Broods – Auckland Town Hall (Concert Review) 13 Feb 2015
Broods’ debut album Evergreen hasn’t even reached the six-month anniversary of it’s release into the wild but this brother-sister duo from Nelson had no problem filling up Auckland’s Town Hall last night. This was the fourth stop on the Evergreen tour that finishes up tonight in Hamilton. Nashville-based support act HalfNoise – former Paramore drummer […]
King Missile IV – The Kings Arms (Concert Review) 12 Feb 2015
It was a small, but enthusiastic crowd that greeted John S Hall and his latest incarnation of King Missile as they took the stage late on Thursday night at Auckland’s Kings Arms. There had been a parade of opening acts including Lovey Dove, the husband and wife duo of Dan West (guitar) and Azalia Snail […]
CJ Ramone – The Kings Arms (Concert Review)
Presenting himself as something like “the last man standing” (with apologies to Marky Ramone), CJ Ramone paid tribute to his fallen band mates with a solid, if somewhat predictable, set of Ramones tunes, peppered with a few of his own. I was at the Vector Arena earlier in the evening to review Roxette, so when […]
Roxette – Vector Arena (Concert Review) 7 February 2015
Yes, they’ve still got the look, but do they have the sound? Swedish popsters Roxette blew into town last night giving audience members reason to wallow in a bit of nostalgia. As it turned out, it didn’t matter how they sounded as the fans did a fair share of the singing. With most of their […]
Passenger – Civic Theatre (Concert Review) 30 January 2015
“You might have thought Passenger were a band,” Michael Rosenberg told Auckland’s Civic last night. “Auckland, it’s just you, me and a guitar. Is that OK?” The two-thousand strong audience certainly seemed not to mind. Rosenberg, performing since 2009 as Passenger following the breakup of the band of the same name, opened with Rolling Stone, […]
Paul Simon & Sting Vector Arena (Concert Review) 30 January 2015
There were enough musical instruments on stage to stock a good-sized shop as the somewhat unlikely pair of Paul Simon and Sting joined forces (and bands) to sing their own and each other’s songs to a sold-out crowd at Auckland’s Vector Arena. Judging from the smile of Paul Simon’s face as he and his new […]
Laneway Update
Mayor Len Brown is just introducing Mac Demarco as I make my way to the media area to file this report. I’ve just seen Connan Mockasin, Angel Olsen and Courtney Barnett. I’ve gotta say Connan was a bit of a disappointment. His neo-psychedelic noodlings were long and aimless. Much more focussed was Angel Olsen. The […]
Laneway Is Underway!
Auckland’s Laneway Festival has just begun. The sold-out show will be running all day down at Silo Park. The 13th Floor has already scored an interview with Courtney Barnett. You’ll be able to watch Courtney talk about her highly-anticipated new album soon on The 13th Floor. Here’s a photo of Tiny Ruins looking resplendent in […]
At Last: The Etta James Story – Aotea Centre, 28 November 2014
Vika Bull and The Essential R&B Band have been performing this “narrative concert” based on the life and music of Etta James in Australia for over a year. Now, Vika brings her show to Auckland for one performance at the Aotea Centre. Most New Zealanders will be familiar with Vika Bull through her recordings with […]
Brant Bjork – The Kings Arms June 6, 2014
Thursday night at The Kings Arms it was all about the riff as former Kyuss member Brant Bjork brought his Low Desert Punk tour to Auckland and rocked the house relentlessly. There are times when you just need to be overwhelmed by the power of two guitars, a bass and drums, and fortunately, this was […]
Primate in Auckland
After a punishing Australian and japan tour, Primate arrived in New Zealand amid a earthquake; bringing Kevin’s bad luck with them! A earthquake was a fitting arrival, as they shook the kings arms up and woke Auckland out of its rainy monday night stupor. I interviewed them before the show, and am happy to report […]
Mudhoney Photos!
The 13th Floor just received these pix of Mudhoney performing at The Kings Arms on Friday night from Keith Murdoch so we thought we’d share them with you.
Dave Dobbyn & Don McGlashan – Holy Trinity Cathedral (Concert Review)
It seemed like such a natural thing, you have to wonder why it hadn’t happened before. Two of New Zealand’s most accomplished songwriters sharing the stage and their songs. Dave Dobbyn and Don McGlashan each have an incredible legacy of songs that are uniquely “New Zealand”. Those songs seemed to strike even more resonance when […]
Peter Jefferies Concert Photos
One of the opening acts for Amanda Palmer’s show at The Kings Arms this Friday was Kiwi artist Peter Jefferies. Jefferies has been a hero for Palmer with her performing his songs throughout her career. On this tour, the somewhat reclusive Jefferies agreed to perform a brief opening set. Thanks to Simon Kay for providing […]
Amanda Palmer – Kings Arms (Photo Gallery)
Amanda Palmer & The Grand Theft Orchestra blazed through a set at Auckland’s Kings Arms on Friday night. The 13th Floor’s Veronica McLaughlin was there with her camera and has filed a photographic report.
Bobby Womack – Civic Theatre – 18 May 2013
R&B veteran Bobby Womack brought a classic soul revue to Auckland’s Civic Theatre. With a set list and a red suit rooted firmly in the 1970s, Womack and his excellent band played two hours of vintage rhythm and blues. With rumours circulating about the state of Bobby Womack’s health, there was always an air of […]
Mutton Birds Photos
The Mutton Birds played at Auckland’s Kings Arms earlier this week. They will be performing at Villa Maria Estate on Sunday with Gin Wigmore and Avalanche City. Here are a few photos taken by Michael Flynn at the Kings Arms to get you ready for Sunday’s show:
More Dresden Dolls Photos
Here’s another batch of photos taken at last night’s Dresden Dolls show by Michael Flynn. Click Click any image to view a full-size gallery:
Explosions In The Sky Meet Guitar Wolf – Concert Review/Opinion Piece, 17 December 2011
Explosions In The Sky is a four-piece “post-rock” band from Texas who play instrumental music. Guitar Wolf is a three-piece punk band from Japan who worship at the altar of The Ramones. Both bands played in Auckland last night and I saw most of both of their sets. While they sound like very different bands…there […]
Jason Mraz – Civic Theatre, Auckland 15 November 2011
Internationally revered recording artist, Jason Mraz, has announced plans for a special international tour, an extraordinary itinerary that will see the Grammy Award-winning tunesmith visiting North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and New Zealand with one very special show at the Civic Theatre, Auckland on Tuesday 15th November. This will be the only show in […]