Global underground concert series calls for refugee action

New Zealand has hosted the first of more than 300 worldwide underground music gigs in support of refugees.

Sofar Sounds and Amnesty International teamed up for the global concert series, calling on governments around the world to act.

For the Auckland show on Wednesday night, a small, cozy lounge room in Mt Albert turned into live music venue.

Until the day before, the concertgoers had no idea where the gig was going to be and until they walked in the door, they had no idea who was playing.

"It's just all about coming along to discover new artists and so we keep it a secret, and then on the night you find out who's playing and it's a good way to meet new people and discover some new local talent," Sofar Sounds' Erica McQueen told Newshub.

Kiwi artist Theia was among the night's line-up and like many artists who perform at Sofar gigs, jumped at the chance to play in such an intimate setting, free of distractions and background noise.

"Tonight to be able to take my music and reinterpret it in an acoustic setting, is really amazing," she told Newshub.

Sofar Sounds was created in London in 2009 and has now spread across 375 cities worldwide.

Gigs could be held in an office, an old furniture store or like this show, someone's home.

Wednesday's gig held a special meaning.

It's part of a joint venture by Sofar Sounds and Amnesty International called Give a Home, shining a light on the global refugee crisis.

"This is about a celebration of people of music of hope. We have refugee background artists here tonight," Amnesty International's Meg de Ronde told Newshub.

One of those artists was Ives Rose, from Burundi in East Africa.

"Majority of us actually came to New Zealand under the refugee quota program," he told Newshub.

"I never drummed back home, but it was just when we arrived here you get that sense of missing home."

All the funds raised from the 300 gigs around the world will help support Amnesty's work documenting human rights violations and pushing governments to find a solution for the refugee crisis.

Newshub.