The Undertones – Powerstation July 12, 2017
Bands! If you want to sell out The Powerstation, take a cue from The Undertones…record a handful of catchy, punky pop tunes, then wait 35 years to finally get around to playing in Auckland.
Pallbearer – Whammy! Bar July 8, 2017
Back in 2012 newcomers Pallbearer caused an immediate stir with their debut album Sorrow and Extinction. In a doom metal scene where the most popular sounds were embracing the extreme versions of the genre, or buried in layers of stoner fuzz, Sorrow and Extinction stood out as clean, melodic, epic and meticulously layered.
The Bads – Tuning Fork July 7, 2017
The Bads presented their latest album, Losing Heroes, to a roomful of fans and fellow musicians last night at Auckland’s Tuning Fork, proving, once again, that they are gems in New Zealand’s musical crown.
The Wedding Present – The Kings Arms July 4, 2017
The Wedding Present holds a special place in the hearts of many Kiwi music lovers…they are still buzzing about the last NZ visit a couple of years ago. And so, the veteran band from Leeds returned to Auckland’s Kings Arms to light a fire under the crowd one more time.
Aldous Harding – Pah Homestead July 1, 2017
Rather than celebrate a triumphant homecoming at a large venue such as The Powerstation or The Civic, Aldous Harding chose to play three nights at the very intimate Pah Homestead. For anyone who has followed Harding’s career, the decision seems par for the course… ‘expect the unexpected’ could easily be her motto.
Polish Club – Whammy! Bar June 30, 2017
Australian duo Polish Club performed their first overseas show last night after crossing The Tasman to play at Auckland’s Whammy Bar. A small, but enthusiastic crowd was there to greet them. Polish Club consists of drummer John-Henry and guitarist/vocalist Novak. Yes, it’s another 2-man rock duo, and sorry bass players, but they seem to […]
Tony Daunt & The Dauntless – Wine Cellar June 30, 2017
Things were hopping at St Kevin’s Arcade last night. The Wine Cellar put on a triple bill headlined by Tony Daunt & The Dauntless who were there to celebrate the release of their new album, The Gypsy.
Hanson – Auckland Town Hall June 27, 2017
The Hanson Brothers returned to New Zealand for a show at Auckland’s Town Hall last night. The 13th Floor’s Kate Powell MMMBopped her way down Queen Street to catch them.
Ben Ottewell – Tuning Fork June 23, 2017
With his band Gomez on indefinite hiatus, gravelly-voiced Ben Ottewell carries on with his solo career. He’s just released his third album and, last night, he presented a good portion of that record to a live audience at Auckland’s Tuning Fork…his second solo show there in three years.
Finn Andrews – Leigh Sawmill June 17, 2017
Stephen Allely travels north to catch The Veils‘ frontman’s solo set… Arriving after a hike at Goat Island and watching the sunset over the exquisite Hauraki Gulf at 6.30, we had plenty of time to soak up the ambience of the charming venue at the sawmill prior to the music starting a few hours later. […]
Boney M – Bruce Mason Centre June 16, 2017
Seventies disco hitmakers Boney M brought their 9-date New Zealand tour to Auckland last night. With shows in Dunedin and Christchurch generating bad reactions from fans, the 4-piece group had their work cut out for them.
Harold López-Nussa Trio – Wellington Opera House 11 June 2017
What a treat, to finish this year’s festival with the Harold López-Nussa Trio. Beaming ear-to-ear, all three, which included Horacio Hernandez (electric bass) and ‘Harry’s’ brother Ruy Adrian (drums) exuded radiant energy, and a real sense of fun.
The Comet Is Coming: Wellington Jazz Festival, Wellington Opera House, 10 June 2017
The Comet is Coming came, saw and conquered, leaving an explosion of psychedelic dust in its wake and the uncontrollable urge for Festival goers to get down and boogie. Wellington was passionate about The Comet, nearly selling out the Opera House for their Jazz Festival performance.
The Jac and Black String – Seoul Jazz, Wellington Opera House – 10 June 2017
Ever since Wellington’s Jazz Festival was taken over by the International Arts Festival crew this five-day event has grown from strength to strength. Last night featuring The Jac and Black String.
Million Dollar Quartet – Civic Theatre June 9, 2017
Million Dollar Quartet, the Tony-nominated musical based on an impromptu jam session at Sun Studios in 1956 between Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins, opened its seven-day run at Auckland’s Civic Theatre last night.
Wolfmother – Powerstation June 9, 2017
Australian hard rock band Wolfmother rocked the Powerstation last night. An auspicious date, coinciding with the full moon.
I Love The 90s! – Trusts Stadium June 3, 2017
The roof, the roof, the roof was on fire (not literally, but in a 90’s Hip-Hop kind of way) in last’s night’s I love 90’s tour show at the Trusts Arena. As Salt N Pepa said ‘Hip-Hop is in da house’ and they weren’t lying.
Radical Face – Tuning Fork June 3, 2017
Ben Cooper, aka Radical Face, performed a dozen or so songs last night touching on topics such as murder, domestic violence, matricide and suicide and somehow made everyone who attended feel better for having experienced the show.
The Music Of Cream: 50th Anniversary Tour – Aotea Centre June 2, 2017
Prepare yourself, for better or worse, this is mostly likely the future of live music. Instead of classic rock trio Cream (Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker, Jack Bruce), we are presented with Baker and Bruce’s sons along with the son of a Clapton family friend and a couple of ringers…former Deep Purple/Black Sabbath member Glenn […]
DJ Shadow – Powerstation June 2, 2017
Humility is not one of the first things you expect when going to see a live performer. Even less so when the performer is a beloved part of their genre with a successful career stretching over two decades. Even less so when their career started with one of Those Albums, one that exploded into such […]