NZ | Music + Concerts + Festivals + Exhibitions [Archive]

Milan Luka

November 19th, 2009, 11:51 AM

All right city_thang, try these on....

Phoenix Foundation "Hitchcock"
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Brunetters "B.A.B.Y."
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And coz its NZ, gotta post some hiphop. This song was no 1 the week my missus and I split up.
Misfits of Science "Fools Love"
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Indictable

November 19th, 2009, 12:06 PM

Pretty much, I'd shag anyone.

Whore.

city_thing

November 19th, 2009, 12:37 PM

^^ LOLcano.

If only.

KiwiGuy

November 21st, 2009, 12:43 AM

Fat Freddys Drop- Wandering Eye. One of my favourites
[ youtube[<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/eCJg63SziL4&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/eCJg63SziL4&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>[/youtube]

KiwiGuy

November 21st, 2009, 12:45 AM

Bugger, it didn't come out. Do I have enough posts or do I have to make more in order to embed videos?

Can't post pictures either. My computer hates me.:(

city_thing

November 21st, 2009, 07:37 AM

How are you doing it? With YouTube, do it like this...

[.youtube]code[./youtube]

Remove the full stops though, and the code is the jumble of letters and numbers that's after the equals sign at the end of the URL (above where the embedding code is shown).

And for images, you just get the image properties, copy it and paste it between [.img] and [./img] - remove the full stops again though.

If that doesn't make sense, then just press quote on one of my posts with a YouTube clip in it and look there at how I've done it. Hope that helps.

Anyway, here's the clip you were trying to post. Seems like most new Kiwi music is hip-hop...

eCJg63SziL4

KiwiGuy

November 21st, 2009, 11:22 AM

Thanks for the help. I'll do a bit of tweaking to see if it works.

piles

November 30th, 2009, 10:43 AM

A lot of concerts have been confirmed in the last few weeks that feature something for everyone including....

Tom Jones
Backstreet Boys
Wilco
Lady Gaga
Lauryn Hill (Raggamuffin Festival)
Lyle Lovett
Paramore
Groove Armada
Dirty Projectors

Milan Luka

December 1st, 2009, 06:08 AM

^^ I could go to Lyle Lovett.

I missed Pearl Jam, they played here the other night, how did I not know about this? Even a fair few friends went and never told me????

Milan Luka

December 5th, 2009, 12:32 PM

Opshop- One Day. I love/hate this song, it makes me cry. Bad breakup memories....
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Savage Swing- orig video. He lost it when he made it in the States.
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Rhian Sheehan- An Afternoon on the Moon. My son likes this vid.
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city_thing

December 6th, 2009, 08:48 AM

eCJg63SziL4

This guy did a secret gig here on Friday at shipping container bar called Section 8. Apparently it was packed out with Kiwis, the Aussies mustn't have known what was going on.

It wus mintal broo!

Nick.Yeah

December 15th, 2009, 01:07 PM

I love this song, makes me proud to call NZ home.

7wKhrEFzLfM

Davee

December 15th, 2009, 03:24 PM

^^^^Love the song and video. :)

piles

January 30th, 2010, 12:59 AM

Whitney Houston is playing a one off NZ show in New Plymouth. Someone there is doing there job right, that town is getting so many international shows now.

Destroyed007

January 31st, 2010, 03:36 AM

How Bizarre's Pauly Fuemana dies

Auckland musician Pauly Fuemana, who found fame with the hit song How Bizarre, has died.

The 40-year-old died at North Shore Hospital just after 7.00am on Sunday, after a short illness.

A long-time friend Herman Loto Sakarria says Fuemana's family and friends were at his bedside.

"It (his death) will be a huge shock to the music industry," he says.

One of New Zealand's most successful songs, How Bizarre was released by the Otara Millionaire's Club in 1995.

The song was named Single of the Year at the 1996 New Zealand Music Awards.

It stormed to the top of the charts around the world, spending three weeks at number one in New Zealand, three weeks in Ireland, and five weeks in Australia.

Source: http://tvnz.co.nz/entertainment-news/bizarre-s-pauly-fuemana-dies-3346027

Milan Luka

January 31st, 2010, 06:57 AM

piles

January 31st, 2010, 07:27 AM

I remember when the song first came out, I had a cousin over from Australia and another from England. This song got played whenever we went out anywhere. When they left I remember them saying "Thank god we'll never have to hear this song again". The poor fools....

RIP Pauly

On a side note, it seems strange no one in the media has commented on what this "short illness" was.

Milan Luka

January 31st, 2010, 07:48 AM

Yeah, re this illness. I think I prefer not to know.

Remember seeing a recent interview of his and he did not seem very well at all.

I always thought it strange that the amount of money he made from this song - an EIGHT figure sum- disappeared just as quickly as it came. He said for instance when he was touring the US his record company were charging him $50k a day for all expenses. Seems odd but then I have no idea how that business works.

I hope there's some set aside for his children.

Samoans have had such a big influence on NZ culture. Long Live Savageand King Kapisi! Dei Hamo and Scribe- not so much. :)

Destroyed007

January 31st, 2010, 09:22 AM

The song brings us all the old days of homegrown nature. But I also didn't realise that this was our localy-performed song. Really can't believe NZ was given a bad start of the new year. :ohno::(

Milan Luka

April 26th, 2010, 12:48 PM

Artisan Guns, 'Into the Cold'

Is this Christchurchs Bottle Lake forest? Someone must know????

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Phoenix Foundation, 'Bright Grey'

Just reminds me of road trips. I love road trips. And such a damn cool song. Also If I was a homesick Kiwi I would feel even more homesick after watching this.

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Pluto 'Dance Stamina'

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Milan Luka

May 14th, 2010, 10:43 AM

All pretty new Auckland Bands with retro 80s sounds which have been getting lots of exposure. All pretty cool too imo.

Kids of 88 'Just a Little Bit'

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Naked and Famous 'All of This'

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Computers Want Me Dead 'We Walk in Circles'

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Milan Luka

May 22nd, 2010, 02:35 AM

Yes I heard it on the radio in the car today.
I liked it, but did sound quite MGMT-ish.

^^ Naked and Famous- MGMT- you hit it on the head BB, still like it but. Look some shots of LA in there. Makes me happy.

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Phoenix Foundation 'Bright Grey'

These guys are so nerdy and dont care that they are actually incredibly cool. This video works too, all the 80s iconography, the kids (?) hanging round. Lukasz Buda's beard.

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Connan Mockasin 'Its Choade my Dear'

Genius. Drugs. Sometimes work. These guys are SO out there, SO intelligent that 90% of their stuff is unlistenable. When they pull it off it really works. This is why you should do your own thing and not give a shit what people think. Did I mention they are space cadets?

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Indictable

May 23rd, 2010, 12:09 PM

^^ Naked and Famous- MGMT- you hit it on the head BB, still like it but. Look some shots of LA in there. Makes me happy.

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T'was on MTV Push today. Jay was all like "ticks the two boxes that a song needs to - great song, amazing video"

shit i liked it ay

city_thing

May 23rd, 2010, 12:36 PM

piles

May 23rd, 2010, 01:22 PM

^^ MTV NZ is basically reality show after reality show and if you're lucky a video or 2 between them.

Indictable

May 23rd, 2010, 01:36 PM

^^ Is MTV New Zealand any different from MTV Australia?

I remember there was some show on where Aussies competed against Kiwis in some dumb competition... and you can watch the Kiwi news on Sky here too.

Nopeee. a good chunck of the songs are Kiwi, which is better than bloody beeber. The presenters are different. I remember Ruby and Erin. We get Jay and some random chick.

I think there are more reality shows on MTV NZ than AU though

city_thing

May 23rd, 2010, 01:56 PM

I think it was actually Channel V I was thinking of (in regards to that Oz vs. NZ game show thing...) - I guess V is exactly the same in both countries?

MTV is generally shite in every country.

Is that Australian Idol douche nozzle "winner" Stan Walker big over there? He's such an ugly twat. Apparently he cracked onto my ex-boyfriend when he was filming this clip in the laneway where my ex runs a bar. I wish someone would put a bullet in his head :ohno:

cEZ7j4PF11E

Indictable

May 23rd, 2010, 02:26 PM

Can I ask what 'cracked on' means?

He's pretty big here. So happy I found out he we born in Melbin. Makes me relieved. Now we need to somehow make russel crowe get bornded over there... and we'll be good.

And Jess wilsons parents..

city_thing

May 23rd, 2010, 02:34 PM

He tried to flirt with my ex, so he's obviously a closet case. "Cracked on" just means "slutted onto" etc.

I think my ex was more disturbed than aroused. I can't say I blame him.

Indictable

May 23rd, 2010, 02:39 PM

Didn't know he way gay! Never known of a gay Maori.. maybe he think everyone loves him so much they'll accept him.It'll be like Justine Beaver saying he's gay - i rekon there will be full riots with little West Sydney teen chicks

Cartel

October 4th, 2010, 02:20 AM

^^ Pop gives music a bad name.

Milan Luka

October 18th, 2010, 01:05 AM

Davee

October 20th, 2010, 11:18 AM

Damn it. Bought tickets to see u2 in Akl, decided to pull the plug.

1) Earthquake.
2) They really are crap
3) I dont know why I even bothered to buy them in the 1st place.

Off to trade me they go, unless anyone wants some u2 tkts for cost price. Just PM me.

They're all old men now :lol::lol::lol:

I'm sure someone will relieve you of your tickets!

Mr_kiwi_fruit

November 23rd, 2010, 10:11 PM

U2 has landed
5:30 AM Wednesday Nov 24, 2010

http://www.boncherry.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/u2_360.jpg

U2 has landed - and wasted no time in tweeting about the New Zealand experience. Guitarist The Edge has posted a photo of One Tree Hill on his Twitter account two days before the Irish rockers play the first of two shows at Mt Smart Stadium. The band has a connection to the Auckland landmark - One Tree Hill is the title of their 1987 single written after the death of Bono's New Zealand-born assistant Greg Carroll. Concert promoters and record label representatives are keeping the band's movements a closely guarded secret. However it is understood the rockers arrived on Monday morning on an Air New Zealand flight.

The last time U2 was here, in 2006, members stayed at the $25,000-a-night Great Mercury Island estate, owned by Sir Michael Fay, and were choppered to Auckland for concerts. The private island, off the coast of the Coromandel, give guests access to two homes, 12 beaches and a private chef. Other favoured Auckland accommodation for the rich and famous include Wells Bay lodge on Waiheke Island - with the required helicopter pad and $750-a-night suite at the Hyatt Hotel for each of the four musicians. Supporting act Jay-Z has also arrived in the country but it is not known if his wife, singer Beyonce Knowles, is with him.

The rapper's entourage was spotted renting a fleet of luxury Audi vehicles, celebrity watch websites said. Last night, crews were putting the final touches to the 590 tonne stage set complete with the "claw", a 50m three-legged structure. The band's 360 Degrees Tour, one of rock's highest grossing productions, involves 250 personnel as well as local crews at each venue. More than 50,000 tickets sold in less than an hour for the Thursday night show but there are some still available for Friday. See tomorrow's TimeOut for a U2 special featuring the band's only New Zealand interview, memories of past tours and essential concert information including a transport guide.

Mr_kiwi_fruit

November 25th, 2010, 12:14 AM

Beyonce touches down in Auckland
9:56 AM Thursday Nov 25, 2010

http://www.beyonce-knowles.com/wallpapers/beyonce-knowles-2-1024.jpg

New Zealand's a-list quota is reaching extreme levels, with the arrival of R&B/pop superstar Beyonce. The singer, who was this year voted 52 in a list of the 100 greatest artists of all time, will join her husband - hip hop superstar Jay-Z - who is in New Zealand for two sell-out concerts at Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium. Whether Beyonce (Knowles) would come to New Zealand to accompany her husband has been a hot topic with fans online. While officials have given no comment, fan Sam Bellingham managed to take a photo with the star this morning at Auckland Airport.

Mr_kiwi_fruit

November 25th, 2010, 12:27 AM

Big Day Out 2011 (http://www.bigdayout.com/) Line Up Announced

http://www.wallpaperbase.com/wallpapers/music/rammstein/rammstein_5.jpg

TOOL
RAMMSTEIN
M.I.A
IGGY AND THE STOOGES
LCD SOUNDSYSTEM
SHIHAD
LUPE FIASCO
GRINDERMAN
DEFTONES
THE BLACK KEYS
THE NAKED AND FAMOUS
ANDREW WK
WOLFMOTHER
THE JIM JONES REVUE
EDWARD SHARPE & THE MAGNETIC ZEROES
PRIMAL SCREAM
BLOODY BEETROOTS DEATH CREW 77
BOOKA SHADE DJs
SIX60
DIE ANTWOORD
VITALIC
KIDS OF 88
CSS
PLAN B
RATATAT
I AM GIANT
JOHN BUTLER TRIO
AIRBOURNE
DIE! DIE! DIE!
BULLETPROOF
BIRDS OF TOKYO
STREET CHANT
CRYSTAL CASTLES

FRIDAY JANUARY 21st AUCKLAND MT SMART STADIUM

Mr_kiwi_fruit

November 25th, 2010, 12:46 AM

Vector Arena (http://www.vectorarena.co.nz/) announces upcoming attractions

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1328/5167396939_300781dd5c_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/eyeonauckland/5167396939/)

10 OCT 10 18°C (http://www.flickr.com/photos/eyeonauckland/5167396939/) by Urban+Explorer (http://www.flickr.com/people/eyeonauckland/), on Flickr

02 Dec 2010 - JACK JOHNSON
05 Dec 2010 - BON JOVI
10 Dec 2010 - End of School with STAN WALKER
16 Dec 2010 - BLONDIE & THE PRETENDERS
21 Dec 2010 - GORILLAZ
21 Jan 2011 - KENNY ROGERS
27 Jan 2011 - JOE COCKER
05 Feb 2011 - EL CABALLO BLANCO
26 Feb 2011 - NEIL DIAMOND
02 Mar 2011 - THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS
29 Mar 2011 - USHER
03 May 2011 - DISTURBED
06 May 2011 - ANDRE RIEU
07 May 2011 - KATY PERRY

Mr_kiwi_fruit

November 25th, 2010, 02:47 AM

RON MUECK (http://christchurchartgallery.org.nz/) exhibition, Christchurch Art Gallery

http://staskulesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/nz_christchurch_ron_mueck_IMG_2758-800x533.jpg

The Gallery is proud to present a major exhibition of work by internationally renowned sculptor Ron Mueck. Ranging from the startlingly huge Wild man to the miniscule Two women, this comprehensive exhibition of work by the Australian-born, London-based artist is the largest to have been presented in the southern hemisphere – and an opportunity not to be missed. The show includes four striking new works alongside many of the artist's iconic sculptures, including the monumental and moving Pregnant woman, and Christchurch is the only place you can see it.

Mr_kiwi_fruit

November 25th, 2010, 02:53 AM

EUROPEAN MASTERS OF THE 19th-20th CENTURY (http://www.tepapa.govt.nz/WhatsOn/exhibitions/Stadel/Exhibition/Pages/Artworks.aspx), Te Papa Museum in Wellington

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bFjHcAW1G1M/S8DqvDglGVI/AAAAAAAABK8/XuMgMyGXrDw/s1600/renoir_luncheon_of_the_boating_party.jpg

Spanning the dynamic and transformative years of the 19th and 20th centuries, this exhibition features 96 works by 70 of the greatest German, French, Spanish, Belgian, Dutch and Swiss masters of the period. Included are iconic Neoclassical, Realist, Impressionist, and Symbolist works, as well as breathtaking German Expressionist paintings and sculpture. View pieces by great German masters including Tischbein, Friedrich, and Beckmann, along with beautiful Impressionist works by Monet, Renoir, and Degas, and important paintings by Picasso, Marc, and Bonnard. Also on display are works by Cézanne, Van Gogh, and Munch.

Mr_kiwi_fruit

November 25th, 2010, 03:08 AM

CREEDEENCE CLEARWATER REVISITED & DR HOOK (http://www.gibbstonvalleynz.com/index.php) to perform at Gibbston Valley Winery, Queenstown

http://www.gibbstonvalleynz.com/pics/river_trail.jpg

Alpine Entertainment and Gibbston Valley Winery proudly announce the inaugural ‘Gibbston Valley Winery Summer Concert’. Legendry bands Creedence Clearwater Revisited and Dr Hook will perform all their greatest hits with a back drop of the stunning Kawarau River and the internationally recognized vineyards of Central Otago. This concert will become an annual event at the award-winning Gibbston Valley Winery. Both bands have featured on the cover of the Rolling Stone magazine

Creedence Clearwater Revisited will be performing their greatest songs, including Proud Mary, Bad Moon Rising, Midnight Special, Suzie Q, Down on the Corner, Born On the Bayou, Have You Ever Seen the Rain and many more.

Dr Hook will be performing his all time hits, including Cover Of The ‘Rolling Stone’, Sexy Eyes, Sylvia’s Mother, When You’re In love With A Beautiful Women, Only Sixteen, Walk Right In and many more

Mr_kiwi_fruit

November 25th, 2010, 03:18 AM

NITRO CIRCUS (http://www.nitrocircus.com/) coming to New zealand

Nitro Circus Live phenomenon to tour New Zealand for first ever time. The all new touring sensation Nitro Circus Live, which performed to record breaking crowds throughout Australian capital cities in its worldwide debut this year, will tour New Zealand for the first time in February 2011. Heading the tour will be 17 times X games medalist and new world no. 1 FMX rider, Travis Pastrana on his first trip to New Zealand

Joining Travis Pastrana (USA) will be the entire Nitro Circus crew from the hit MTV show including Jolene Van Vugt, Erik Roner, Jim De Champ, Special Gregg and Streetbike Tommy. The show will showcase some of the greatest FMX riders on the planet including FMX 2009 gold medalist Blake ‘Bilko’ Williams (AUS) and the only rider performing FMX double back flips and current X games gold medalist, Cam Sinclair and many more. Some of the best BMX riders in the world will also feature including X games medalist Andy Buckworth performing the death defying double front flip.

For the first ever time, NZ fans will see the Nitro Crew launch themselves off the death defying 50 foot high Nitro Gigant-A-Ramp on a host of crazy contraptions including – kids trikes, snow skis, razor scooters and boogey boards to name a few.

DML2

November 25th, 2010, 05:40 AM

http://staskulesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/nz_christchurch_ron_mueck_IMG_2758-800x533.jpg

Ew.

Mr_kiwi_fruit

December 1st, 2010, 06:28 AM

STING (http://www.missionconcert.co.nz/) to perform at The Mission Estate in Napier

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2778/4278771050_28d06d4300_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/peter_a_hopwood/4278771050/)

The view from Mission Estate (http://www.flickr.com/photos/peter_a_hopwood/4278771050/) by peter_a_hopwood (http://www.flickr.com/people/peter_a_hopwood/), on Flickr

THE MISSION ESTATE CONCERT is very proud to announce STING - accompanied by a 50 piece symphony orchestra and band - will extend his critically-acclaimed Symphonicity tour to take in New Zealand's biggest annual concert on Saturday, February 12, 2011.

Mr_kiwi_fruit

December 1st, 2010, 09:28 PM

Legendary guitarist SANTANA (http://www.vectorarena.co.nz/) to play in New Zealand

http://www.yowazzup.com/blog/images/santana.jpg

Legendary guitarist Carlos Santana is to play two shows in New Zealand in March. Santana has sold more than 90 million records and reached more than 100 million fans at concerts worldwide during the past 40 years. The Guitar Heaven tour begins on March 13 at Sandalford Estate Swan Valley in Perth, followed two other Australian shows before heading to New Zealand for shows at Vector Arena in Auckland on March 20 and Christchurch's CBS Canterbury Arena on March 22.

piles

December 1st, 2010, 11:58 PM

The timetable has been released for the 'No Sleep Til Auckland' festival.

Megadeth have been confirmed to close the show, which takes place on December 10th from the ASB Showgrounds.

Below is the full timetable

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l91/The_WCC/NoSleepTil.jpg

piles

December 7th, 2010, 06:28 AM

http://libel.co.nz/blog_posts/-grassroots_festival_confirmed_for_easter_
Grassroots Festival Confirmed For Easter!
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l91/The_WCC/BBKingnewbenchhighres-2.jpg

Chugg Entertainment today announces that, in alignment with the wealth of talent visiting Australia for the Easter blues season, New Zealand's Puhinui Peninsula will also become a melodious playground as the first ever GrassRoots event kicks off for two days on Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th April, 2011 at the stunning Puhinui Reserve.

The two-day festival will bring together some of the world's most renowned artists as well as a raft of local acts across a multitude of genres whilst still having its core ethos firmly grounded in blues and roots based music. Over thirty artists on two stages over the two days will launch GrassRoots - The New Zealand Blues and Roots All Music Festival 2011.

GrassRoots proudly brings to you a string of international artists who will be making their one-off exclusive performance in New Zealand over these two very special days. First artists to be announced include BB King (USA), Elvis Costello & The Imposters (USA), Ben Harper and Relentless 7 (USA), Rodrigo Y Gabriela (Mexico), Eric Bibb (USA), Paul Ubana Jones (NZ), Ruthie Foster (USA), Cairo Knife Fight (NZ), Ticket (NZ), Don McGlashan (NZ), Sola Rosa (NZ) with many more local and international artists to be announced before the end of January.

Not only will festival patrons be afforded the opportunity to experience some of the world's most dynamic and diverse performers, but there will also be camping and parking available for the full weekend and when respite is required one can enjoy a wide range of culinary delights from the plethora of food and beverage stalls, the NZ food and wines hall as well as a selection of fully licensed bars on site. The festival will also host a wide variety of arts & crafts in the market village.

For those who like the finer things in life there will be VIP ticket packages available for purchase which not only include exclusive parking and camping, but also full access to the VIP facilities which offer a full panoramic view of the main-stage as well as upmarket amenities and a fully licensed bar and dining area.

Set across 200 hectares of lush rural landscape, Puhinui Reserve occupies the southern portion of the Puhinui Peninsula, forming a major component of the Gateway Heritage area of Manukau with its considerable historic, conservation and cultural amenity value. The reserve forms part of the extensive Matukuturua volcanic field and is linked with pre-European settlements centred around Wiri Mountain and Matukuturua (McLaughlins Mountain). Whilst in idyllic surroundings offering pleasures of both rural countryside and views of Manukau Harbour, the site is also boundaried by the Auckland International Airport and SW motorway, offering Aucklanders, all visitors and those travelling in from the South an easily accessible venue site.

GrassRoots upholds a firm belief in sustainability and commitment to the beautiful environment in which it will take place and therefore will undertake a comprehensive waste management and recycling plan as well as various green initiatives to ensure a long and fruitful tenure in Puhinui Reserve.

GrassRoots is bringing the music to New Zealand for Easter. Do not miss your chance to say that you were there first.

Ticket options include Single day, 2-Day, VIP & camping with limited Early Buy offer.
For more info go to www.grassrootsfestival.co.nz

TICKETS ON SALE TUESDAY 14 DECEMBER, 9AM

GRASSROOTS : PUHINUI RESERVE
Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th April

Tickets available from:
www.grassrootsfestival.co.nz and www.ticketek.co.nz or phone 09 377 8899

Rooty

December 8th, 2010, 06:21 AM

Damn it. Bought tickets to see u2 in Akl, decided to pull the plug.

1) Earthquake.
2) They really are crap
3) I dont know why I even bothered to buy them in the 1st place.

Off to trade me they go, unless anyone wants some u2 tkts for cost price. Just PM me.
U2 is surely one of my top-5 most listened to artists. I wouldn't go five days without listening to U2.

(No, I didn't go.)

Mr_kiwi_fruit

December 18th, 2010, 12:11 AM

ELTON JOHN (http://www.ourstadium.co.nz/) to perform in Dunedin

http://musicoadictos.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/elton-john2627.jpg

Singer-songwriter Sir Elton John is the first major act booked for Dunedin's controversial new roofed stadium. The $200 million stadium is expected to open in August and will host Rugby World Cup games before the concert at the end of the year. It will be Elton John's first South Island visit for two decades. Promoter Phil Sprey said fans would be delighted to hear Sir Elton was coming back to the South Island for the first time in 20 years. Dunedin Venues chief executive David Davies was thrilled with the announcement. "This is a fantastic coup for the city."

Mr_kiwi_fruit

December 18th, 2010, 12:19 AM

Top 10 FESTIVALS this summer

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4011/4355044224_38c4495609_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/laubarnes/4355044224/)

Crowd for Mumford and Sons @ Laneway Festival 30/01/10 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/laubarnes/4355044224/) by laubarnes (http://www.flickr.com/people/laubarnes/), on Flickr

LIVE AT THE ISLANDS

Where & when: Urupukapuka Island, Bay of Islands, Dec 28, Nathan Haines, Kirsten Morrell; Dec 31, New Year's Eve Pirate Party with the Dirty Dozen; Jan 3, Jordan Luck Band, Autozamm; Jan 5, Anika Moa, Don McGlashan; Jan 7, Salmonella DJ Soundsystem, Minuit; Jan 22, Topp Twins.

Where & when: Motutapu Island, Auckland, Feb 12, with Anika Moa, Nathan Haines, Kirsten Morrell, the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra, the Earlybirds, Salmonella DJ Soundsystem, Lisa Crawley, and more to be announced.

What: Concerts for conservation
Tickets: From ticketmaster.co.nz
More info: arkpresents.co.nz or doc.govt.nz

RHYTHM AND VINES

When: Dec 29-Dec 31
Where: Waiohika Estate, Gisborne
What: Get away, have a ball, and party

Line-up: N.E.R.D., Shihad, Flying Lotus, Chromeo, Carl Cox, Hudson Mohawke, the Naked and Famous, Dragon, Tinie Tempah, Gaslamp Killer, Bulletproof, Hollie Smith, P-Money, Barb, and more.

Tickets: $235 from rhythmandvines.co.nz
More info: rhythmandvines.co.nz

LA DE DA

When: Dec 31
Where: Alana Wine Estate, Martinborough.
What: It's sold out so watch out for Wellingtonians on the loose

Line up: Kora, Katchafire, Hollie Smith, Salmonella Dub, Minuit, Six 60, the Upbeats, 1814, Mt Eden Dubstep, Thomas Oliver Band. Plus, on Dec 30 at Lullaby Lane, next door to the festival grounds see the Naked & Famous, Kids of 88, Kidz in Space, Computers Want Me Dead, Zowie and the Heavy Metal Ninjas.

Tickets: Sold out, VIP tickets still available from ladeda.co.nz
More info: ladeda.co.nz

BIG DAY OUT

When: Jan 21
Where: Mt Smart Stadium
What: Still the big daddy of local festivals

Line-up: Tool, Rammstein, Iggy and the Stooges, MIA, Grinderman, the Black Keys, Jim Jones Revue, Crystal Castles, CSS, the Naked and Famous, Deftones, Primal Scream, LCD Soundsystem, Plan B, Andrew WK, Kids of 88, the Green Hornes, Die!Die!Die!, Shihad, Street Chant, the Phoenix Foundation, Bulletproof, and more.

Tickets: $150 (plus booking fee) at bigdayout.com
More info: bigdayout.com

LANEWAY FESTIVAL

When: January 31
Where: Aotea Square, Auckland
What: Indie cool kids of Aotearoa unite. This is your national day.

Line-up: Deerhunter, Warpaint, Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti, !!!, An Emerald City, Beach House, Blonde Redhead, Children's Hour, Foals, Holy F***, Ladyhawke, Lawrence Arabia, Yeasayer

Tickets: $105 at lanewayfestival.com.au
More info: lanewayfestival.com.au

RAGGAMUFFIN

When: Feb 5
Where: Rotorua International Stadium
What: Roots, reggae, and a little bit of R&B, hip-hop, and soul

Line-up: Mary J. Blige, Jimmy Cliff, Maxi Priest, Sean Paul, the Original Wailers, Ky-Mani Marley, Che Fu and the Kratez, Nesian Mystik, 1814, and Sons of Zion

Tickets: $111.51 (plus other options) at Ticketmaster
More info: raggamuffin.co.nz

SPLORE-CITY

When: Feb 11-12
Where: Aotea Square, Auckland
What: The seaside festival goes urban

Line-up: Kelis, Fly My Pretties, Caribou, Fourtet, Mayer Hawthorne, Coast, Empress Star, Belleruche, the Cuban Brothers, and more

Tickets: $95-$170 at the-edge.co.nz
More info: splore.net

HOMEGROWN

When: March 5
Where: Wellington waterfront
What: The biggest and best local line-up of the year

Line-up: Blindspott, Shapeshifter, I Am Giant, TrinityRoots, the feelers, Tiki & the Dub Soldiers, Midnight Youth, Six60, Elemeno P, Katchafire, Black River Drive, Salmonella Dub, Cairo Knife Fight, Sunshine Soundsystem, the Checks, the Upbeats, Kids of 88, State of Mind Live, Ivy Lies, Optimus Gryme, Motocade, Dick Johnson, Supermodel, Tim Phin, Dane Rumble, Maya and Vanya, J Williams, Savage Vs. Scribe, Brazilbeat Sound System, Nesian Mystik, Jayson Norris, PNC, the Phoenix Foundation, Kidz in Space, the Clean, Coco Solid, Die! Die! Die!, Tommy ILL, the Ruby Suns, DJ Logikal, Artisan Guns, Lotion, Family Cactus

Tickets: $95 at Ticketek
More info: homegrown.net.nz

WOMAD

When: 18-20 March
Where: Bowl of Brooklands, New Plymouth
What: The world comes to us. Fire pois optional

Line-up: Amadou and Mariam, Afro Celt Soundsystem, Don Letts, Luka Bloom, Nitin Sawhney, TrinityRoots, Sola Rosa, The Creole Choir of Cuba, Juan De Marcos Afro Cuban All-Stars, Calypso Rose, Horace Andy, and many more

Tickets: $65-$229 at ticketek.co.nz
More info: womad.co.nz

GRASSROOTS FESTIVAL

When: April 23-24
Where: Puhinui Reserve, Manukau
What: Singing the blues and praying for a long hot Indian summer

Line-up: B.B. King, Elvis Costello & the Imposters, Ben Harper and Relentless7, Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Eric Bibb, Paul Ubana Jones , Ruthie Foster, Cairo Knife Fight, Ticket, Don McGlashan, Sola Rosa and more to be announced.

Tickets: $117.50-$299 at grassrootsfestival.co.nz
More info: grassrootsfestival.co.nz

Mr_kiwi_fruit

December 21st, 2010, 08:15 PM

Concert Review: GORILLAZ, Vector Arena

http://media.nzherald.co.nz/webcontent/image/jpg/SCCZEN_211210NZNSGORILAZ3_460x23028275.JPG

Getting the cartoon band - masterminded by Blur frontman Damon Albarn (who was at his dreamy, serenading, and highly-strung best last night) and comic creator Jamie Hewlett in 1998 - together with the many guest artists who feature on their albums poses one of live music's great logistical challenges. In the past it's been too expensive, but it's all come together for the Escape To Plastic Beach Tour, with a cast of more than 35 singers and players. And this is how the monster multi-media live music freak show plays out. The virtual band - singer 2D, the Gollum-like band leader Murdoc, guitarist Noodle, and hulking drummer Russel - are beamed on to the giant screen and act out Hewlett's intriguing and twisted stories.

Meanwhile, the live band, including Albarn as ringmaster, Paul Simonon and Mick Jones of the Clash, and a girl septet of strings conjure up the trippy, bouncy, and often eerie Gorillaz sound. Then it's up to the cast of guests to do their thing, headed by mighty six-piece hip-hop brass band the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, American hip-hop act De La Soul, and veteran soul man Bobby Womack. Even Snoop Dogg shows up. Albeit larger than life up there on the giant video screen letting lose with his laid-back salvo on Welcome To the World of the Plastic Beach.

The two hour sets takes in almost all the new album Plastic Beach, as well as Gorillaz' brilliantly oddball pop hits, from the spooky and thrumming Tomorrow Comes Today and the cheeky melancholic lope of Clint Eastwood to the bass bop and clap along of Dirty Harry and the druggy haze holler of DARE. There's a fitting Clash-inspired end to the main set with the sonic squelch and weirdness of Glitter Freeze giving way to the steely crash and bash of Punk (which is like the start of Career Opportunities or Clash City Rockers), which is followed by Plastic Beach, with Simonon and Jones to the fore.

This is the last show of Gorillaz' world tour, and with music as fun, dark, and irresistibly cheeky as this - and with visuals and performances to match - it's one of the concerts of 2010. It's also, declares Albarn a little sadly, the last Gorillaz show. They will be missed because they are one of modern music's best, most innovative, and fun bands.

Who: Gorillaz

Where:Vector Arena

When: Last night

Mr_kiwi_fruit

January 6th, 2011, 03:55 AM

DAVID HASSELHOFF on patrol at Mt Maunganui beach

http://media.nzherald.co.nz/webcontent/image/jpg/SCCZEN_060111NZHAGHOFF01_460x230.JPG

Former television lifeguard David Hasselhoff has been hitting Mt Maunganui's Main Beach today to promote ice cream. The Baywatch star and international celebrity who inspired the saying "don't hassle the Hoff" was at the beach after 11am. Hasselhoff donned his trademark red shorts for a similar promotional event at Sydney's Bondi Beach this week. He was accompanied by a number of women in Baywatch-style swimsuits handing out ice creams to surprised beach goers. Mount Maunganui Surf Life Saving Club planned to take advantage of an expected 3000-strong crowd by fundraising with a bucket collection. Hasselhoff, who also starred in American television series Knight Rider, has a cult following in Germany for his pop career, and has been a judge on reality television talent competitions such as America's Got Talent and Britain's Got Talent.

piles

January 12th, 2011, 08:50 AM

http://libel.co.nz/2172-jimmy_buffett_to_perform_at_the_viaduct

Jimmy Buffett To Perform At The Viaduct

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l91/The_WCC/JimmyBuffet.jpg

This summer Te Wero Island at Auckland's Viaduct Harbour will become a tropical oasis when Jimmy Buffett & The Coral Reefer Band extend the Auckland Seafood Festival with one very special performance on Saturday 29th January.

For singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffett, life is a beach and everyone is invited to join in the fun. Based on the popularity of Buffett's music, notorious persona and his embrace of the island escapism lifestyle with his legions of Parrotheads - as his devoted fans are known - this beach party may never end. What can one expect from the man who famously said, "If life gives you limes, make margaritas."

Born in Mississippi and raised in Alabama, Buffett has translated his easygoing Gulf Coast persona into more than just a successful recording career - expanding into restaurant chains, clothing, nightclubs & literature - though it has to be said that the basis of the business empire that kept him on the Fortune magazine list of highest-earning entertainers is his music.

Buffett's music is known for its humorous chronicles of a laid-back seafaring life; his philosophy speaks that while things in the world may be wrong, and life can be littered with strife, right now everything is just fine. Such an ethos is encapsulated in hits such as Margaritaville (No. 234 on the Recording Industry Association of America's list of "Songs of the Century"), Cheeseburger In Paradise, Come Monday & Changes In Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes. He has recorded over forty albums, most of which have gone gold, platinum or multi-platinum. His sold-out concert tours are an annual rite of summer passage for his legions of fans, affectionately known as Parrotheads, many of whom are professionals by day and who dress in spectacular and outrageous tropical outfits and headwear when Jimmy comes to town.

Whilst best known for his music, which portrays the tropical escapist lifestyle he's renowned for, Buffett is also an author, businessman and philanthropist. A best-selling author, he has to date written three #1 New York Times best sellers both on the fiction and non-fiction lists, making him one of only eight authors in history who have reached #1 on both lists. Other authors on this fabled list include Ernest Hemingway, John Steinbeck and Dr Seuss.

About writing he said... "The basic way to be a good writer is to keep your eyes and ears open, and keep an open mind. If you can listen and you have a bit of imagination, you can create. I listen to everything. But don't go to a particular place and listen to the bellman at the hotel that caters to tourists. Go down to the local bar, to the waterfront where the fish are cleaned and listen to the local people. That's where you get your information."

Aside from his career in music, Buffett is also at the helm of the successful Margaritaville Café restaurant chain - a popular escapist dining concept which first opened in Key West, Florida in 1985 of which Buffett said "When I started out playing bars in this town, all I wanted was enough money to buy a boat I could sail away on if success faded. The other alternative was to buy my own bar so I could hire myself and just keep singing. Welcome to Margaritaville!" The Margaritaville chain now boasts several other establishments throughout the world including eight mainland USA locations as well as another ten properties in the Caribbean, Mexico and Hawaii.

Buffett has been involved in many charity efforts over the years, raising money and awareness for various organisations including The Save The Manatee Club (leading the West Indian Manatee preservation efforts), The Singing For Change Foundation, "Surviving The Storm" Hurricane Relief Concert in Orlando, Foreign Correspondent's Club Charity Fund (Buffett not only performed for free at an event in Hong Kong, but also paid for the concertgoers' tequila and beer), and in July 2010 Buffett put on a free concert on the beach in Gulf Shores, Alabama - a response to the BP oil disaster. In addition, many Parrothead club activities across the world are focused on charity work.

As if that weren't enough for Buffett, he is also a fourth-generation sailor and fisherman, a pilot, a surfer, and a frequent traveller to remote and exotic destinations of the world, having become addicted to National Geographic magazine as a child.

New Zealanders, it's summer and the party is about to start. It's time to kick back and grab yourself a frozen concoction and let the cool breeze blow over. Do not miss out on Jimmy Buffett & The Coral Reefer's landmark return to our shores.

JIMMY BUFFETT & THE CORAL REEFER BAND

Presented by Chugg Entertainment & the Auckland Seafood Festival

Saturday 29th January Te Wero Island, Viaduct Harbour Auckland

Go to www.chuggentertainment.com

Presale tickets will be available to people on the Eventfinder Jimmy Buffett Wait List at 9:00am Monday 17th.

To register for the exclusive presale go to http://www.eventfinder.co.nz and join the Eventfinder Wait List

before 8:00am Monday 17th January.

General public ticket release is at 9:00am Tuesday 18th January.

Mr_kiwi_fruit

February 11th, 2011, 09:51 PM

WILLIAM SHATNER charting course for NZ

The man who became a household name when he starred in Star Trek and Boston Legal is coming to Auckland for one show in which he will tell his life story. William Shatner (Captain James T. Kirk) will beam down to the Civic Theatre in April.

Mr_kiwi_fruit

February 11th, 2011, 09:56 PM

KELIS: Shaking City Hall

http://honeybeeasy.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/kelis-acapella1.jpg?w=460&h=258

A song like Milkshake was a rarity in the bog-standard world of modern day pop music. With its futuristic, tinpot beats and cheeky and staunch lines like "my milkshake brings all the boys to the yard", it was catchy as well as innovative. Nearly eight years on, Kelis is still proud of what the song, and follow-up Trick Me, achieved. "I changed music with those records," she says. "I changed the way females saw themselves. When Milkshake came out there was nothing else like it. And if you look at the five, six, seven years after, it completely made everything else detour. "I don't want to say that it was just me, but that era and time for me was so monumental because it really did change how female artists portrayed themselves and how their beats sounded, and how they talked on records. I think that's awesome, being a part of something that was really powerful, and Trick Me was just a continuation of that."

She was last in New Zealand in 2004 with a full band - around the time she was at her peak after Milkshake - and jokes that this time round, when she plays Splore-City tomorrow night, she will be bringing a "DJ symphony". That might sound a little budget but it is in keeping with her latest, dance-floor-focused album Flesh Tone, which features banging French house mogul David Guetta, along with the likes of Benny Benassi and Diplo. It's an oonst-driven dance pop fun fest. "I had no grand mission statement. I just wanted to make something that feels good," she says. However the late 2000s were anything but fun times for Kelis. Since her last album, Kelis Was Here in 2006, she has been arrested for disorderly conduct in Miami (she was later cleared of all charges) and in 2009 she filed for divorce from rapper Nas, who she married four years earlier. She was pregnant with their son Knight at the time.

Today on the phone from Kelis' home in Los Angeles, Knight is grumbling and squawking in the background as his mother chats in her laid-back, almost lethargic way. "He's grumpy today," she laughs. She says when Knight came along he helped inspire her passion for music again after years of being disillusioned with her art, losing her motivation to write, and struggling to find meaning in what she was doing. "[Having a baby] is the epitome of life, it's fun and exciting, and I'm happy in my life, I feel really blessed, so to me it's just about what feels good and about making this [music] fun again. "So I enjoy the music that I'm making now, I make my own schedule and I think having a child gives you a reason to work hard, whereas before it was like, 'why am I doing this?'."

She's quick to point out that while "being a mum is the best job I have" she's still her own person - and she loves making music too. "I think it's really important to keep your own identity, because it is really easy to get swallowed up and pulled in every direction. For me, just sticking to what I know has been the best thing I could have done." Kelis started out singing in church in Harlem, then left home to further her education and pursue a music career in her late teens. In the late-90s she hooked up with Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo of the Neptunes, who produced her beautifully crafted R&B-hip-hop debut, Kaleidoscope. Years later they would also produce Milkshake for her. Of course, Kaleidoscope, and songs like Caught Out There (remember her recurring line, "I hate you so much right now"?), started turning pop, R&B, and dance music inside out well before Milkshake.

And musically and creatively, Kelis feels she's come full circle these days. "When you start off in the business you have a really naive mentality and you really don't know what the business has in store for you. And then as you go on you become jaded and bitter," she laughs. "You know? When it's no longer a love and it becomes a job. "But now I think for me it's gone back to being not so much about the business as it is about loving what I do again - and wanting my child to see what I do."

LOWDOWN

Who: Kelis

Where & when:
Splore-City, Auckland Town Hall, Friday, playing 10.20pm

Albums:
Kaleidoscope (1999); Wanderland (2001); Tasty (2003); Kelis Was Here (2006); Flesh Tone (2010)

Mr_kiwi_fruit

February 11th, 2011, 09:59 PM

WALKING WITH DINOSAURS| Presented by: The Creature Production Company

M2UI001_AsM

Dinosaurs will once again roam the earth in a spectacular theatrical arena show, which commences its New Zealand season June 2011 at Vector Arena. Walking with Dinosaurs - The Arena Spectacular, based on the award-winning BBC Television series will see real size dinosaurs come to life in what promises to be one of the most exciting and groundbreaking shows ever seen in New Zealand. Watch 20 life-sized dinosaurs, including Tyrannosaurus Rex, rule the Earth again! Be amazed and thrilled as the greatest creatures ever to walk the planet dazzle you in this NZ$25 million production, set to captivate young and old alike. See them walk. Hear the roar. Be there as they fight for survival and supremacy.

From the ripple of their skin to the glint in their eye, you will know the dinosaurs really have returned! So make sure you have your seat to see the return of the dinosaurs! Walking with Dinosaurs – The Arena Spectacular is brought to New Zealand byThe Creature Production Company, an Australian Company, headed by CEO Carmen Pavlovic, in association with BBC Worldwide.Pavlovic said, “The BBC series was a brilliant blend of special effects, escapism, excitement and information. Our show brings together all of that, plus something extra - it’s live! In this production, 20 roaring, snarling “live” dinosaurs mesmerise the audience – and are as awe-inspiring as when they first walked on earth.”

For more information, please visit www.dinosaurlive.com

Mr_kiwi_fruit

February 11th, 2011, 10:04 PM

CHINESE LANTERN FESTIVAL in Auckland
18 to 20 FEB 2011

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2454/3805015309_1ac465224f_o.jpg

Bring all the family to celebrate the Chinese New Year of the Rabbit in Albert Park, amidst hundreds of beautiful feature lanterns specially imported from China. Browse dozens of delicious food stalls and picnic on the grass. Non-stop entertainment will include magical rod puppets from Sichuan, a jazz band from Shanghai, and rockband Askar Grey Wolf from China's far western Xinjiang province, fresh from a successful tour of Australia. The 12th Auckland Lantern Festival is brought to you by Asia New Zealand Foundation and Auckland Council, with principal sponsor HSBC.

Mr_kiwi_fruit

August 17th, 2011, 12:49 PM

Taylor Swift (http://www.biglittlecity.co.nz/event/taylor-swift-bringing-speak-now-tour-vector) Bringing Speak Now Tour to Vector - 16 MARCH 2012

http://www.biglittlecity.co.nz/sites/default/files/imagecache/article_image/Taylor%20Swift.jpg

bSTREET 2011 (http://www.biglittlecity.co.nz/event/bstreet-2011) - 27 AUGUST 2011

http://customersrock.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/rock-crowd.jpg

Mr_kiwi_fruit

August 17th, 2011, 12:58 PM

JOE (http://www.biglittlecity.co.nz/event/joe-good-bad-sexy-tour) - The Good, The Bad & The Sexy Tour - 15 SEPTEMBER 2011

http://www.biglittlecity.co.nz/sites/default/files/imagecache/homepage_view/Joe.jpg

New Zealand Fashion Week 2011 (http://www.nzfashionweek.com/) - 29 AUGUST to 03 SEPTEMBER 2011

http://www.biglittlecity.co.nz/sites/default/files/imagecache/homepage_view/Fashion%20Weekend%202011.jpg

Mr_kiwi_fruit

August 17th, 2011, 01:02 PM

How to Train Your Dragon (http://www.biglittlecity.co.nz/event/how-train-your-dragon-arena-spectacular-coming-vector)Arena Spectacular Coming to Vector - 01 APRIL 2012

http://www.biglittlecity.co.nz/sites/default/files/imagecache/article_image/How%20to%20Train%20Your%20Dragon%20updated.jpg

Mr_kiwi_fruit

August 17th, 2011, 01:12 PM

Taste (http://www.biglittlecity.co.nz/Events/Taste_of_New_Zealand) of New Zealand - 19 to 22 OCTOBER 2011

http://www.biglittlecity.co.nz/sites/default/files/imagecache/article_image/Taste%20of%20NZ%20new%20image.jpg

The AQUA (http://www.biglittlecity.co.nz/Events/The_Aqua_Experience) Experience - Now till 24 OCTOBER 2011

zj-qjF6uEhU

Mr_kiwi_fruit

August 17th, 2011, 01:25 PM

World of Wearable Art (http://www.worldofwearableart.com/) (WOW) - 25 AUGUST to 10 SEPTEMBER 2011

9z-NuHuRzSE

Cirque du Soleil (http://www.vectorarena.co.nz/cirquedusoleil/) | Saltimbanco - 25 AUGUST to 04 SEPTEMBER 2011

http://www.vectorarena.co.nz/userfiles/image/Cirque---Inner-v2.jpg http://www.vectorarena.co.nz/userfiles/image/Cirque2.jpg

Mr_kiwi_fruit

November 13th, 2011, 09:09 PM

MELISSA ETHERIDGE (http://www.biglittlecity.co.nz/Events/melissa-etheridge-announces-auckland-show-date) Announces Auckland show date

http://www.biglittlecity.co.nz/sites/default/files/imagecache/article_image/Melissa%20Etheridge.jpg

Fans will experience an evening of over two hours of Melissa’s extensive catalogue. The Frontier Touring Company is proud to announce that Oscar® and Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter MELISSA ETHERIDGE is returning to New Zealand and Australia for a very special July 2012 live tour.

Fans will experience an intimate evening of over two hours of powerful performances from Melissa’s extensive catalogue of hits when she returns for her first Australian appearances since 1996. The tour will kick off in New Zealand in July 2012 and will continue on to Australia.

The singer’s honest and confessional song writing style paired with her bluesy rock-infused vocals has seen her rise to the top of the musical spectrum since the her 1988 debut album Melissa Etheridge, which is certified triple platinum in Australia and double platinum in New Zealand.

Fan favourites such as ‘Bring Me Some Water’, ‘No Souvenirs’and ‘Ain't It Heavy’, for which she won her first Grammy for Best Female Rock Vocal, are amongst many of the songs that make Etheridge one of rock music’s most exciting performers.

Fans can rejoice at the news that the one and only Melissa Etheridge is returning to our shores for a series of electric and inspirational shows. Don’t miss a chance to see the legendary performer live in your city.

Mr_kiwi_fruit

November 13th, 2011, 09:10 PM

Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons (http://www.biglittlecity.co.nz/Events/frankie-valli-four-seasons)

http://www.biglittlecity.co.nz/sites/default/files/imagecache/article_image/Frankie%20Vali.jpg

Vector Arena is proud to host the only Auckland show of a classic pop icon as Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons hit our shores for the first time in more than 20 years next April.

Frankie Valli has had a career in music that is nothing short of amazing. He started singing in the 1950s and has never looked back, along the way racking up multiple hits both as a solo artist and with The Four Seasons. With the 2005 release of Jersey Boys, the Tony-winning musical that chronicles his life and music, a whole new generation of fans has discovered this master showman and hitmaker. Jersey Boys is also coming to NZ in April, so catching Frankie himself live before or after seeing the musical will surely make for a fantastic double-act for his legions of fans.

Frankie and The Four Seasons have had 71 chart hits in the US including 40 in the Top 40, 19 in the Top 10 and eight reaching No.1. Frankie has toured almost constantly since 1992 and his songs have been featured in such movies as The Deer Hunter, Dirty Dancing,Mrs.Doubtfire, and Conspiracy Theory, not to mention being heard on the small screen in The Sopranos, where Frankie also guest starred as mobster Rusty Millio in Seasons 5 and 6.

Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. will perform all their greatest hits on this tour, including the likes of “Sherry”, “Let’s Hang On”, “Bye Bye Baby (Baby Goodbye)”, “Big Girls Don’t Cry”, “Walk Like a Man”, “Rag Doll”, “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”, “Working My Way Back to You” and many more.

Mr_kiwi_fruit

November 13th, 2011, 09:14 PM

ON SALE NOW - HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON (http://www.biglittlecity.co.nz/event/how-train-your-dragon-arena-spectacular-coming-vector) Spectacular

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Global Creatures, the technical masterminds behind the phenomenon “Walking With Dinosaurs – The Arena Spectacular”, and DreamWorks Theatricals are bringing high-flying, fire-breathing dragons to life in an unparalleled live entertainment event for a worldwide audience. The How to Train Your Dragon Arena Spectacular is an epic arena adventure inspired by the Academy Award nominated DreamWorks Animation film, How to Train Your Dragon.

In the How to Train Your Dragon Arena Spectacular, audiences across the globe will have the unique opportunity to experience the world of How to Train Your Dragon in a one-of-a-kind, live theatrical event that promises to break every rule of traditional arena entertainment. In this state-of-the-art production, fire-breathing dragons will soar overhead, immersing audiences in a magical and mythical world of Vikings and Dragons.

The astonishing cast of characters features 24 Dragons, some with wingspans of up to 14 metres, Viking warriors and villagers as well as world-class circus and acrobatic performers. The arena spectacular will feature unrivalled production values, projections, flying, stunts, circus performers, fire and pyrotechnics. In one of the largest theatrical arena productions ever to go on tour, the How to Train Your Dragon Arena Spectacular will require a phenomenal 40 semi-trailers to transport the production whilst on the road around the world.

Mr_kiwi_fruit

November 13th, 2011, 09:16 PM

RYAN ADAMS (http://www.biglittlecity.co.nz/Events/ryan-adams-announces-nz-dates) announces NZ dates

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Don't miss Ryan Adams, when he performs his first ever NZ solo tour in March. Following the celebrated release of his new album Ashes & Fire, The Frontier Touring Company are delighted to announce that RYAN ADAMS will be performing a series of intimate one-man theatre shows across Australia and New Zealand in 2012. This will be Ryan’s first ever solo tour of the region, having toured here previously with backing band The Cardinals; and if the start of his US tour dates this month were any indication, fans are about to be rewarded in kind for their patience and unwavering loyalty: "If you have the opportunity to see Ryan Adams in action--do not pass go, do not collect $200, just buy that ticket and experience a once in a lifetime show." - Seattlest.

Mr_kiwi_fruit

November 13th, 2011, 09:18 PM

LAMB OF GOD (http://www.biglittlecity.co.nz/Events/lamb-god-announce-auckland-show) Announce Auckland Show

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The first of our fall-out from Soundwave 2012 has been announced with long-serving US metallers Lamb of God returning to NZ in March. They will be joined by The Black Dahlia Murder and Unearth playing at The Studio in Auckland. Metal began in the clubs, and it is to this environment which these three luminaries of relentless heaviness return, under the roof of inner city Auckland's recently enlarged and redeveloped Studio on Karangahape Road. With such an up-close and intimate setting, tickets for this show will not last long - miss out on this unique riff and beer drenched opportunity at your peril.

Mr_kiwi_fruit

November 13th, 2011, 09:19 PM

Symphony at the Movies with MICHAEL PARKINSON (http://www.biglittlecity.co.nz/Events/symphony-movies-michael-parkinson)

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Arguably the world's most loved TV talk-show host, Michael Parkinson, brings a touch of true celebrity to the stage when he teams up with the Auckland Philharmonia orchestra in a tribute to music in the movies for one very special night on February 15, 2012 at Auckland's Vector Arena.

Sharing his love of the silver screen and the stars that make it shine, Parky adds his own unique brand of wit, charm and banter to the line-up of music from film classics.

This is a rare opportunity, not only to see the king of talk-show live on stage, but also to re-visit the music that has made us laugh, cry and swoon from movies like Casablanca, Ben-Hur, The Magnificent Seven, Mission Impossible,
The Godfather and many more.

While the APO will hold the audience captive with the music by composers such as John Williams, Lalo Schifrin and Henry Mancini, Parky will have them entranced with memories and stories about his interviews with the stars of these classic movies.

Mr_kiwi_fruit

November 13th, 2011, 09:22 PM

INCUBUS (http://www.biglittlecity.co.nz/Events/incubus-announce-auckland-concert-date) announce Auckland concert date

http://www.biglittlecity.co.nz/sites/default/files/imagecache/article_image/Incubus.jpg

Multi-platinum Californian-based alt/funk rockers Incubus will play in Akl this summer. Multi-platinum Californian-based alt/funk rockers Incubus will head Down Under this summer to deliver two shows, in support of their seventh and latest album ‘If Not Now, When?’. Since forming in 1991, Incubus have accumulated worldwide album sales exceeding 13 million through their double decade-long rise to the top. Tickets go on sale Monday 31 October at 9am from ticketmaster.

Mr_kiwi_fruit

November 13th, 2011, 09:23 PM

SISTERS OF MERCY (http://www.biglittlecity.co.nz/Events/sisters-mercy)

http://www.biglittlecity.co.nz/sites/default/files/imagecache/article_image/Sisters%20of%20Mercy%20new.jpg

Don’t miss the band make history when they play their very first NZ show. “Be advised that the Sisters are going on tour again. We will behave very badly. We will wear some very loud shirts. We will wear some very wrong trousers. We will perform some very legendary rock music. It’s what we do.”

Take these words as a warning – 30 years after The Sisters of Mercy premiered their dense soundscapes in their spiritual home of Leeds, the band is finally coming to New Zealand, playing one show only on Wednesday 22nd February 2012.

For three decades The Sisters of Mercy have operated according to a self-written manual, unbeholden to record company demands or narrow genre descriptions – don’t miss the band make history when they play their very first New Zealand show in February.

Mr_kiwi_fruit

November 13th, 2011, 09:29 PM

2012 AUCKLAND SEAFOOD FESTIVAL (http://www.aucklandseafoodfestival.co.nz/)

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This year’s festival is set to be the best yet!. Held over the three days off Anniversary Weekend, this is New Zealand’s ultimate seafood celebration. The 2012 Auckland Seafood Festival will be held at Wynyard Quarter. This vibrant addition to the waterfront is not only big enough to house our ever-expanding festival, it’s great location in the BIG little city is handy for parking, public transport and accommodation. And of course it has some amazing views across the Waitemata Harbour.

All in all, it’s a pretty great place to enjoy some of New Zealand’s best seafood. There are over 100 varieties of seafood in NZ, and more than 40 different species will be on offer at the festival! All in all you can enjoy over 90 dishes including crayfish, paua, mussel, oysters, scampi, whelks and of course many different varieties of fish. Add to that all day music, loads of entertainment & competitions plus a great selection of NZ wine and beer. Hard to beat!

The Seafood School returns again with cooking classes from top chefs every day, open to all visitors with no additional charge. And for 2012 we introduce a Top Seafood Chef challenge for lucky audience members. New this year is our 'Dine on Dockside' area featuring six great restaurants, our popular Oyster & Champagne Tent and much much more that we will reveal as we lead up to the event. General admission tickets will be $20 at the gate but until 31 December 2011 tickets are just $15 online at Eventfinder. No booking fees, delivery or courier charges.

Mr_kiwi_fruit

November 13th, 2011, 09:38 PM

ROXETTE (http://www.biglittlecity.co.nz/event/roxette-announces-first-ever-nz-show)

http://www.biglittlecity.co.nz/sites/default/files/imagecache/article_image/Roxette.jpg

Roxette are coming to New Zealand for the first time to play one concert. In a show set to be one of THE live events of the new 2012 year, Live Nation is proud to announce Roxette are coming to New Zealand for the first time to play one concert only at Auckland’s Vector Arena on Saturday 11 February.

With hits including The Look, It Must Have Been Love, Joyride, Listen To Your Heart, Dangerous, Sleeping In My Car and Dressed For Success, Roxette have had plenty of NZ chart action over the years. The 1989 single The Look made it all the way to the top spot, followed by It Must Have Been Love (from the Pretty Woman film soundtrack) in the number 2 spot in 1990 and Joyride at number 3 in 1991.

Formed in the late 80’s and with 33 chart-busting singles, record sales exceeding 75 million, more number one and top 10 hits in America than ABBA and their very own Swedish postage stamp, Marie Fredriksson and Per Gessle’s pop duo Roxette earned a place in history as one of the most successful bands to come out of Sweden.

Mr_kiwi_fruit

November 13th, 2011, 09:41 PM

2011 SANTA PARADE (http://www.biglittlecity.co.nz/Events/farmers-santa-parade)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2600/4142690667_f7576f223d_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/craigsyd/4142690667/)
Santa Parade (http://www.flickr.com/photos/craigsyd/4142690667/) by craigsydnz (http://www.flickr.com/people/craigsyd/), on Flickr

For 77 years the Farmers Santa Parade has brought joy to the children of Auckland and this year is no exception. The Auckland Christmas parade features all the amazing pageantry, fun and surprises that have made this annual Auckland City extravaganza a perennial favourite. Heralding the start of the Christmas season, this beloved holiday parade features colourful grand floats representing the cultural diversity of today’s Auckland, lively marching bands, amazing character balloons, plus an appearance by Santa Claus! Brand new floats, new characters and a host of A-list celebrities will help us celebrate this year’s Parade.

Parade Route:

The 2.2 km Parade Route starts in Mayoral Drive, turns left into Queen Street, travels down Queen Street and left again into Customs Street West then up Albert Street, ending at Albert and Wellesley Streets.

Pre-Parade entertainment, product sampling and giveaways will begin from 1pm and all the action of the Farmers Santa Parade begins at 2pm.

Mr_kiwi_fruit

November 22nd, 2011, 09:17 PM

SEETHER (http://www.biglittlecity.co.nz/Events/seether) Announce Auckland Show

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Seether will play at the Studio in Auckland on Friday February 10. Los Angles based post-grunge alt-metal outfit Seether is heading back to New Zealand. The band has spent the past two months touring as one of the headline acts on the Uproar Festival alongside Avenged Sevenfold, Three Days Grace, Bullet For My Valentine and Escape The Fate amongst other acts. The past year has been a big one for the trio. Upon its release in May, album Holding Onto Strings Better Left To Fray got to No. 2 on the USBillboard Chart, No.1 on the US Rock Chart, No. 1 on the Alternative Chart and No. 1 on the Hard Rock Chart. It debuted in NZ at No. 6. A single off the album Country Song is the most played rock record in the States in 2011. Seether will play at the Studio in Auckland on Friday February 10.

Mr_kiwi_fruit

November 22nd, 2011, 09:21 PM

RANDOM ACTS (http://www.the-edge.co.nz/rahome.aspx) - Auckland Street Art

http://www.the-edge.co.nz/getattachment/d9654b87-c116-4369-b5ee-3111f28e0598/Holding-Tile.aspx

Aotea Square and surrounding streets are about to come alive with Random Acts! Theatre and street collide with urban and contemporary entertainment that reflects our unique Auckland environment and features a collection of family friendly interactive street theatre. Come on down to Auckland’s CBD and experience your city in a whole new light with:

Pacific Me Barbie come on down and meet real life hula dolls and then just push play! The Business are three suited business men morph into a gravity defying dance troupe. From Australia comes the extraordinary roaming giants Snuff Puppets with the Boom Family and the Seagulls - they can’t be missed! Help build a gigantic red jigsaw in Aotea Square with Red on Red people.

Discover what can happen when Green Jelly Man eats a huge bowl of green jelly and he likes to share with his audience! A wearable PAINT-BY-NUMBERS experience Bodography is a new take on interactive public art-making. Are they Aliens? Giant Worms? Elaborately-disguised security cameras? Or what? You decide as Eye Spies appear around the streets and Aotea Square.

Come inside the tent on Aotea Square and spin the Wheel of Experience, where it lands a story will be told, songs sung, and an adventures will be had. Witness a grey blank wall in Aotea Square transformed into a whimsical narrative with the creative team of Tape Art you may even be drawn into their work. Look up and watch Co Theatre Physical’s Vertical Auckland they will be tipping Auckland upside down and performing a spectacular aerial theatre show in Aotea Square.

An archaeological dig on Aotea Square!? Come and observe Soundig and experience what lies deep beneath the city. A large blackboard, a humble piece of chalk and your ability to wax lyrical is all you need to be part of this interactive interconnected collision between street and theatre!

SYDNEY

January 12th, 2012, 09:58 PM

System of a Down loves NZ

They love New Zealand so much the singer bought a house here and even became a New Zealand resident, and Kiwi fans can show their love when System of a Down play one Auckland show in February. The band, fronted by Serj Tankian, the American rock band will play at the Trust Stadium Arena on February 22 with special guests The Dillinger Escape Plan. The band were on a six-year-hiatus, before reuniting last year and their Auckland show is on the back of their headlining slot at Australia's Soundwave Festival.

System of a Down have had three number one albums on the Billboard charts as well as four Grammy nominations including a win in 2006 for the song B.Y.O.B. The band's songs, like Chop Suey and Aerials, focus on activism, war, terrorism and politics. Tankian has released two solo albums, including Elect The Dead, that he played in full with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra in Auckland Town Hall. While he might be in LA putting the finishing touches to his next solo album, Tankian says New Zealand is where his heart is. "New Zealand feels like home to me, and while my work takes me many places, I always love returning. I'm super-excited to be back home in Auckland again, this time with System."

cambennett

January 17th, 2012, 08:24 AM

2012 Big Day Out will be last in NZ
6:06 PM Tuesday Jan 17, 2012

.This Friday's Big Day Out is the last day out for Auckland, according to organisers.

The transtasman music festival is pulling the plug on its New Zealand show, although Australia concerts will continue.

3News reported tonight that festival organiser Ken West said it was no longer financially viable to hold the show in New Zealand.

The news was confirmed in a tweet this evening from the BigDayOutNZ feed:

"This year will be New Zealand's last Big Day Out. Come party with us this Friday. It's been an amazing 18 years here in Auckland."

This year's show has been hit by downsizing and sluggish ticket sales. Promoter Campbell Smith had earlier said the event at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland was unlikely to sell out this year.

"We need to have a good show to ensure that we can continue to run the show here," Smith said before the announcement of the show's future came out.

This year's line-up was overshadowed by controversy when headline act Kanye West dropped out of the New Zealand and several Australian shows after initially being announced. The acts for Friday's show include grunge act Soundgarden, Kasabian and Noel Gallagher's post-Oasis band High Flying Birds.

Online: Big Day Out

- HERALD

piles

January 17th, 2012, 08:55 AM

^^ They've conveniently announced this three days before the festival is going to take place, obviously to drum up as much ticket sales as possible for people who think this will be the last one (I also remember 1997 was meant to be the last one). No doubt all sorts of Facebook groups will start in the next 24 hours, with the thinking being if it does sell out there is no reason to can it here.

My prediction is it takes a year off and comes back to Auckland in 2014 will a lot of hoopla. If not, something else will fill the void. Maybe a downsized Soundwave Festival instead.

piles

January 21st, 2012, 09:57 AM

Big Day Out - 2012

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Big Day Out - 2007

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SYDNEY

February 1st, 2012, 06:49 AM

First international World of Wearable Arts show sells out

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The first international show of the renowned World of Wearable Arts sold out over the weekend. As part of Hong Kong Arts Festival's 40th anniversary this year, WOW has shipped out for the first time to perform at the overseas festival. The New Zealand show, founded in 1987, annually showcases weird and wacky themed artistic costumes in Wellington. WOW founder Dame Suzie Moncrieff said the series of 70-minute shows in Hong Kong started out with a bang, as performers faced two packed shows on Sunday. "We opened on Sunday with a private show for the Hong Kong Jockey Club, and then presented to a sold out public matinee audience.

"Both shows were well received. We had great feedback from the audience with people saying they had never seen anything like it." She said many of the audience said they were keen for another round of the show, which featured 100 garments from the historic WOW collection. "Many we spoke with said they would definitely come again next time, which bodes well for our goal of taking WOW performances to other international festivals." A total of eight performances and an audience of at least 16,000 are expected to attend over WOW's Hong Kong run until February 5.

The international show is comprised of a mixture of local Hong Kong performers and New Zealanders flown over for the occasion, she said. "The New Zealand performers and Hong Kong performers (made up of 35 local children and 38 local adult dancers) had rehearsed separately and came together for a full rehearsal less than two weeks ago. "The WOW team arrived here and hit the ground running, pulling together the show in its entirety in a very short timeframe. They've done a wonderful job, and New Zealand should be very proud of how the country has been represented on the international stage."

IThomas

February 8th, 2012, 10:09 PM

Lady Gaga confirms Auckland concert
Get your wackiest outfits ready and prepare for the monster ball - Lady Gaga has confirmed a June show in Auckland. The reigning Queen of Pop will perform for her "little monsters" at Auckland's Vector Arena on June 7 as part of her Born This Way Ball world tour. It will be Stefani Germanotta's third visit to New Zealand after playing support for the Pussycat Dolls in May, 2009, and two sold out shows in March, 2010. Gaga is known as much for her crazy costumes - she wore a meat dress at 2010's MTV Video Music Awards, and emerged from an egg at last year's Grammys - as her hit songs, of which there are many. She hit it big with Poker Face, Just Dance and Paparazzi from her 2008 album The Fame, and followed it up with Marry the Night and Judas from last year's Born This Way. Of her 2010 shows, reviewer Scott Kara said they were as much about the costumes as the music. "The show is a spectacle with a full band and troupe of dancers, multiple costume changes, and special effects including everything from a burning piano through to a scary monster who looks like a deep sea fish, giant squid, and some sort of Doctor Who creature morphed into one," he said. Just the one Auckland show has been announced for June 7, but Gaga doesn't have another gig scheduled until June 13 at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, so there could be room for more.

Pre-sale tickets go on sale on February 13 through www.visaentertainment.co.nz
They go on general release on February 17 through www.ticketmaster.co.nz

What: Lady Gaga
Where: Vector Arena, Auckland
When: Thursday, June 7