Primer: Auckland Live NZ Music Month Events

The hardworking team at Auckland Live have whipped up an exciting mix of NZ Music Month treats, centred around Aotea Square and Britomart. Celebrating Tāmaki Makaurau's UNESCO City of Music status, Auckland Live's hub for the month is the See.Do.Auckland. set up in Britomart Station, where you can find info on NZ Music Month goings on, begin an epic walking tour of local music venue history, or even tinkle the ivories when inspiration strikes. Make your way downtown for all the super special installations, pop-ups, morning piano recitals and more —here's the lowdown on what's happening in May, with even more events to be announced...

Auckland Live celebrates NZ Music Month
May 2021 — various Auckland venues
For more details head over to the Auckland Live website HERE, all events are all ages

Every Tuesday in May - APO Aspiring Musicians Morning Piano Recital, Britomart Station (free, 8am to 9am)

Although the piano at the See.Do.Auckland pop-up is available to play most of the time, on Tuesday mornings it'll be warmed up by a few incredibly talented young pianists, each recipients of the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra Haydn Staples Piano Scholarship.

Every Wednesday Evening - Stand Up Stand Out Showcase, Britomart Station (free, 5.15pm to 5.45pm)

Stop by the See.Do.Auckland pop-up any Wednesday after work to be serenaded by one of four young up-and-coming New Zealand songwriters, presented by SUSO (Stand Up Stand Out): Katie-Lee Webster, Eugene Odiaz, Erin Geraghty and Silika Isaia.

Wednesday 5th & 12th May - Wednesday Waiata, Britomart Station (free, 8am to 8.30am)

Lead and performed by Māori performance rōpū HIWA, Wednesday Waiata will brighten your chilly autumn mornings. Join in if you like, or just enjoy the familiar, cockles-warming tunes.

Thursday 6th May - SIX60: Till The Lights Go Out, Aotea Square (free, 6pm start)

If you've ever wondered "What's the deal with those Six60 guys?", all your questions will be answered in the in-depth Six60 doco SIX60: Till The Lights Go Out. Directed by Julia Parnell, the film came out late last year to warm reviews, and now you can see it for free in an outdoor screening this week...

Every Thursday in May - 95bFM DJs live at Britomart, Britomart Station (free, 5pm to 6pm)

Four of 95bFM's most excellent DJs will be taking turns manning the decks on Thursdays, perfectly timed to help you shake off those post-work blues. Totally free of charge, find Bridge, Sam Harmony, Amelia or Sigrid playing tunes at Britomart any Thursday in May.

Daily throughout May - Piano Stairs, Aotea Square (free, 7am to 11pm) + Hopscotch, Britomart Station (free, 7am to 7pm)

Auckland Live has doubly delivered on my favourite way to exercise: Having fun while completely unaware of any physical exertion. Make a day of it with TWO different interactive installations within walking distance - the piano staircase in Aotea Square and Simon Watts' (STOMP) musical hopscotch...

Every Saturday - Historical Music Venues Tour, Britomart Station (book HERE, 12.30pm to 1.30pm)

For years now writer Gareth Shute has been uncovering the history of Auckland's music venues from as far back as the early 1900s, including long-gone dancehalls and buildings that still stand today. Shute will be taking groups through Britomart side streets every Saturday this month, transporting attendees through the decades. If you can't make one of the guided tours, you can learn at your leisure using the AKL City Tours app or check out one of the maps he did for AudioCulture below (the rest can be found by searching "map" on the AudioCulture website HERE)...

Friday 28th May - NZ Music T-shirt Day & pop-up record store, Britomart Station (free)

For NZ Music T-Shirt Day this year make a beeline for the Auckland Live x Flying Out pop-up record and merch store. Wear your favourite music tee (or find a new one at the See.Do.Auckland shop) to promote MusicHelps Live and remind people to donate.