turkeys

I've been here 3 years now and as a big fan of music and gigs it took me a while to find any gems. NZ has its own unique music scene and there are many bands I just wouldn't have heard of in the pretty insular UK music environment.

Going back for a trip to UK the top 3 artists I would recommend to a possibly indifferent UK audience would be:

The Phoenix Foundation.
Electric Wire Hustle.
Hollie Smith.

all of whom I have seen various times live in Wellington. I should also get to see the Phoenix Foundation play live in London when I am over there. That should prove interesting having a chat with expat Kiwis who are over there.

Who would be your favourite NZ musicians?

Bo-Jangles

Latest one for me is Annabel Fay

I WAS kinda liking this Avalanche City dude the first few times I heard it, BUT now its been utterly done to death.

Ninja757

My wife and I are coming to North Shore City in July (after Glastonbury!!) and are massive live music fans! What is on offer around North Island regarding live music?

turkeys

As a rule I would say the big league bands, such as Glastonbury headliners would play in Auckland as part of a world tour. One example in that category would be the Pixies who have played Auckland twice.

They would rarely come to Wellington, maybe as part of a NZ/Aussie tour. Probably more likely to skip Wellington and go for Christchurch I guess to do with ease of travel and and connections? Though in Wellington I have seen De La Soul twice and Queens of the Stone Age for example. The Arctic Monkeys played and Mouse on Mars played quite recently too

NZ and particularly Wellington has its own music scene that is well worth exploring, the bands I mentioned above would quite regularly play around Wellington - San Francisco Bathhouse or the Opera House, Town Hall etc. and then for real local quirky bands Mighty Mighty is good. There are also decent DJs on at places like Matterhorn.

Its nothing like Glastonbury or even the smaller festivals but they have a Homegrown festival in Wellington in March with Kiwi bands, WOMAD in New Plymouth and some of the vineyards have bands on - which would tend to be those who have seen better days e.g. Debbie Harry, Pretenders, B52s and the like.

You should have access to decent bands in Auckland for your music fix!

Serf365

ZZ Top and Good Charlotte played at the race car meeting last weekend in Hamilton. Economics might mean an end to bands at the race meeting.

There are small venues (in the Northern Auckland area) that do have acts from time to time such as at Leigh, 'up the road from' North Shore.
It is possible to catch a bus over to the Vector Arena (Neil Diamond was there earlier this year)rather than worry about the car.

NZ acts usually need to tour to survive or have other jobs or have be on artists welfare(?)
A few of the old venues have been demolished so the venues/ acts are changing all the time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9J0QUPN-Pxs (Anika Moa)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9WCjgYbL1U (Phoenix Foundation)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBF4hiaoqEw (Greg Johnson)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSkw6rH2-ZA (Maori Concert Party)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20Q8UGGafEs (Maori contest)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkUUR...x=2&playnext=2 (Street Chant)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdlOhbpm5lo (Jackie Bristow)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OH4S7eWP8mo (Emma Paki)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9t3ekryBOAU (Fiona Pears)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=St6YQhkbbOA (Julia Deans)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7ZwViizRwU (Hollie Smith)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Axj-xvyz8M (Brooke Fraser)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUBu4...MZqeAq&index=1 (Grayson Gilmour)

*http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAW37vIbNcw (Bic Runga- Something Good)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvYihKlgzOg (The Chills- Heavenly pop hit)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ipk-N...eature=related (Ladi6 - Bang bang)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O93EzrqZ6DY (Hello Sailor-Blue Lady)

Catchafire

I love the music scene, it's so diverse and because there is so little money involved, it is very accessible. We have been here for seven years now. Since then NZ has introduced me to

Shapeshifter - Drum N Bass (never even herd of DNB until we came here)

http://youtu.be/yHnMcRUQP7U

Fat Freddy's Drop - I love their first album, still a favorite now, can't even define their genre

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29MgzHUhHws

Samonella Dub - I reckon every Kiwi has this bands music imprinted in their soul

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03kj4fbKHr8

Enjoy!

Am Loolah

I'm so glad someone else mentioned Fat Freddy's Drop ... love these guys and they alternate between playing at Glastonbury to playing in the local pub in Mount Maunganui!

Ninja757

This all sounds good! I`ve heard about `The Big weekend??` .....whats this all about? and does anyone know when it is and who is performing?

turkeys

It's the Big Day Out in Auckland in January at Mt Smart. Not been myself but sounds pretty good

Ninja757

Thats it............ I heard Muse played there last year! I`ll be able to find the website now.....cheers!

sr71

Some more :

The Exponents (fantastic pub rock band)
Shihad
Elemeno P
Tiki Taane
Stellar*

all worth looking up.

turkeys

Add Little Bushman to the list