Biffy Clyro – Spark Arena April 24, 2018
Scottish trio Biffy Clyro mixed the sensitive with the seismic as they thrilled fans at Auckland’s Spark Arena last night.
concert review
The Unique and Odd Brilliance of John Cooper Clarke
Last night, the pews of St Peter’s Church of central Wellington were occupied with what I imagine is not the usual attending crowd. A mix of aging hipsters, ex-punks and the occasional younger attendees filed in and filled the ornate church. The entrance into the church was filled with a distinct herbal odour most likely […]
Are We Killers Or Are We Brandon?
The Killers – Spark Arena April 20, 2018 The Killers, or at least two of them, rocked Auckland’s Spark Arena on Friday night, reminding the nearly-sold out crowd what a killer live act they are. As frontman Brandon Flowers observed, it had been nine years since he and the band had last performed in Auckland. A […]
A Peculiar Pop Punk Party Atmosphere With Simple Plan
If you were looking for meaningful music at Simple Plan’s 15th anniversary tour of No Pads No Helmets Just Balls at The Powerstation in Auckland last night, you would’ve been shit out of luck. But that would’ve been completely missing the point of an otherwise fun, high octane evening.
Halsey – Spark Arena April 19, 2018
Halsey brings “The sound of young America” to Auckland as her Hopeless Fountain Kingdom World Tour resumes after a five-month layoff.
Eb & Sparrow and Carnivorous Plant Society – Tuning Fork April 13, 2018
Eb & Sparrow and Carnivorous Plant Society – two of New Zealand’s finest live acts converged at Auckland’s Tuning Fork last night keeping fans warm and dry even as the weather raged outside.
A Nostalgic Sexy Time With Lionel Ritchie and Nile Rodgers
Two consummate ringmasters – Lionel Richie and Nile Rodgers. An audience you’d expect, and one you didn’t. Hits from the last five decades that you know by osmosis and hold close to your heart; and a sometimes self-congratulatory trawl through them. Troupes of sensational musicians; and clowns distracting the reason everyone’s there. Creepy, nostalgic sexy time; […]
Sheryl Crow and Melissa Etheridge Made Us Love Rock All Over Again
It was a wild night out west in Auckland as Sheryl Crow and Melissa Etheridge set out to make rock great again at the Trusts Stadium. The two make for a cracking pop-rock double act and continue their Australasia tour here for three dates. They met on the Michael Jackson 1987 BAD tour and the two […]
Homegrown – Wellington Waterfront April 7, 2018
With 45 acts, five stages and a stunning harbour vistas the Capital’s best day out for music fans promised a great party to close off an exceptional summer. Now in its 11th year this sold out festival has rightly earned its iconic status, alongside Laneway, Rhythm & Vines, the former Big Day Out and Splore, among others. It’s also the best way to see the greatest number of Kiwi bands all in one place. So, did it live up to the reputation? Tim Gruar packed a rain jacket, his notepad and his camera to head along and find out.
The Extraordinary Union of Leisure and the APO
It is not every day you get to see a pop group play with a full orchestra inside a great hall. But that was exactly what an audience of around twelve hundred or so got to witness at the Auckland Town Hall on April 6th 2018, as supergroup Leisure became the latest to partner with […]