Advertise on podcast: Free FM – The Free Breakfast

Chaplin is based on the real-life story of Charlie Chaplin, the iconic film actor, writer, producer and director. The new musical spans the comic’s entire career, and is on-stage at The Meteor in Hamilton April 13-20. Free FM's Mike Williams had the producer and director of the play, Jonty Climo, in the studio to talk about the show.

After seven years of involvement with Free FM, in various guises, Kelli Pike hosted The Free Breakfast for the final time today. She took the opportunity to share some thoughts about her journey on air, and her passion for Kirikiriroa.

The Twits by Roald Dahl, adapted for the stage by David Wood, tells the story of the spiteful Mr and Mrs Twit. Director Lorna Ashton, and Janine Swainson starring as Mrs Twit, join Mike in the studio to discuss the show as part of the Hamilton Arts Festival on 23 February, 25 February and 3 March.

One of the acts in this year's Hamilton Arts Festival is Kōpū — a cheeky ballad of a show sharing the songs of our young wāhine Māori as they navigate this world, hairy nipples first, following in the footsteps of our naughty nannies from the kāuta. A kāhui whetū of multi-talented performers weave live music, performance, poetry, and poi to share a hilarious honest account of their experiences of wāhinetanga now: the duality of being fiercely everything at once. One of the performers, Tuakoi Ohia, talks with Cate Prestidge about the show. Kōpū is on stage at the Emporium of Scintillating Wonders, Hamilton Gardens, on Saturday 24 February at 8:00pm.

Canadian singer/songwriter Tina Turley is back in the country again (she was last here almosta a year ago) and will be seen on stage at the Pirongia Bonnets, Blues and BBQs Festival this Saturday (17 February) and at Frankton Thunder on 10 March. She joined Mike Williams to talk about her work, and her affaection for this part of the world.

Hamilton Mayor Paula Southgate speaks to Mike about the ‘massive’ impact on projected rates after councils have been instructed to retain water services.

The first-ever To The Front Kirikiriroa holiday programme is coming to Hamilton in the school holidays of July 2024. Born from Girls Rock Camp Aotearoa in 2017 the gender-inclusive music development programme encourages young women, trans, intersex, takatāpui and gender diverse youth to embrace their creativity in a safe space. Guided by experienced music industry professionals, this newest edition of To The Front is the fourth location in New Zealand to host the programme, and we welcomed Lora Thompson and Lauren Kerr-Bell on this morning’s Free Breakfast to tell us more.

Waipā deputy mayor Liz Stolwyk updates us from the council chamber.

Kirikiriroa duo Bird Machine are launching their second EP on Feb 23, including the single 'You'll Be Fine'. They joined Mike in the Free FM studio to play the song live, and to talk about their upcoming Hey Human EP.

Multi award winning singer and composer Taisha Tari spoke with Cate Prestidge about her journey into music, her career highlights, exploring her whakapapa and her new show Woven, which will debut at the Hamilton Arts Festival.

Melissa Smith, co-chair and spokesperson at Bike Waikato, takes stock of the cycling infrastructure projects that have been cancelled in Kirikiriroa by central government - but also on the flipside, celebrates those that will be going ahead. She also discusses the activities taking place in the region over Bike Month.

The Minister of Transport Simeon Brown has written to Hamilton Mayor Paula Southgate and Hamilton City Council’s Chief Executive Lance Vervoort, to inform them of his decisions regarding the Transport Choices programme. All projects put on hold at the end of October 2023 will not receive any further funding, and therefore will not proceed to implementation/construction as part of the Transport Choices programme. On the Free Breakfast, we run through some of the projects impacted.