Roachford – Tuning Fork: May 28, 2025 (13th Floor Concert Review)
Andrew Roachford brought his 80s-style r&b to the Tuning Fork while channeling the soul greats of the 60s and 70s.
The Lemonheads – Double Whammy: May 28, 2025 (13th Floor Concert Review)
The Lemonheads returned to Auckland, selling out Double Whammy. Simon Coffey was on the scene and files this report.
Crying Ivy – Fission: 13th Floor New Song Of The Day
Crying Ivy hail from Auckland, NZ. The 4 piece heavy psych drifters Crying Ivy’s first single Fission sees the band exploring droning, skull-fracturing sludge driven forward by mechanical riffs and grinding instrumentation. Matching the hulking energy of their thunderous live shows, Fission is a celebration of heaving melodies that complement the raging shredding.
Train – Auckland Town Hall: May 28, 2025 (13th Floor Concert Review)
Auckland was in full chaos mode. Rain poured down on a Wednesday at the final days of NZ music month, and just up the road from Auckland Town Hall, a surprise Lorde pop-up gig had fans scrambling to find the right queue. But inside the Town Hall, something entirely different was unfolding — a night […]
The Minus 5 – Oar On, Penelope (Yep Roc) (13th Floor Album Review)
If the end of the world had a jukebox, The Minus 5 would be the house band, playing literate songs loudly, and barely holding it together in the way only seasoned musicians can do well. Their latest release, Oar On, Penelope, is a full-throttle collage of garage rock squall, surreal Americana, and barbed-wire wit.
Valerie June On Owls, Omens, Oracles and Dreads: 13th Floor MusicTalk Interview
West Tennessee native Valerie June has released her sixth studio album. Owls, Omens and Oracles is produced by M. Ward and is “a radical statement to break skepticism, surveillance, and doom scrolling – to let yourself celebrate your aliveness.”
Rick Derringer Has Died At Age 77: R.I.P.
We are sad to learn that Rick Derringer, guitarist for The McCoys and solo artist, has died, age 77 in Ormond Beach, Florida. An official cause of death was not initially released.
Purple Dog – Always And Forever: 13th Floor New Song Of The Day
Purple Dog is an indie rock band from Ōtepoti, a band of five music students who create an eclectic sound inspired by the likes of Alvvays, Slow Pulp and The Kooks.
The Minus 5 On Mott, Marianne and Why The Bird Is The Word: 13th Floor MusicTalk Interview
The Minus 5, formed in 1993 by Scott McCaughey (Young Fresh Fellows) and Peter Buck (R.E.M.) are about to release Oar On, Penelope!, their first album in five years.
Michael Llewellyn – I’m Gorgeous (13th Floor Album Review)
Wellington-based musician Michael Llewellyn celebrates New Zealand Month with his second album release I’m Gorgeous.
Powder Chutes Are On The Move: 13th Floor MusicTalk Interview
Wanaka rockers Powder Chutes are celebrating the release of their self-titled debut album with a nation-wide tour, which comes to Auckland’s Whammy Bar this coming Thursday.
Snarky Puppy – Powerstation: May 25, 2025 (13th Floor Concert Review)
Snarky Puppy returned after a 6-year hiatus to bring their brand of fusion jazz to Auckland and the sold-out Powerstation crowd was very happy to have them back.
Marc Ribot – Map Of A Blue City (New West Records)
Marc Ribot is a musician you’ve probably never heard of but more than likely you’ve heard his music.
OneRepublic Announce Eagerly Awaited Return To Australia & New Zealand For The Sweet Escape Tour 2026
Today GRAMMY® nominated US band OneRepublic, headed up by acclaimed singer/songwriter and lead vocalist Ryan Tedder, announce their highly anticipated return to Australia and New Zealand for The Sweet Escape Tour in February 2026. Special guest is award-winning pop superstar Zara Larsson.
Jenny Mitchell – Building The Perfect Forest House: 13th Floor MusicTalk Interview
Kiwi Country singer Jenny Mitchell has just released her fourth album, Forest House…recorded in a house in Pirinoa (Wairarapa), it explores all of the experiences that can happen within four walls; the welcoming, heartbreaking, healing and everything in between.
Calla of Ursa – Animal Reaction (13th Floor Album Review)
Bold, unique, and thematically ambitious Animal Reaction is the latest release from Aotearoa artist Calla of Ursa (Calla Rebecca Knudson-Hollebone). Blending operatic technique, tribal rhythms, acoustic instruments, and cinematic production, the album explores the connections between personal vulnerability and broader struggles, in particular those of women, animals, and the environment.
Jude Kelly – Whammy Bar: May 24, 2025 (13th Floor Concert Review)
Jude Kelly celebrated the release of her debut EP, The Seven Spirits Of Her, with a very spirited show at Auckland’s favourite dive bar, Whammy.
Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts – Talkin’ To The Trees: 13th Floor New Song Of The Day
Time out from New Zealand Music Month for just a moment as we bring you this new song from Neil Young and his new band, The Chrome Hearts.
Swallow the Rat, Memory Foam & Warm Leather – Whammy Bar: May 23, 2025
Swallow the Rat kicked off their Aotearoa tour tonight, releasing a new EP – Face Unpopular, and also announcing an 18-date tour of Europe in September. With fellow Tamaki Makaurau post-punker Memory Foam on the bill, an evening of riffs, rhythms and raciousness lay ahead for 13th Floor Reviewer Simon Coffey.
Voom – Double Whammy: May 23, 2025 (13th Floor Concert Review)
Double Whammy was the place to be on this Friday night in May as New Zealand Music Month marches on to the sounds of Voom.