Jakob + Beastwars

This October sees the colossal union of New Zealand's heavyweight metal/post-rock outfits for a national tour. Beastwars and Jakob are both highly regarded in their respective sub-genres, and the chance to witness them sharing stages around the country is an experience not to be missed. With the playing order decided by coin toss each night, the bands will play four massive dates in New Zealand's main centres, beginning with Christchurch's Allen Street on Friday 2nd October, followed by Refuel in Dunedin on Saturday 3rd October. The following weekend Jakob and Beastwars hit the North Island, Wellington's San Fran on Friday 9th October and Auckland's Studio on Saturday 10th October for the tour's closing night.

Fresh from club dates around Europe and Dunk Festival in Belgium, New Zealand’s prog-rock heroes Jakob prove the impossible possible, bouncing back from years of injuries and interruptions with their powerhouse record Sines collecting the acclaimed Taite Prize in 2015. A formidable sonic instrumental three-piece, their live stage show is now more hard-hitting than ever. While Iconic bands like Mogwai, Sonic Youth, Sigur Ros and ISIS are considered Jakob’s artistic contemporaries, the band have have long since earned their own renown around the globe as a unique sonic entity. Having toured the world with the likes of Isis, Tool, Cog and Damo Suzuki, the band’s live show and sophisticated recorded output has progressed steadily over the years. Following a string of album release shows in late 2014, Jakob hit the sizzling summer stage at 2015’s Laneway Auckland, sending cool waves of pulsing post-rock to a sea of happy people. ‘They're an intense band to watch live, easily making punters forget the searing sun with grinding waves of progressive melodies’, said the NZ Herald of the Laneway performance. ‘Their knowing smiles before their bruising latest single Blind Them With Silence was telling - Jakob have come out of an intense period of injuries and uncertainty with their best album yet, and they know it.’

The inimitable Beastwars abide by one steadfast maxim: Obey the Riff. Formed in 2007, the band's reputation as a commanding live act was quickly secured with multiple nationwide tours and supports for hard rock heroes including Kyuss Lives, Melvins and Mastodon. When Blood Becomes Fire, the second album by the Wellington four-piece was released in April 2013, only Michael Buble stood between them and a chart-topping triumph. Since its release Beastwars have focused their sights on Australia with regular jaunts across the Tasman. 'The level of power projected by Beastwars was unfathomable', said Beat Magazine, 'something you’d expect from an encore-demanding stadium crowd... I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen a crowd lose their minds in such a manner.'
Beastwars are booked to record album number 3 in the weeks following this tour so fans can expect a set mixed with brand new material and favourites from their 2 critically lauded albums.

Seeing Beastwars and Jakob live individually is always a soul shaking experience. To catch them side by side on the same bill is a unique chance to celebrate the brute force and beauty of the country’s two most heralded live rock acts together.

Tickets are available on Thursday 6 August from Under The Radar.

Jakob and Beastwars New Zealand Tour

Friday 2nd October - Allen Street, Christchurch
Saturday 3rd October - Refuel, Dunedin
Friday 9th October - San Fran, Wellington
Saturday 10th October - The Studio, Auckland