Vanessa AKA Ness Abernethy, is a Kiwi-born singer, vocal coach, dancer and actor who is passionate about performing with excellence. She has been in the entertainment industry for over 20 years.
In June 2023 Ness, performing in her duo “2Fold” with John Gorbey were “discovered” famously by Michael Buble, who was eating at the Auckland Fish Market with his wife and family, he loved her voice and the duo so much he asked if they would perform at his concert, and he featured them that night opening his show performing “Up Where We Belong” to an audience of 14,000! During the next few days both Ness and John did a phenomenal media schedule on television and radio, discussing this amazing happening.
Following on from this she was voted Top Female Artist in October 2023 by her peers, fellow entertainers of the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand. The Awards are also known as The Bennys. ABBA Heaven, which contains the same members as Sugar Town, won Top Group Award.
Ness has recorded TV and radio ads for Bigpop, and has performed on NZ “Stars in Their Eyes” TV Show as Melissa Etheridge in a power house performance. She has sung the National Anthem for televised netball and has been a soloist for Coca Cola’s Christmas in the Park. She is also Tami Nielson’s backing vocalist for all her tours.
She has a rich, powerful voice which is very versatile, singing a variety of styles from jazz, to rock, pop to funk, from old school slow jams to funky 70s and 80s hits, as well as today’s chart toppers. She enjoys performing live and knows how to entertain and engage a crowd.
Keeping it simple, she also performs covers as a solo artist at different venues across Auckland, sings with a covers duo called 2Fold and performs in her own Stevie Nick Xperience Show, where she performs as Stevie Nicks, with a 6 piece live band in a two and a half hour show. She is also “Agnetha” in ABBA Heaven! NZ’s own ABBA Tribute Band which shares members with SUGAR TOWN, a flexible group from 2-5 piece.
