Merzbow New Zealand Tour Announced

Preeminent Japanese noise-artist Merzbow, aka Masami Akita, has been announced to tour New Zealand in November. Taking 'prolific' to all new levels, Akita has released well over 300 records under the monikor and authored a number of books. He is touring as part of the annual Altmusic programme run by the Audio Foundation, here are the dates and we'll bring you venue and ticketing info once available...

Merzbow New Zealand Tour

Auckland - Saturday 16 November
Wellington - Sunday 17 November
Dunedin - Wednesday 20 Tuesday 19 November
Christchurch - Thursday 21 November

UPDATE: tickets on sale now from HERE at UTR and usual retailers.

Press Release:

Altmusic is 100% excited to announce that Japanese noise legend Merzbow (Masami Akita) will be touring New Zealand this November!

A titan in the world of innovative/experimental music culture, Merzbow (Masami Akita) is arguably THE definitive Japanese musician of the late 20th / early 21st Century. With a torrent of speaker-blowing releases under his belt Merzbow's oeuvre is one of all-encompassing, unrelenting and uncompromising sound production. Merzbow is a singular artist who has had a hugely significant international impact on a generation of listeners and sound makers. A pivotal, legendary figure, Merzbow's tour of New Zealand will be a true must-see event – bring earplugs! This event will be HUGE.

“Think of those artists who overpowered the grind of their eras: Bach, Wagner, Miles Davis, The Beatles - all of these people were consistently displaced of their time by the striking originality of their work... there is a case for including Masami Akita (Merzbow) in such a group.” - Pitchfork

“Everyone should own at least one Merzbow record.” - Tiny Mix Tapes

“Though the work is largely atonal and non-harmonic, it is bursting with timbre and texture and vibrancy” - The New Yorker

Recording and releasing as Merzbow since 1980, Masami Akita's discography is truly oceanic in scope, reaching a maximalist plateau with the release of the 50 CD Merzbox collection in 2000. Merzbow has released countless solo LPs via numerous labels including Mego, Tzadik, Tigerbeat6, Digital Hardcore, Blast First and his own ZSF Product label. He has released collaborative works with such international luminaries as Sonic Youth, Boris, Genesis P-Orridge (Psychic TV) and Eye (Boredoms). Merzbow has had multiple tribute albums recorded in his honour.

Auckland - Saturday 16 November
Wellington - Sunday 17 November
Dunedin - Wednesday 20  Tuesday 19 November
Christchurch - Thursday 21 November
(venues and supports tba)

Altmusic is a programme administered by the Audio Foundation