The Response – Novel Idea (13th Floor Album Review)
The depth of music in this land is extraordinary. A month ago I hadn’t heard of The Response, yet here they are on repeat in my head, playing on he inner jukebox in the most delicious way.
Robin Kearns
About Robin Kearns
Posts by Robin Kearns:
Paul McLaney – The Daylight Moon (13th Floor Album Review)
Majestic and meditative. Two words that immediately surface in response to Paul McLaney’s new offering The Daylight Moon. After a long run of albums as the constant presence in ‘post-prog’ band Gramsci, McLaney now offers a solo project.
The Warratahs – Burning Daylight (Southbound) (13th Floor Album Review)
Barry Saunders and The Warratahs have just released their new album, Burning Daylight, one that has The 13th Floor’s Robin Kearns thinking…here are his thoughts.
10cc and Georgia Lines – Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre: July 12, 2025 (13th Floor Concert Review)
10cc brought their Ultimate Ultimate Hits Tour to Auckland last night and The 13th Floor’s Robin Kearns took to the ferry to find out if one original member makes a band. Chris Zwaagdyk provides photographic evidence.
Story The Crow Told Me – Ketch Secor (Equal Housing Records)
This is no ordinary country album. But we should expect nothing less from Ketch Secor: writer, archivist, public speaker, multi-instrumentalist and founder of Old Crow Medicine Show.
Marlon Williams and KOMMI – Spark Arena: June 21, 2025
It’s old time waiata on the sound system as Spark Arena fills. This wouldn’t be my choice of venue, I mutter within, descending the steep concrete steps, feet sticking to concrete floor from accumulations of beer spillage at past shows. I want to see Marlon Williams, but not here. But by the end, I see […]
Van Morrison – Remembering Now (Exile Productions/Virgin Records)
Van Morrison fans tend to be loyal. My friend Tim named his dog after the musician. And back when I was 21, I was besotted enough with Van to go to Ireland and take a train south of Dublin just to walk The Streets of Arklow (a favourite song off 1974’s Veedon Fleece).
Phoebe Rings – Aseurai (Carpark Records)
There’s something otherworldly about Phoebe Rings’ debut album: a somewhat mysterious title and a sound as transporting as the band’s name suggests. And maybe it’s just what we need in these times.
Hollie Smith – Artworks Theatre, Waiheke Island: June 6, 2025
This year NZ Music Month is leaking into June. At least on Waiheke where Hollie Smith has brought The Bones Tour to the island’s theatre. Sold out and not surprising. Despite only 40 minutes away by ferry, we rarely get the bigger names in Kiwi music here.
Dave Dobbyn & Delaney Davidson – Auckland Town Hall: June 4, 2025
Last night…described as ‘Selected Songs’ amounted to a dream set list, reaching back into a catalogue of Aotearoa’s finest compositions that zero in on Dave Dobbyn’s central themes: love, hope and rootedness in this land.