R.I.P. David Bowie
I can’t believe this is real. I just heard that David Bowie has passed away at age 69 from cancer. First Lemmy and now this. Words cannot describe in impact David Bowie’s music has had on mine, and millions of others’ lives. I am stunned. All I can say is thank you to The Star […]
David Bowie – Blackstar (Album Review)
He’s back! Three years after setting hearts a-flutter with his first new music in a decade, David Bowie returns with his latest opus, titled Blackstar. While 2013’s The Next Day satisfied fans just by merely existing, Blackstar seems intent on making the listener both uncomfortable and fulfilled, forcing him or her to follow the artist […]
Kurt Vile Concert Ticket Winner!
Congratulations to Robin Kearns who was the first person to correctly note that Kurt Vile ordered Eggs Norwegian and salad while brunching with The 13th Floor’s Marty Duda during their interview in Brooklyn last year. Robin wins a double pass to see Kurt Vile & The Violators at Auckland’s St James Theatre on Tuesday night. […]
Leon Bridges – St James Theatre January 9, 2016
Here we go…the first concert review of 2016! Texas retro-soul man Leon Bridges made his NZ performing debut on this Saturday night at Auckland’s St James Theatre. The 26-year-old has gotten rave reviews for his album, Coming Home, but can he keep a live audience entertained? The answer is “no” and then, “yes”. Bridges […]
New Music From Mavis Staples!
Mavis Staples will release a new album titled, Livin” On A High Note, on Anti- Records on February 19th. The 12-track album features Mavis singing new songs written for her by songwriters including Nick Cave, Neko Case, Ben Harper and M Ward, who produced the record. Here is what Anti- Records has to say about […]
Watch This New Video From Savages
2016 is looking to start out on the right foot with a new album, Adore Life, by Savages due for release later this month. The band has just released a video for the track Adore. Here is the press blurb that comes with it: With ‘Adore Life’, one of the most highly anticipated albums of […]
Countdown To Ecstasy: The 13th Floor Top 10 Concerts of 2015
Reviewing concerts has become our bread and butter here at The 13th Floor. Personally, I went to over 100 shows ranging from tiny local gigs by the likes of The Cavemen and Holly Arrowsmith up to stadium fillers like Fleetwood Mac and The Eagles. For me, a live show is the ultimate way to experience […]
RIP Lemmy
Just days after his 70th birthday, Motorhead frontman and bassist Lemmy has passed away. His impact on rock and roll is immeasurable. We are sad to see him go. Read more about Lemmy’s life and death here. Watch Lemmy’s final performance with Motorhead, recorded just a couple of weeks ago in Berlin, here:[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M123gRMtBBM] Save
Tiny Ruins & Hamish Kilgour – Hurtling Through (Flying Nun)
Not quite the follow-up to Tiny Ruins’ exquisite Brightly Painted One…Hurtling Through is a 7-track EP recorded in New York City with The Clean’s Hamish Kilgour. Hollie Fullbrook provides the voice and the songs, while Kilgour sprinkles everything with percussive fairy dust. These seven tracks were recorded over two sessions in Brooklyn, the first in […]
Dave Rawlings: Beautiful Obsolescence (Interview)
Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings are returning to Auckland in January for what is one of the most anticipated shows of the new year. It’s been over a decade since the duo last performed here and they’ve made a lot of great music since then. Their most recent collaboration is Nashville Obsolete, released under the […]
Watch Parabola West’s 13th Floor Video Session
Here’s one last video session before the end of the year, and one that sounds perfect for the festive season. Check out Parabola West as she performs three original compositions and chats with The 13th Floor’s Marty Duda. Parabola, an ex-pat American, now living in Raglan, has released an EP, titled Did You Hear?, and […]
Watch Parabola West’s 13th Floor Video Session
Here’s one last video session before the end of the year, and one that sounds perfect for the festive season. Check out Parabola West as she performs three original compositions and chats with The 13th Floor’s Marty Duda. Parabola, an ex-pat American, now living in Raglan, has released an EP, titled Did You Hear?, and […]
We Have A Winner!
Congratulations to Richard Hume, who was the first person to correctly name The Guardian as the British publication that included Tami Neilson’s album Dynamite! as one of the top releases of 2014. Richard will receive a pair of tickets to see Tami, along with Delaney Davidson and The Warratahs on Saturday, January 2nd at Mangawhai […]
Sol3 Mio – Villa Maria Winery December 20, 2015
“Three lads from Mangere, you say?” “That’s right.” “Singing opera?” “That’s the one.” “In a vineyard?” “Indeed.” “And you want me to review this for The 13th Floor?” “The very fellow.” We’re nothing if not catholic in our tastes here at The 13th Floor. A brace of tenors and a baritone would, ordinarily, fall outside […]
Grace Potter: I Am Not Who I Was Before (Interview)
It’s been a big year for Grace Potter. She’s stepped outside her long-time band, The Nocturnals, and made her first solo album, Midnight, much to the chagrin of many fans who were put off by the overt pop beats found on songs like the lead single, Alive Tonight. The Vermont native spoke to The 13th […]
Check Out These Photos From The Gunslingers Ball: Last Minute Christmas Show, 19 December 2015
13th Floor ace photographer Michael Flynn caught the Gunslingers Ball: Last Minute Christmas show at Auckland’s Wine Cellar last night. The show featured sets from Will Wood, Reb Fountain, Hopetoun Brown and contributions from Dave Khan, Tom Cunliff and Thomas Landon-Lane. Micheal claims the sold-out show had a great atmosphere and the finale was a […]
Jessica Pratt – The Tuning Fork December 17, 2015
San Francisco-based singer-songwriter Jessica Pratt cast her spell over Auckland’s Tuning Fork, just 11 months after she did the same at the Golden Dawn. In the interim she has released a new album and picked up an additional guitarist.
Out of Pride: The Unapologetic Story of Melting Pot Massacre
by Dedee W Melting Pot Massacre were an Auckland-based Asian feminist punk band, active from 2011-2013. Their documentary ‘Out of Pride’ was made after they disbanded, and tells their story on their own terms. Having not yet seen it, I imagine it will provide more insight into the message behind their music and where they […]
Save Our St James: Here’s The Story!
Here’s Dedee with a report on what went down at the recent Save Our St James event: On Friday December 11th 2015, eight months after the St James had reopened its doors, a few hundred of us gathered to watch a stellar line up on a small stage in the foyer. It was called ‘Save […]
AC/DC – Western Springs Stadium December 15, 2015
The last time I saw AC/DC it was 1978. They were playing in upstate New York, opening for Blue Oyster Cult, on their journey to the long way to the top. 37 years later, and a lot has changed both within and outside the band, but one thing remains constant, Angus Young’s connection to […]