The recent full-house Brooke Fraser concert at Spark Arena in Auckland was for more than just nostalgic fans
Brooke Fraser performs at Spark Arena with the Auckland Philharmonia. Photo: Tom Grut
Brooke Fraser's homecoming show was a hit - the 'Something in the Water' star performed with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra late last month. Her show reportedly drew the biggest ever crowd for a New Zealand solo artist at Spark Arena.
But the audience was drawn from more than just Fraser fans from two decades ago. She has a massive following amongst Christians.
Now based in Los Angeles, Fraser performs Christian songs under her married name 'Brooke Ligertwood" and has been one of the leading members of Hillsong Worship, the music arm of the controversial Hillsong Church.
LA-based Kiwi journalist David Farrier believes that's not widely known.
"I've been wanting to write about this other aspect to her for a while now and it just seemed that her performing this record-breaking solo concert in New Zealand was a good opportunity to talk about it," he says.
"She's had this really close, interesting relationship with one of the biggest megachurches on the earth - Hillsong - and I think that's just something that a lot of people don't know and I think it's worth addressing," he says.
Hillsong has been in the news over recent years for its controversies - its leader Brian Houston left after allegations of inappropriate conduct with two women.
"There are some deeply problematic power dynamics in these churches," Farrier says.
"There are various views that a church like Hillsong carries - not at all inclusive towards the LBGTQI community, they have some really dicey thoughts on the role of women.
"I would argue that Hillsong is not a good place to be involved in and [Fraser] has been a big part of their marketing campaign. I just think we should acknowledge that, she has profited a lot off this church."
The Detail also speaks to Graham Burt, the executive director of Christian music gathering, Festival One. Festival One is now in its 11th year, starting in 2015 after the demise of Parachute the year before.
Burt says allegations around Hillsong and through other megachurches like Arise are "heart breaking" and "terrible".
He says he's trying to create an inclusive culture through his festival.
"I think by being incredibly deliberate about how you do things, you can avoid the excesses that you're talking about and that break both of our hearts, which is where you end up with a highly hierarchical structure where people are taken advantage of, which is just plain wrong.
"What I'm longing for is to write the protest songs again....I'm encouraging people around me to go 'look at the excesses in our own community, look at what's going on - call it out, write about it'... I'm beginning to see that as a new trend."
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