Music News

Weekly Roundup: Friday 22nd January

Chris Cudby / Image: Reb Fountain / Photo credit: Dave Simpson / Friday 22nd January, 2021 2:53PM

Bidding onlookers to "have a good life", the orange monster has at last returned to the luxury resort from whence he came, set to the tune of Frank Sinatra's 'My Way' (weird choice of song for a public servant). We don't want to jinx things, but 2021 is looking promising, backed up by the sterling selection of nationwide gig picks below for you to tuck into this weekend. It bears repeating that we encourage you to do your bit to help our live scene keep thriving — it really is as easy as scanning the Covid tracer app (download it here), getting into the habit of using it every time, and masking up when appropriate.

Announcement highlights for the week included Mermaidens revealed the full lineup for their forthcoming Mermgrown Festival in Pōneke that'll knock your socks right off, Girls Rock! Tāmaki Makaurau announced a special fundraiser event happening at Whammy Bar tonight starring fruit juice parade, Francisca Griffin (of Look Blue Go Purple), Earth Tongue, THEIA and DJ Aw B, and Ōtepoti-based folk-pop duo The Broken Heartbreakers are returning to the super city this weekend for two magical nights at The Wine Cellar.

This week we had a long-overdue chat with Pōneke songwriter Andre Smith of Heavy Chest, who'll be premiering songs from his first ever album under his own name for City Gallery Wellington's debut Tuatara Open Late event of the year in early February — read his conversation with Chris Cudby here. We also shone the spotlight on what's happening at this year's Auckland Live Fringe Town, happening inside and around Auckland Town Hall from 15th February to 21st February. Check out our handy and informative one-stop guide, featuring events starring KITA, Imugi 이무기, Maimoa, Zuke, the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and more right here. We were also stoked to premiere the hauntingly beautiful single and video from Jazmine Mary's forthcoming debut album The Licking Of A Tangerine, experience the Raglan-based songwriter's 'Dancer' here