Weekly Round-Up: Friday 23rd November

As is the case this time of year, this week has been jam-packed with announcements of international artists touring here - just as we start to settle into the summer weather, too. The original members of Black Sabbath are re-uniting for the first time in four decades and will play one show in New Zealand, in Auckland next year. Nineties alt-rock band Garbage released a new album earlier this year and will play two shows over here - their first since playing the 2002 Big Day Out. In smaller announcements, The Oh Sees will play Whammy Bar in February in support of latest album Putrifiers II, while Real Estate have been added - on top of A Place to Bury Strangers who were announced last week - to the already-excellent Laneway Festival line-up.
In festival-related news, Tame Impala - who will play this year's Rhythm and Vines festival - performed lead single 'Elephant' from sophomore release Lonerism on Later with Jools Holland.

A couple of album announcements have made us extremely excited this week too. After releasing a set of sheet music instead of actual music recently, Beck has announced he is working on an album-proper, while Karen O also confirmed that the Yeah Yeah Yeahs are working on new material for a 2013 release.

Finally, while we will do a Christmas-themed round-up closer to the time, this is something everybody needs to see immediately.

Check out Heavy Weight Friday in Wellington in WEEKEND GIG PICKS:

Friday 23rd November

AUCKLAND: Two Cartoons And Males Beach Demons Tour, Rising Sun
AUCKLAND: Sharkness Album Auckland Release with Tiny Ruins, The Wine Cellar
AUCKLAND: The Boxcar Rattle with The Bemsha Swing + more, Kings Arms
AUCKLAND: The Roseneath Centennial Ragtime Band, Galatos Live
WELLINGTON: Beastwars, Arc of Ascent and Von Thundersvolt, SFBH
WELLINGTON: Bleeders 2012 NZ Reunion Tour with Cobra Khan, Bodega
WELLINGTON: Cairo Knife with Decortica, Mighty Mighty
WHANGANUI: Sports and Proton Beast, Space Monster
CHRISTCHURCH: Ashei, Phantom Empire and Gearloose, Dux Live

Saturday 24th November

AUCKLAND: The Lil' Chief Xmas Party, Kings Arms Tavern
AUCKLAND: Kittentank Hoopla Double Album Release Party, Wine Cellar and Whammy Bar
AUCKLAND: Two Cartoons And Males Beach Demons Tour
AUCKLAND: Cairo Knife Fight with Decortica, Thirsty Dog
AUCKLAND: Nikki Minaj, Vector Arena
WELLINGTON: Sports And Proton Beast, Burgundy Room (Bodega)
WELLINGTON: Urbantramper, Timothy Blackman + More, Bodega

Sunday 25th November

WELLINGTON: Gatekeeper (NY), Puppies

Coming up mid-week:

WELLINGTON: Omar Rodriguez Lopez Group, SFBH (Tuesday)
AUCKLAND: Omar Rodriguez Lopez Group, Kings Arms Tavern (Wednesday)
AUCKLAND: Blondie and The Stranglers, Trusts Stadium (Thursday)

NEW MUSIC: