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 […]
Peter Davison and the Dr Who Symphonic Spectacular (Interview)
The 13th Floor has hooked up Professor Matthew R.X. Dentith, author of the book The Philosophy Of Conspiracy Theories with former Dr Who, Peter Davison. The two recently spoke ahead of Davison’s appearance at the upcoming Symphonic Spectacular, which he will be the MC. Here is Prof. Dentith’s report: Surely you’ve heard of Peter Davison? […]
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 […]
Watch My Baby’s 13th Floor Video Session
Things have been hopping up at the 13th Floor studio this new year. The latest band to stop by and record a video session is Amsterdam’s My Baby. The three-piece consists of Kiwi Daniel Johnston on guitar along with the Dutch brother and sister team of Joost and Cato van Dyck. Cato sings and Yoost […]
The Waterboys: Still Flying Their Freak Flag High (Interview)
The Waterboys are about to release their new album, Modern Blues, tomorrow. Many fans of the Celtic rockers will remember their sizzling show at Auckland’s Civic Theatre in January of 2013 when Mike Scott and the boys made their first-ever stop in New Zealand. Modern Blues is being hailed as The Waterboys’ best album since […]
Devilish Mary and the Holy Rollers’ 13th Floor Video Session
Devilish Mary and the Holy Rollers are the latest act to emerge from the fertile Lyttelton music scene. The band consist of Anita Clark (vocals & fiddle), Ben Woolley (vocals & double bass) and Simon Gregory (guitar & vocals). They’ve just released their self-titled debut album and are currently touring New Zealand. Anita, Ben and […]
RIP: Kim Fowley
KIm Fowley has passed away at the age of 75. Kim, who has been involved in music as a songwriter, artist , producer, label head and just about anything else, was a true rock & roll original. Kim began producing records in the late 1950s. His first big hit was Alley Oop by The Hollywood […]
Watch Jessica Pratt At The 13th Floor
With write-ups in Pitchfork, Uncut and Stereogum and a recording contract with the ultra-cool Drag City label, Jessica Pratt has quickly become one of the most talked about musicians of the new year. The Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter is due to release her new album, On Your Own Love Again at the end of January. Her […]
Shovels & Rope: Americana Darlings (Interview)
Cary Ann Hearst and Michael Trent are Shovels And Rope, the husband and wife team who, after releasing their third album, Swimmin’ Time, in August of 2014, have decided to make their way down to this part of the world to perform at Auckland’s Tuning Fork on March 11. Although the couple now resides in […]
Courtney Barnett: Ready To Rock (Interview)
Australian musician and songwriter Courtney Barnett looks to be one of the highlights of this month’s Laneway Festival. Already the Melbourne-based rocker has started her own label, Milk! Records, had her song Avant Gardener named best track of 2013 by Pitchfork and been named Best Guitarist this past December during the first annual AU Awards […]
Watch Eyreton Hall’s 13th Floor Video Session
Eyreton Hall consists of vocalist Toni Randle and drummer Andrew Keegan. Although the couple now lives in Auckland (with their two children), Toni is originally from Christchurch and Andrew is from Sydney. The self-described “art-folk” music they write and perform can be heard on their debut album, Featherstitch, released just a month or so ago. […]
RIP: Joe Cocker
Joe Cocker has died at the age of 70. The singer passed away due to lung cancer. Hailing from Sheffield, England, the gravelly-voice vocalist was one of the highlights of 1969’s Woodstock Music Festival thanks to his bluesy version of The Beatles’ With A Little Help From My Friends. His Mad Dogs And Englishmen tour […]
Introducing: Shakey Graves (Interview)
It seems Austin, Texas is teeming with musical talent. The latest to emerge from the self-proclaimed “Live Music Capital Of The World” is a gentleman named Alejandro Rose-Garcia…or as he’s known on record…Shakey Graves. Shakey, or “Al”, as his friends call him, stirred up a little buzz when he released his debut album in 2011. […]
Charles Bradley: The Soul Of A Man (Interview)
Charles Bradley, the veteran soul man who forms part of the Daptone roster along with Sharon Jones and Lee Fields, is scheduled to perform in Auckland this coming March. The 66-year-old New York-based singer has had a bust few years…his latest album, Victim Of Love, was released in 2013, a documentary about him, called Soul […]
Midge Ure Announces NZ Dates
The voice of Ultravox, Midge Ure will perform four New Zealand shows in April 2015 – remarkably his first concerts here since electro-pop legends Ultravox visited our shores for the Sweetwaters festival in 1982. Fans in Auckland, Wellington, Nelson and Christchurch can look forward to intimate solo acoustic performances from Midge Ure (UK), with details […]
Raggamuffin Festival Concert Photos
Despite the soggy weather, this year’s Raggamuffin Festival went off thanks to acts like Cypress Hill, UB40 and Ice Cube. 13th Floor photographer David Watson braved the crowds and the rain and compiled this collection of images. Click here to view David Watson’s Raggamuffin Festival photo gallery.
Jesus Jones: Right Here, Again (Interview)
Jesus Jones will return to Auckland after more than 20 years to perform their chart-topping album, Doubt, in its entirety. The band, led by front man Mike Edwards, is still made up of the same five musicians who recorded the album back in 1991. That record featured the hit single Right Here, Right Now, a […]
RIP Ian McLagan
Another veteran rocker has passed away. Former Faces keyboard player Ian McLagan has died in Austin, Texas after suffering a stroke. The 69-year-old began his musical career with The Small Faces in the mid-1960s and played on hits Itchycoo Park and Tin Soldier and then went on to The Faces with Rod Stewart. Recently, McLagan […]
RIP: Bobby Keys
We are sad to learn of the death of rock & roll sax man Bobby Keys. Keys, who was 70 years old, was best known for his work with The Rolling Stones. He had been their sax player on and off since 1969. But his career extended way beyond Brown Sugar. He played on hundreds […]