Playing Mantis and The 80s Wave, your entertainment can be matched to the style, audience, and atmosphere you want to create.

With a huge library of potential songs and a broad range of musical styles, Rick Toner can move effortlessly between classic rock, Kiwi favourites, pop, funk, soul, 80s hits, and modern party anthems. Here are some examples of the artists and songs that may feature across the wider Rick Toner live music offering throughout Hawke’s Bay.

Classic rock and Kiwi Anthems

 

  • AC/DC – Shook Me All Night Long (High-energy live rock cover)
  • Bon Jovi – Livin' On A Prayer (Classic 80s sing-along anthem)
  • The Killers – Mr. Brightside (Ultimate indie-rock party classic)
  • Queen – Don't Stop Me Now / Fat Bottomed Girls
  • Fleetwood Mac – Go Your Own Way / The Chain / Dreams
  • Bryan Adams – Summer of '69 (Essential event cover band track)
  • Jimmy Barnes – Working Class Man (Pub rock classic)
  • Dragon – April Sun in Cuba / Rain (Kiwi classic live favorites)
  • Exponents – Why Does Love Do This To Me (Essential New Zealand singalong)
  • Th' Dudes – Bliss (Crowd-pleasing kiwi cover)
  • Bruce Springsteen – Dancing In the Dark / Born to Run
  • Coldplay – Yellow / Viva La Vida
  • Foo Fighters – Times Like These / Everlong (Acoustic & full-band style)
  • Kings of Leon – Sex on Fire / Use Somebody
  • ZZ Top – Gimme All Your Lovin' / Sharp Dressed Man
  • Creedence Clearwater Revival – Bad Moon Rising / Proud Mary
  • Oasis – Wonderwall / Don't Look Back In Anger
  • Blink-182 – All The Small Things (90s/2000s punk-pop filler)
  • INXS – Never Tear Us Apart / New Sensation
  • Cold Chisel – Khe Sanh / Flame Trees

 

Pop, Funk & Dancefloor Fillers

 

  • Bruno Mars & Mark Ronson – Uptown Funk (Modern wedding dance smash)
  • Whitney Houston – I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Essential party favorite)
  • ABBA – Dancing Queen / Mamma Mia
  • Earth, Wind & Fire – September (Classic live funk cover)
  • Michael Jackson – Billie Jean / Beat It
  • Stevie Wonder – Superstition / Signed, Sealed, Delivered
  • Daft Punk – Get Lucky (Live acoustic loop format available)
  • Maroon 5 – Moves Like Jagger / Sugar / This Love
  • Dua Lipa – Levitating / Don't Start Now (Modern pop loop cover)
  • The Weeknd – Blinding Lights / Can't Feel My Face
  • Ed Sheeran – Shape of You / Bad Habits / Thinking Out Loud
  • Taylor Swift – Shake It Off / Love Story / Cruel Summer
  • Wild Cherry – Play That Funky Music (Classic disco funk filler)
  • Prince – Purple Rain / Kiss
  • Lionel Richie – All Night Long / Dancing on the Ceiling
  • Amy Winehouse – Valerie (Soulful dancefloor filler)
  • George Michael – Faith / Freedom '90

 

Soul, Slow Dances & Mood Setters

 

  • Marvin Gaye – Let's Get It On / How Sweet It Is (Smooth soul classics)
  • Al Green – Let's Stay Together (Top-tier wedding dance track)
  • The Temptations – My Girl (Timeless multi-generational singalong)
  • Ben E. King – Stand By Me (Classic soulful floor filler)
  • Ray Charles – I Got a Woman (Upbeat vintage rhythm & blues)
  • Bill Withers – Lovely Day / Lean on Me (Soulful crowd favorites)
  • The Jackson 5 – I Want You Back / Blame It on the Boogie
  • Elvis Presley – Can't Help Falling In Love (Traditional wedding first dance)
  • Eric Clapton – Wonderful Tonight (Classic slow grab anthem)
  • Elton John – Your Song / Tiny Dancer / Rocket Man
  • Billy Joel – Piano Man / Just the Way You Are
  • John Legend – All of Me (Modern wedding favorite ballad)
  • Etta James – At Last (Soulful wedding first dance standard)
  • Leon Bridges – Beyond / Coming Home (Smooth modern soul grooves)
  • Chris Isaak – Wicked Game (Atmospheric moody rock cover)
  • Sam Smith – Stay With Me / Latch
  • Adele – Make You Feel My Love / Rolling in the Deep
  • James Taylor – Fire and Rain / You've Got a Friend
  • The Righteous Brothers – Unchained Melody
  • Lewis Capaldi – Someone You Loved

 

Have A Favourite Song In Mind?

Can’t see your ultimate anthem or first dance song listed? Get in touch and tell us what you would love to hear. Rick Toner’s extensive music library covers everything from wedding favourites and soulful slow dances to classic rock, Kiwi anthems, 80s hits, modern pop, and high-energy party tracks.

Whether you are organising a wedding in Napier, a milestone celebration in Hastings, a vineyard event in Havelock North, or a corporate function anywhere across Hawke’s Bay, the music can be shaped around your crowd and your night.

Tell us about your date, venue, guests, and the kind of atmosphere you want to create. We’ll help you find the right Rick Toner live music option to get the party started and keep the dance floor moving.