Weekly Round Up: Friday 23rd March

It's been a whirlwind week of musical releases and tour announcements, with exciting news including the imminent return to Aotearoa of prolific US psychedelic legends The Brian Jonestown Massacre this coming June! Other tour highlights for the week included an upcoming national tour and new single by missing in action Wellington swamp rockers Thought Creature, a tour by beloved soul singer Tami Neilson in support of her new album Sassafrass!, a nationwide tour from Auckland-based folk artist Tom Cunliffe, extra solo shows around the country announced by acclaimed songwriter Anthonie Tonnon, and a special Auckland multimedia performance this May by returning UK artists Public Service Broadcasting.

Visiting contemporary jazz icon Kamasi Washington was in New Zealand last week for shows at WOMAD and at The Powerstation, he sat down with Jeff Henderson of Auckland-based experimental music facilitators the Audio Foundation for a special in-depth conversation exploring their shared love of musical creation which you can read HERE.

This is sadly the final week of shows for pivotal Auckland venue the Golden Dawn Tavern Of Power, you'll catch the UTR team warming the barstools for the last time at their closing party this Saturday. Local release highlights for the week included a bouncy disco single from Auckland rising stars Polyester, the debut EP from Wellington guitar-pop group girlboss, an adventurously catchy three song EP by Auckland via Rarotonga hip hop artist Lion Dixon and a hypnotic dance track from electronic dance producer High Jay. Christchurch-based singer and producer French Concession shared a powerful standalone single, Lawrence Arabia unveiled the second public release from his 2018 Singles Club, and synth wizard Kody Nielson lifted the lid on a pair of baroque synthesiser tunes from his forthcoming instrumental album Birthday Suite.

Our Caught Live video for the week features legendary UK punk poet John Cooper Clarke, who is returning to our shores for shows around the country this April. Watch footage of the man himself performing his famously expletive-ridden poem 'Evidently Chickentown' (preceded by a hilarious intro) at the Electric Picnic Festival in Ireland below...

WEEKEND GIG PICKS:

Friday

Auckland: Yukon Era, The Beths, HA The Unclear - Galatos
Auckland: Melodownz, Hans, Babyface - Whammy Bar
Wellington: Egovalve, Mishap, Stellarize - Caroline
Wellington: Big Country - San Fran
Christchurch: Nervous Jerk - Space Academy
Dunedin: Tiny Pieces of Eight, Bad Sav, Evil Kid - Captain Cook

Saturday

Auckland: Swan Fest - P.H.F., Caroles, Greenfog + More - The Wine Cellar
Auckland: Party To End Prisons - Polyester, Totems, Carb On Carb -Whammy Bar
Wellington: Miss Blanks - Caroline
Wellington: CubaDupa 2018 - Cuba Street
Christchurch: Darkspace IV - Randa, The Echo Ohs, Zero Cool - Darkroom / Space Academy
Dunedin: Sneaky Bones - U Bar

Head over to our Gig Guide for more listings!!!

NEW TRACKS: