Weekly Round Up: Friday 8th May

Things were unusually quiet in terms of tour announcements this week. But the hot-off-the-press is news that Randa and Trip Pony are teaming up for a five-date joint tour around the country kicking off at the end of the month, which is sure to be a heap of fun. We also heard from Dictaphone Blues, who has four shows lined up for late-May and mid-June to celebrate the release of a new video for porno-themed single 'Lance's Tape'.

In release news things were considerably busier. Stand outs include the buzzy new video by METZ for their single 'The Swimmer' from sophomore album METZ II. Perfect Pussy frontwoman Meredith Graves shared a relatively sedate track as her first publicly released solo effort. And the Chemical Brothers unveiled awesome new cut 'Go' (featuring Q-Tip) with a video from the mind of Michel Gondry.

In local release news, Auckland acid rock trio The Bonsai Birds shared a couple of psychedelic songs, including this one, from their upcoming record. Wellington garage-punk pair Freak Magnet let loose a new album as they prepare to head over to Australia and Europe to tour. Also from the capital city, So Laid Back Country China unveiled their beautiful desert-inspired debut album for streaming. And newly formed Auckland trio the moonlight (featuring members from Xanadu and Lost Rockets) shared a sonic taster of things to come.

This week's Caught Live is Blur performing an amazing acoustic version of 'Tender' with Jimmy Fallon backstage at The Tonight Show ...

WEEKEND GIG PICKS:

Friday

Auckland: Yumi Zouma and Doprah - Kings Arms Tavern
Auckland: Ulcerate with Slavedriver and Prisoner of War - Whammy
Wellington: Invasion with The Heathen Collective, Winterborn + more - Valhalla
Wellington: ACCA DACCA - Bodega
Christchurch: P.H.F. with The Muscle and OPC - Wunderbar
Christchurch: Nadia Reid with Fraser Ross and Motte - Darkroom
Dunedin: Miss June Matriarchy Release Tour - Chicks Hotel
Dunedin: Robert Scott with Rob Shama - Taste Merchants

Saturday

Auckland: Parents, Raw Nerves and Wilberforces - The Lucha Lounge
Auckland: Paper Cranes, Holly Arrowsmith and Little Brother - The Wine Cellar
Wellington: Yumi Zouma and Doprah - Meow
Wellington: Terror Of The Deep - Pyramid Club
Christchurch: The Eastern and The Republic Of Poets - Oxford Town Hall
Christchurch: Miss June Matriarchy Release Tour - Darkroom
Dunedin: Jono Heyes And The Mama Yeva Tour Fundraiser - Chicks Hotel

NEW TRACKS: