Rock Lottery hits Whammy Bar on 19 June

The first-ever Aotearoa Rock Lottery takes place on Saturday 19 June, featuring some of New Zealand’s finest musicians.

The event sees 25 artists, including Jono Pearce (The Beths), Fiona Campbell (Guardian Singles, Vivian Girls), Daniel Ward (Cate Le Bon, Droor, Lawrence Arabia) and Steph Brown (Lips), meet on the morning of 19 June to form five-person bands by lottery. The new groups then spend the day writing and rehearsing original material – and one cover – and reconvene that evening to perform their debut sets in front of a live audience.

Based on an event of the same name that happens in Tucson, AZ, Rock Lottery arrives in NZ thanks to the efforts of Fen Ikner (Lips).

Having spent a good chunk of his formative musical years in Tucson, Fen says, “I did the Rock Lottery a few times when I lived in Tucson, AZ. It was always a blast and a great way for musicians to meet and collaborate, who might not have otherwise had the chance. I ended up producing a record for someone I met at a Rock Lottery, and a band that was formed at the same event has gone on to be a pretty successful internationally touring group. The more I got to know some of the musicians in the Auckland music scene, the more I began to think that this would be a great city for the event. So, here goes nothing!”

Here’s how it works:

• Gather 25 musicians of varying provenances in the morning, have them form five 5-person bands by lottery (with one drummer for each band, acting as “team captain”)
• Send the newly minted bands off to write and rehearse material for a 15-20 minute set. They must do three or four originals + one cover
• Reconvene that night at Whammy Bar, for live performances by the all-new acts

There may be the occasional trainwreck, but getting there is lots of fun – and a great way to set up collaborations between artists that may otherwise not get a chance to meet and work together.

Sometimes, one of these new outfits turns into a real band. Don’t miss the opportunity to see NZ’s next supergroup in its first iteration!

The event is produced with support from APRA. All profits go to MusicHelps.

CONFIRMED PARTICIPANTS (more TBA)

Jonathan Pearce (The Beths, many other things)
JY Lee (Yoko Zuna, various)
Jasmine Balmer (Being)
Fiona Campbell (Guardian Singles, Vivian Girls)
Simeon Kavanagh-Vincent (Phoebe Rings, Lucky Boy)
Sam Denne (Babyteeth)
Ben Locke (Phoebe Rings, The Naenae Express)
Swap Gomez (Yoko Zuna, various)
Sean Martin-Buss (various)
Abby Knudson (Singer-songwriter/composer)
Daniel Ward (Cate LeBon, Droor, Lawrence Arabia)
Christian Tjandrawinata (Producer/multi-instrumentalist @ Parachute)
Will Saunders (Singer/songwriter, The Quick and the Dead)
Kathleen Tomacruz (Eponymous quintet, various jazz)
Gareth Thomas (Goodshirt)
Chelsea Prastiti (Skilaa)
Maia Huia (Aunty’s Garage)
Leea Lamatoa
Brayden Jeffery
Callum Lincoln (Ripship)
Steph Brown (Lips)

GIG INFO

Saturday 19 June, 8pm (doors at 7pm)
Whammy Bar, Auckland

GET TICKETS

About MusicHelps
MusicHelps uses the power of music to help and heal New Zealanders in need. They support a wide range of programmes throughout New Zealand that use music to help people struggling with health issues, disability and social exclusion. MusicHelps also provides vital emergency assistance to Kiwi music artists and workers experiencing ill-health, hardship and distress. Find out more here.