Music News

Weekly Roundup: Friday 21st June

Friday 21st June, 2019 2:58PM

There’s been exponential local music growth this June, with tunes, LPs and tour announcements conveniently ramping up just as UTR editor Chris Cudby jets off to Dark Mofo 2019 and assistant editor Annabel Kean cautiously takes the wheel. It’s been a huge week for tour announcements; Ohio indie rock icons The National are returning to Aotearoa in April 2020 to play a very special pair of intimate headline events at Auckland's ASB Theatre, Pōneke’s Same Name Confusion released dates for a nationwide tour to celebrate their EP In Theory being re-issued on vinyl, Taranaki hardcore / punk legends Sticky Filth are kicking it in the South Island for the first time in 24 years, Tamaki Mākaurau four-piece Ha The Unclear will be handing out warm cups of pop-rock to punters in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin from the end of July through to mid-August, Taiwan electronic experimentalist, DJ and performance artist Betty Apple is heading our way for a four day nationwide tour, prolific ghostly Wellingtonians crew The Spectre Collective will be treating fans of hypnotic krautrock grooves and incendiary riffage on their first national tour this winter, and my personal favourite (for which I’ve already saved the date): Sean Paul, Shaggy, Toots and the Maytals, and Nesian Mystik have been announced for the 2020 One Love festival line-up!

We had the privilege of chatting to Indie-pop luminary Scott Mannion, co-founder of Auckland label Lil' Chief Records - the interview with Stevie Kaye dives into Mannion’s latest release. Local acts all across the country are killing it at the moment, with oodles of fresh tracks and albums out this week. Tamaki Mākaurau’s UK born, Nigerian rapper and producer Unchained XL dropped wicked track '2 To The 6', Pōneke psych-rock duo Earth Tongue have rolled out a precious gem of a first release Floating Being, and metal legends Beastwars have unleashed a powerful new track ahead of their album release next week.

This week’s Caught Live video captures Wellington alt-pop songwriter Neil MacLeod performing track 'Settle' from his 2017 EP Sonder for a RDU. He’s embarking on a three-city tour of Aotearoa this winter in celebration of the recent release of his lush To Unfold EP, produced by Devin Abrams (Shapeshifter, Drax Project, Pacific Heights). MacLeod will be performing in Auckland, Christchurch and a three night run at Wellington's BATS Theatre – joined by his two-piece band, special guests and a full light show. Check him out below, and peruse our recent interview while you listen…