Weekly Round Up: Friday 4th July

The first week of July brought with it a bunch of announcements, so here they are in chronological order of appearance: Australian alt-country outfit Wagons is jumping across the ditch for two shows in August following the recent release of their album Acid Rain & Sugar Cane. Pop punkers The Wonder Years from Philadelphia have announced three all-ages shows around the country for the month of September. Also in September, Angus and Julia Stone are heading over for one Auckland show, following the unveiling of their third album which has been produced by the legendary Rick Rubin. And the same month will see the London-based Howling Bells visiting for a one-off show. Ska icons The Selecter are set to head to New Zealand for the first time ever for three dates in early October to celebrate the 35th anniversary of their debut record Too Much Pressure. Dub meddler Mad Professor has been tipped to play the Northern Bass festival in Mangawhai over New Year's, but the main headline acts will be announced next week. We got word that the Raggamuffin festival will be getting a new home in Auckland, following eight years of shows in Rotorua. Along with that announcement the first two headliners, Ice Cube and UB40, were revealed. The event will now be held in December but the exact dates and location are yet to be revealed. And finally, the unlikely pairing of Sting and Paul Simon have announced a double-bill show for Auckland next January.

In release news, mysterious psych-prog group Goat from Sweden have shared single 'Hide From The Sun', as a taster for their upcoming album Commune, due out in September. Recently formed group Viet Cong (which includes two members of the art-rock act Women) unveiled single 'Static Wall' ahead of the release of their debut Cassette, which will be hitting shelves any day now. Minimalist rock group Shellac announced their first album since 2007 release Excellent Italian Greyhound. Titled Dude Incredible, it is due out mid-September and features some incredible album artwork. In anti-release news, experimental hip hop group Death Grips abruptly announced their disbandment and cancelled all tours. The decision comes shortly after the unveiling of Niggas On The Moon, part one of a two part release, which they say will still come to full fruition (Read our review of NOTM here). In local news, Wellington experimental folk artist Seth Frightening revealed a video for his track 'Dead Meat Dress Rehearsal', from his forthcoming album But We Love Our Brothers and Sisters due out later this month. And Christchurch couple The Response are today releasing their sophomore album North Of Nowhere, which will be celebrated with a gig at Darkroom this weekend.

This week's Caught Live is Warpaint doing a fun cover of David Bowie's track 'Ashes to Ashes' inside the BBC Music Teepee at Glastonbury...

WEEKEND GIG PICKS:

Friday

Auckland: Fuzz Fest with Husk, Greenfog and more, Kings Arms Tavern
Auckland: Papa Merdeka with SJD, Tourettes, Steve Abel and more, Wine Cellar and Whammy
Wellington: Ska-dependence Day with Battle-Ska Galatica and more, Bodega
Wellington: Bass Frontiers: Original Riddims, San Fran
Christchurch: Mermaidens with Indi, Darkroom (late show)
Christchurch: The Response Album Release Party, Darkroom (early show)
Dunedin: Paul Cathro with Band, Owls and Grawlixes, Taste Merchants

Saturday

Auckland: Walk Together, Rock Together - Hip Hop Vs Punk, Wine Cellar and Whammy
Auckland: Moppy, Ron Gallipoli and more, Audio Foundation
Wellington: Race Banyon, Fighting the Shakes, Dam-G and Lydia, Good Luck
Wellington: All Seeing Hand, Orchestra of Spheres, I.Ryoko, Valhalla
Christchurch: The River Jones, Darkroom
Christchurch: Ashei Album Release Party, Dux Live
Dunedin: Mermaidens with Males and Kane Strang, Chicks Hotel


For a heap more great gigs head to our gig guide section or grab our app (Android + iPhone available).

NEW TRACKS: