Palmerston North’s favourite rocker has wowed fans who packed out a popular venue to see The X Factor finalist.
At least 200 people turned out to welcome Benny Tipene back to his hometown before televised final this weekend.
Crowds gathered outside The Stomach to catch a glimpse of him this afternoon.
He played four songs to the lucky people who got tickets to make it inside, before coming out to play two to the crowd who waited outside for him.
Inside, he opened with the Chris Knox’s hit Not Given Lightly, before playing the two songs he performed on Sunday – Sweet Child o’ Mine by Guns n’ Roses and an original titled Boxes.
He also played Can’t Help falling in Love With You.
He then played Outkast’s Hey Ya and another original – Christina – to the outside crowd.
Benny’s mum, Annette Tipene, said she had spent a bit of time with her son today.
“It wasn’t much time, but it was good to get him home.”
Tipene had said he wanted to get to the top three and play original music on television, which he had accomplished.
“He was always so talented, and The Nerines were so talented as well, so this is always what he was supposed to be doing,” Mrs Tipene said
“It’s great, but we don’t know if life is going to be the same again.
“But we don’t want to lose him to New Zealand – he’s our boy.”
Tipene was greeted with a massive hug by The Stomach manager Craig Black and The Nerines bandmate Fabian O’Hallaran.
He did not bring a guitar with him, so will be playing one loaned to him by his former workplace, the Palmerston North Rockshop.
