Review
It's a strange old time to be alive. You need only tune into the news to hear all about it. Or is that just misinformation? What about the economics of survival? Politics for dinner? How would we know? It's a constant flood of noise spilling into
Music
Kate Sheppard remains one of Aotearoa's most influential historical figures. She was a leading voice in the women's suffrage movement, campaigning tirelessly for gender equality and helping to secure New Zealand's place as the first self-governing country to grant women the right to vote
Interview
A lot has happened in the past year for Riiki Reid. After parting ways with the major label that helped shape her early career, she went on to receive the Radio Airplay Record of the Year at the Aotearoa Music Awards and deliver one of the night's standout
Interview
The Black Angels have spent more than two decades building a reputation as one of modern psychedelia's most enduring acts. From their hypnotic grooves and sprawling soundscapes to their politically charged themes, the Austin outfit have always followed their own path. Ahead of the band's return
Music
Succeeding in the Smokefree Rockquest is no easy feat. As Aotearoa's nationwide original music competition for youth, the lineup is stacked with talented young musicians who give it everything they've got in a professional live performance setting. Aisha and Bebe competed at last year's
Review
When Kid Harpoon, the writer and producer behind Harry Styles and Miley Cyrus, picks you from a group of more than 500 artists, it could be a sign you're doing something right. More so that you're either incredibly talented or maybe just plain lucky... Needless to
Music
The 2026 AMA's took place last night at The Civic Theatre in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland. Attendees were treated to a night of celebration, standout live performances and recognition for artists shaping the sound of Aotearoa music. Coming out on top was Marlon Williams, dominating the night with wins
Interview
Self doubt and grief are heavy burdens to carry. After a period away from music Beth Elsden has found her way back with a clear sense of purpose. Now with three singles under her belt and an upcoming EP on the horizon, we got the lowdown on how she rediscovered
Interview
Once known as the rap artist Randa, Mainard Larkin's path hasn't always been clear cut. Recently emerging with an unexpected new direction... it seems everyone is making country music nowadays. But this is so much more than that. These songs have depth and a level of
Fresh tracks, and the stories that matter in Aotearoa’s evolving scene.
Nineteen years young with a musical maturity that defies time, Ihaka has released his debut EP, HELP! I’m Stuck In Genesis. Creation can be chaotic and unpredictable for those of us who trust the muse. Ihaka has woven a collection of ideas into brooding mood scenes, making themselves known
The majority of bands have around three to five members. Wellington outfit Raw Collective are on a different scale all together. Eight musicians throwing their full force into a sound big enough to stretch across genres. Their latest release In The Clouds is an ode to growth and change. Blending
Every year May rolls around, and the New Zealand music industry hits repeat: Support local. Listen local. Show up. It is all of the best intention. Playlists. Panels. Posters in shop windows. Radio hosts talking up “our sound.”, not to mention new music releases. It is a positively electric time.
Georgia Knight's long-awaited return to the stage proved that some performances are worth postponing. Originally scheduled for April, before weather conditions forced a delay, Saturday's performance at Neck of the Woods was like stepping into another world. The evening opened with 'Huaxi Flowerstream', a
A lot of songs come crashing in with hooks and hype. They're built to capture attention and engulf the listener in an immersive 'on trend' experience. It's a common theme seen in many of the tracks that land in our inbox. Suze Harper goes
Auckland artist Sabreen has released a new version of her 2025 single ‘The End’, this time reworked through a collaboration with Palestinian artist and activist Rana Hamida. ‘The End (Arabic Version)’ expands on the original song, digging into grief, and connection - combining South Asian and Palestinian musical influences into
Wellington is about to host one of the strangest and loudest live events of the year. The NZ International Comedy Festival and NZ Music Month are coming together for Pōneke House Party, a one night collision of comedy, music and chaos at the Opera House on Sunday 17 May. Co-headlined
Greta van den Brink's journey from the film industry to fully fledged musician has been nothing short of curious. She continues to play a distinct and active role in music video production, while threading a unique combination of influences into her sound. Greta's profile is growing
There is a slow fading of that (anti-culture) New Zealand-ism in modern Aotearoa. It's an imperfect, organic way of life that presents itself in our strange rounded yet twangy accent. A habit of calling things as they are and an unintentional preference for downplaying it. Go back twenty
It’s great to see the Aotearoa music scene thriving and I love that we still set aside the month of May to celebrate our local artists and bands – especially fresh talent. But I’ve struggled these past few years to keep up with the pace at which new artists
& Juliet has hit the Civic in all its electro-pop glory and like Katy Perry - audiences haven’t just liked it, they are loving it! The Shakespeare inspired Jukebox musical of songs written by award winning singer-songwriter Max Martin features tunes audiences love, including Hit Me Baby One More
Her new single All of Me pulls from folk roots fused with pop rock textures - it's a deliberate and stylistically driven sound refined with just enough edge to feel lived in and direct. Dani writes with a sort of tension that draws on soft lines and open
