Production is underway for Piki Films’ new feature film starring Erana James, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and Waikato Tainui (The Wilds, The Changeover), Nathalie Morris (Bump, Petrol), new talent Manaia Hall, Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Manawa, Ngāti Pukenga, and acclaimed actor Rima Te Wiata, Ngāti Raukawa (Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Housebound).
From the production house behind NZ box office hits Jojo Rabbit, Baby Done, Hunt for the Wilderpeople and The Breaker Upperers, the film follows the friendship of three misfit teens trapped at an institution inconveniently situated on a tiny island. The school’s mission is to transform delinquents from barbarism to domestication.
Directed by Josephine Stewart-Te Whiu, Ngāpuhi and Te Arawa (Waru, Ani), the film is written by cartoonist and writer Maddie Dai, whose work features in the New Yorker, with additional writing from Stewart-Te Whiu.
Director Josephine Stewart-Te Whiu said: “The strength and friendship in these young women is funny and inspiring, and to bring this film to life is my teenage dream. It’s a privilege to be working with such an incredible cast and crew in Christchurch.”
It will be produced by Morgan Waru of Piki Films, Ngāti Porou (Baby Done) and Polly Fryer (The Golden Hour). The film features Ōtamahua Island and is being made with support from Te Hapū o Ngāti Wheke.
The film is made with investment by The New Zealand Film Commission, the New Zealand Government’s Screen Production Grant, Fit Via Vi, Screen CanterburyNZ, Department of Post, Native Audio, and Kiwibank. The film is distributed in New Zealand by Madman and Piki Films and in Australia by Madman.
‘CYCLORAMA’, NZ’S FIRST E-BIKE FESTIVAL TO DEBUT THIS LABOUR WEEKEND
Cyclorama, New Zealand’s first e-bike festival is set to debut this Labour Weekend (22nd and 23rd October) in Arrowtown offering the ultimate weekend destination for the growing numbers of e-bike riders.
The brainchild of Film and TV producer Dave Gibson, and curated after research from festivals around the world, Cyclorama offers riders from New Zealand and abroad the chance to ride spectacular trails while experiencing aspects of the Whakatipu that make it such a renowned destination. Whether you are into wine, beer, gin, food or bird watching - there is a ride and stunning views for you to lap up.
Cyclorama offers six carefully designed and curated rides suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Riders are welcome to bring their own e-bike to the festival or secure a bike from one of the local rental suppliers. E-Bike experience is not specifically required and there’s no need for a high level of fitness to enjoy many of the rides.
All rides start and finish in Arrowtown at the Cyclorama Festival Village which will house various e-bike retailers and accessory providers. In addition there will be e-bike activities set up to complement Arrowtown’s great cafes, bars, restaurants and shops.
“It’s fantastic to be welcoming a new bike-focused event to the region,” says Destination Queenstown Marketing & Communications Director, Sarah O’Donnell. “We are very excited to be hosting the inaugural Cyclorama e-bike festival in our region, showcasing both the amazing biking in our region but also the huge range of world-class experiences that Queenstown is renowned for. It’s shaping up to be an outstanding programme of activities and we look forward to welcoming visitors here.”
Tickets are limited and are on sale now from the website www.cyclorama.co.nz
THE RIDES
TOUR DE GOURMET
Tour de Gourmet offers riders a spectacular ride through the Central Otago countryside with featured degustation style foodie stops along the way.
Largely based around Arrowtown, Lake Hayes and Dalefield, riders will be treated to delicious locally sourced food with matched beverages at four very special locations.
This ride has sessions across both the Saturday and Sunday and includes food and beverages at each stop.
GINOLOGY
This ride gives riders the unique opportunity to blend your own craft gin under the expert guidance of renowned Fenton Street distiller Stuart Green. After riding to a colourful taxidermist’s studio on the Arrow River Bridges trail, Stuart will guide riders nose and palate through a gin tasting session, while he regales the group with the tales that made Fenton Street an award-winning distillery. Following that, riders will have the chance to make their own gin by selecting from a range of botanicals, then blending them into their very own exclusive gin to take home.
THE HOP TRAIL
This ride is an adventurous 50 km ride highlighted with tastings at some of the best craft breweries in the Wakatipu basin.
Travelling across a rarely accessed track riders will head to Arthur’s Point where riders have craft beer tastings at both Cargo Brewing and Canyon Brewing, choosing one location for their late lunch. Lager, IPA, Pilsner, Wheat, Porter, Hazy…maybe even a seltzer, a radler or a cider will be available at each of the two breweries offering different tastings.
Then it’s back to Arrowtown via the occasionally challenging Lower Shotover/Kimi Ākau Trail (and a diversion around the slip). In Arrowtown, riders will choose to try a Lake & Wood brew at Slow Cuts from local brewer Jay Sherwood or choose from a wide selection of craft beers at The Fork and Tap where there will be live music.
RIDE TO THE SKY
Local e-MTB guide, Shay Muddle normally guides riders up Grant Peak. For Cyclorama he will guide riders up one of his favourite and hard to access rides – Mt Rosa.
Shay will transport the bikes out to Gibbston Valley to save batteries for the breath-taking one hour ride up the hill. Although moderate experience is required, this is a chance for riders to take themselves to the next level and do something a bit different with a guide.
PEDDLING PINOT
Riders will head along the Arrow and Kawarau Rivers taking in all the sights en route to Gibbston Valley and to Valli vineyard where they will meet Grant Taylor amongst his vines.
Grant will share the reasons why he grows pinot grapes here and what’s special about the land and the varietal. Together they will ride through the vines to Kinross for a tasting showcase which will demonstrate the different nature of terroir by comparing pinot noir from his Gibbston and Waitaki vineyards.
A delicious lunch with Grant in the Kinross Wine Garden will be served with an accompanying glass of wine.
AWAKE WITH THE BIRDS
Riders will enjoy a gentle early morning e-bike ride around Lake Hayes with the chance to spot pukeko, crested grebes, black shag, New Zealand scaup, white-faced herons, black swans, kingfishers, waterfowl and coot.
October is a great month for bird watching and riders will be guided by zoology graduate, eBirder and experienced nature guide Petrina Duncan alongside bike pro Tony Moore. Binoculars are supplied or you may bring your own.
The ride includes brunch at The Dishery on return to Arrowtown, where riders can relax, debrief on what they have seen and watch the Festival Village come alive from their own special table.
TRAILER UNVEILED FOR UPCOMING KIWI FILM ‘MILLIE LIES LOW’ STARRING ANA SCOTNEY AND RACHEL HOUSE
The enthralling trailer for upcoming Kiwi film Millie Lies Low has today been released, ahead of the comedy-drama’s general release on September 29th. Bringing the story of Millie to life is actor, artist and theatre-maker Ana Scotney (Cousins, The Breaker Upperers), Kiwi acting stalwart Rachel House (Bellbird, Hunt for the Wilderpeople), and is supported by Chris Alosio, Jillian Nguyen and Sam Cotton. The film has screened at prestigious film festivals SXSW, Berlinale, Sydney Film Festival and the New Zealand International Film Festival, and will soon screen in Melbourne and Edinburgh.
Millie Lies Low is Michelle Savill’s feature film directorial debut, with Millie’s story inspired by her own. When heading to France to screen her award-winning short film Ellen is Leaving at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, Savill arrived to the airport to discover her flight had left 24 hours earlier. While a kind airline staffer saved the day, it inspired the story behind Millie Lies Low, where our main character isn’t quite so lucky.
Co-written by Savill and Eli Kent (Coming Home in the Dark), Millie Lies Low follows Millie, an architecture student on her way to New York for an internship, before a moment of panic causes her to miss her flight. Unable to afford another ticket, and worried about the shame of confessing to her friends and family, she hides out in Wellington until she can scrounge together the money for another flight. Keeping her loved ones in the dark starts to backfire, causing Millie’s world to crumble around her.
Director Michelle Savill is thrilled to share Millie Lies Low with Kiwis: "It has been great to share the film with audiences around the world and I am now looking forward to bringing it back home."
Lead actress Ana Scotney adds: “I am so excited we are finally getting to share Millie Lies Low with Aotearoa after such a wild two years! It’s been an honour to be part of this film and share a performance that reflects such an anxious time. I hope you all enjoy the ride!”
CEO of Rialto Distribution Kelly Rogers says: “We are thrilled and excited to be releasing Michelle’s wonderfully entertaining film to Kiwi and Australian audiences in a golden year for local films.”
Produced by Desray Armstrong (Coming Home in the Dark, Juniper) and Angela Littlejohn (Juniper, The Drivers Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson), Millie Lies Low was made with financing from the New Zealand Film Commission, Images and Sound, Rialto Distribution and private investors. The film was completed with funding from the New Zealand Government’s Screen Production Recovery Fund.
Rialto Distribution will distribute the film in New Zealand and Australia.
TRAILER RELEASED FOR KIWI DRAMA FEATURE FILM PUNCH
The trailer for local drama film Punch has today been unveiled ahead of its nationwide general release on September 8th, 2022. The film stars British actor and Oscar nominee Tim Roth (Bergman Island, Rob Roy, Pulp Fiction, Tin Star), alongside rising Aotearoa talent Jordan Oosterhof (Cul De Sac) and Toi Whakaari graduate Conan Hayes (Sweet Tooth).
Welby Ings, whose award-winning short films have screened at more than 80 international festivals, is writer and director for the project. Punch is a contemporary love story about loyalty and redemption.
The story follows seventeen-year-old small-town golden boy and boxing hero, Jim (Oosterhof), who carries the hopes and dreams of his father Stan (Roth) on his shoulders. His growing relationship with local boy, Whetu (Hayes), forces him to confront the truth about his sexuality, navigating isolation, hypocrisy and the brutality of small town life.
Punch had been a long-time passion project for writer and director Welby Ings: “I am so proud of this story - rarely told – it’s a homage to a truth-facing, compassionate world. Sometimes adversity is beautiful. Punch is like that. I fought for 15 years to bring the story into the light. Magnificent cast and crew wrestled the film from between the jaws of Covid-19 and the country that I love unfolded a breathtaking landscape.”
Ings adds: “Punch is really the story of anybody who has fought to find their place in the world, even when this means losing the things that keep you safe.”
Punch received its world premiere at the Whānau Mārama New Zealand International Film Festival 2022 this past weekend. It will screen in 14 centres around New Zealand as part of the festival in the lead-up to its nationwide cinema release on September 8th, 2022.
Punch is produced by Catherine Fitzgerald (Coming Home in the Dark, Bellbird) of Blueskin Films, and Robin Murphy (Lowdown Dirty Criminals, Births, Deaths and Marriages) for Robin Murphy Productions. The film is made with investment from The New Zealand Film Commission, and the New Zealand Government’s Screen Production Grant and Screen Production Recovery Fund. Punch is distributed byVendetta Films in New Zealand and Australia with international sales by The Yellow Affair.
SPRING CITY PRESENTS GROOVE ARMADA LIVE
One of the globe's biggest electronic dance acts GROOVE ARMADA will be touring their full live band experience across New Zealand this Spring as part of their 25 Years farewell tour. The 4 date tour will feature performances at QEII PARK in CHRISTCHURCH on THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24 2022, CHURCH ROAD WINERY in NAPIER on FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25 2022, and TSB ARENA, WELLINGTON on SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27 2022. The Auckland performance on SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26 2022 will see Groove Armada headlining the return of the SPRING CITY MUSIC FESTIVAL, taking place at the stunning AUCKLAND DOMAIN.
For over two decades GROOVE ARMADA has been established as one of the planet's best loved and biggest selling dance acts. Since debuting in 1997, they’ve proved that it’s possible to bravely explore a multitude of sounds while achieving critical and commercial success. It’s a trait that is apparent within a selection of their best loved songs. From the dancehall dub of ‘Superstylin’ to the crossover pop of ‘Song 4 Mutya (Out of Control)’ and from the dancefloor-igniting ‘I See You Baby’ to the woozy sunset vibes of ‘At The River’, Groove Armada have consistently and uncompromisingly followed their own vision.
What the duo - Tom Findlay and Andy Cato - have achieved must’ve seemed unthinkable when they first met at university back in the nineties: three UK Top 10 albums; three Grammy nominations; a BRIT nomination; and a succession of hit singles that are still being discovered by new fans to this day. Despite having formed a quarter-of-a-century before streaming exploded, they still command the attention of almost two million monthly listeners at Spotify. They’ve also collaborated with or remixed countless high profile artists, notably Madonna, Paul Simon, Fatboy Slim, Calvin Harris, Neneh Cherry and Bryan Ferry.
Fans of Groove Armada can expect to experience the live show with the full band at each of the 4 shows, with support acts to be announced. The full Spring City Music festival lineup to be released at a later date.
ONEREPUBLIC ANNOUNCE ‘LIVE IN CONCERT’ NEW ZEALAND TOUR
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND, Monday July 25, 2022 – GRAMMY® nominated, multi-platinum selling band OneRepublic announce their return to New Zealand in 2023 for two shows in March 2023. The band will perform in Auckland on March 16, followed by Wellington on March 18. Special guest for OneRepublic’s New Zealand dates is hip-hop force Masked Wolf.
OneRepublic, fronted by the enigmatic Ryan Tedder, have provided some of the most memorable and successful pop hits of their generation, including chart and streaming smashes “Apologize”, “Stop and Stare”, “Rescue Me” and “Counting Stars”. The band has blasted back into global charts with their smash hit “I Ain’t Worried” which is featured in the blockbuster movie, Top Gun: Maverick. The video, directed by Isaac Rentz, includes stunning footage from the film. It has already chalked up more than 1.3 million streams in New Zealand.
Hailing from Australia, opening act Masked Wolf (aka, Harry Michael) is a passionate and powerful rapper and singer, having amassed over 2 billion streams and counting. Following the release of his hit songs "Speed Racer", "Night Rider" and "Water Walkin", he unveiled "Astronaut in the Ocean" which quickly incited millions of TikTok videos.
Live Nation pre-sale commences 11am on Wednesday, July 27, concluding at 11am on Friday, July 29.
General public tickets on sale Friday, July 29 at 12.00pm. For complete VIP, tour and ticket information, visit: livenation.co.nz
OneRepublic are riding high following the release of their 5th studio album Human. The album includes tracks which combined have over 2.5 billion global streams, “Run”, “Somebody To Love”, “Wanted”, “Didn’t I”, “Better Days” and “Rescue Me”, which has been certified RIAA Gold (US).
ONEREPUBLIC
NEW ZEALAND 2023
AUCKLAND, SPARK ARENA THURSDAY, MARCH 16
WELLINGTON, TSB ARENA SATURDAY, MARCH 18
PRE-SALE AND ON SALE TICKETING INFORMATION:
Live Nation pre-sale commences on Wednesday, July 27 at 11am, concluding at 11am on Friday, July 29.
General public tickets on sale Friday, July 29 at 12.00pm. For complete VIP, tour and ticket information, visit: livenation.co.nz
For complete tour, ticket and VIP Experience information, visit: livenation.co.nz
About OneRepublic
Grammy nominated OneRepublic, is comprised of singer/songwriter and lead vocalist Ryan Tedder, guitarists Zach Filkins and Drew Brown, keys Brian Willett, bassist and cellist Brent Kutzle, and drummer Eddie Fisher. The band released their debut set Dreaming Out Loud in 2007. The release included the 20mm selling smash single “Apologize,” which shattered digital sales and airplay records worldwide and received a Grammy nomination. The band’s sophomore album, 2009’s Waking Up, produced the hit singles “All the Right Moves,” “Secrets” and “Good Life.” The certified-platinum album Native followed in 2013, featuring the No.1 hit and 41 million selling single “Counting Stars.” OneRepublic released Oh My My, their fourth full-length album in 2016 and their latest album, Human, dropped on August 27, 2021. OneRepublic has amassed 35 billion global streams with 646 million of these streams coming from Australia. Album Naïve and single “Stop and Stare” have been certified Platinum by ARIA, “Rescue Me” is Double Platinum, “Something I Need” is 3 x Platinum with “Apologize” at 8 x Platinum and “Counting Stars” a massive 14 x Platinum.
JENNIFER CONNELLY AND BEN WHISHAW SET TO STAR IN ALICE ENGLERT’S ‘BAD BEHAVIOUR’
Academy Award winner Jennifer Connelly is set to star with BAFTA Award Winner Ben Whishaw in BAD BEHAVIOUR, Australian/New Zealand actress and filmmaker Alice Englert’s directorial debut. The film is a dark comedy about Lucy (Connelly), a former child actress who seeks enlightenment at a retreat led by spiritual leader Elon (Whishaw) while she also navigates the close yet turbulent relationship with her stunt performer daughter, Dylan (Englert).
Connelly can currently be seen starring in TOP GUN 2: MAVERICK opposite Tom Cruise. The blockbuster premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May, opening in theatres Friday, May 27th and has broken records grossing over $1 billion worldwide.
Whishaw can most recently be seen in the lead role of Adam Kay's hit TV series adaptation of THIS IS GOING TO HURT and in the reprise of his role as “Q" in the hugely anticipated James Bond blockbuster NO TIME TO DIE.
Supporting cast includes New Zealand’s own Ana Scotney, who most recently starred in the Berlin and SXSW premiering drama comedy MILLIE LIES LOW, SAG Award®- winning actress Dasha Nekrasova (SUCCESSION) whose directorial debut, THE SCARY OF SIXTY FIRST, won Best First Feature at the Berlin Film Festival in 2021, Karan Gill (I MAY DESTROY YOU) and Marlon Williams (SWEET TOOTH).
Englert, who wrote the screenplay and is also directing the film, can most recently be seen in the Sundance 2022 premiering film YOU WON’T BE ALONE by Goran Stolevski and Starz's upcoming series reimagining DANGEROUS LIAISONS alongside Kosar Ali and Lesley Manville. She came on the scene in Sally Potter’s feature GINGER & ROSA and Britt Poulton and Dan Savage’s THEM THAT FOLLOW alongside Olivia Colman and Walton Goggin. Englert has also played in several acclaimed series such as Netflix’ show RATCHED, BBC series TOP OF THE LAKE and BBC One and Netflix’s THE SERPENT. As a filmmaker, Alice has made two shorts, THE BOYFRIEND GAME & FAMILY HAPPINESS, that have screened at premiere festivals around the world including Berlin, Toronto, MIFF and BFI London. THE BOYFRIEND GAME also won her a writing award at Melbourne’s St Kilda and was featured on Vimeo’s “Staff Picks."
BAD BEHAVIOUR is produced by Desray Armstrong and Molly Hallam, and executive produced by Stephen Braun of Bee-Hive Productions. The independent film's production is financed with funds from the New Zealand Film Commission, the New Zealand Screen Production Grant, Fulcrum Media Finance and Bee-Hive Productions with additional support from AHI Films and Images&Sound. CAA and Verve Ventures will co-represent the sale of North America with Protagonist Pictures handling ROW sales. AHI Films will distribute theatrically in Australia and New Zealand.
Connelly is repped by CAA, RMS and The Lede Company; Whishaw by CAA, Hamilton & Hodell, Peikoff Mahan and CLD Communications; Englert by CAA, Hamilton & Hodell, HLA Management, United Management and Narrative PR; Scotney is repped by Gail Cowan Management and MGMT Entertainment; Nekrasova by Gersh, Management 360, ID and Gochman Law Group; Gill by Grandview and The Artists Partnership; Williams by CAA and Heartstop Music. Bee-Hive Productions is represented by Verve.
TRAILER RELEASED FOR MURU A RESPONSE TO THE TŪHOE RAIDS
FROM WRITER AND DIRECTOR TEAREPA KAHI, MURU WILL RELEASE IN NATIONWIDE CINEMAS ON SEPTEMBER 1ST
On the eve of Matariki, the trailer for new action-drama film Muru has today been unveiled ahead of its nationwide general release on September 1st, 2022. From award-winning writer and director Tearepa Kahi (Poi E: The Story of our Song, Mt. Zion), world renowned actor Cliff Curtis and artist Tame Iti, the film is a response to the 2007 Tūhoe raids. Muru is a Māori concept for reconciliation and forgiveness. The film has today been announced to open the Whānau Mārama: New Zealand International Film Festival on July 28th at Auckland’s The Civic.
Filmed in Te Urewera and Rūātoki, Muru stars Cliff Curtis (The Dark Horse, Avatar 2), Jay Ryan (IT Chapter Two, The Furnace), Manu Bennett (The Hobbit trilogy) and Simone Kessell (Obi-Wan Kenobi). Support cast includes Ria Te Uira Paki (The Dead Lands), Roimata Fox (Waru), Poroaki Merritt-McDonald (Savage) and Tame Iti as himself.
Tearepa Kahi’s previous feature films Mt. Zion and Poi E: The Story of our Song both set local box office records. Kahi commented: “Working alongside Cliff and our incredible cast, in Tame’s backyard, in Tame’s native tongue, was a shared dream we’ve been working on for a long time. I’m hopeful that national recognition of Matariki, a month-long commitment to Reo Māori through Mahuru Māōri, means we’re ready as Aotearoa to open ourselves to a film like Muru."
Lead producer Reikura Kahi (Poi E: The Story of our Song) said Muru is a powerful and revealing te reo Māori language film with strong performances from a dream cast: “Muru is not a re-creation of the events, but a story which weaves the deep past and the recent present together, in order to reach a place, we deserve now more than ever.”
Lead actor and executive producer Cliff Curtis added: “My movies in Hollywood are for the most part entertainment. But at home in Aotearoa, every few years I am privileged to work with story weavers like Tearepa and Reikura Kahi to make cinema such as Muru that is profound, heartfelt and meaningful. This film is a work of love, conflict and forgiveness. See it. Discuss it. Share it.”
NZIFF General Manager Sally Woodfield said “Whānau Mārama: New Zealand International Film Festival is extremely proud to open our 2022 festival with the World Premiere of Tearepa Kahi’s te reo Māori film Muru. It’s incredibly special for the festival to celebrate its return to Auckland’s The Civic by presenting this powerful retelling of such a significant episode of Aotearoa’s history and we can’t wait to bring the film to festival audiences around the country.”
Kahi worked with cinematographer Fred Renata (Poi E: The Story of our Song, Mt. Zion), Academy Award winning editor John Gilbert (Hacksaw Ridge, The Lord of the Rings) and composer Mahuia Bridgman-Cooper (Shadow in the Cloud) to bring Muru to life. Reikura Kahi is the lead producer, alongside producers Selina Joe and Tame Iti.
Muru is the first feature film to be funded under Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga - New Zealand Film Commission’s He Pounamu Te Reo Māori Feature Film Fund. NZFC Pouwhakahaere Te O Kahurangi Waaka says: “Muru is a significant film in many ways. Firstly, as the first film to be supported through Te Rautaki Māori’s He Pounamu Te Reo Māori Feature Film Initiative. Secondly, it is another signature film for writer/director Terepa Kahi, his producer wife Reikura and their creative team. Thirdly, it is also very important as a film that supports the Iwi of Tūhoe, acting as a response to and insight into the traumatic impact of the police actions on their communities. A stellar cast of experienced and emerging Māori and te reo talent ably share the Iwi perspective on the events.”
The film was made with additional investment from Arclight Films International, Te Māngai Pāho, NZ On Air/Irirangi Te Motu, Three, Imagezone and Images & Sound. Muru is being distributed in New Zealand and Australia by Rialto Distribution, with Arclight Films International handling rest of world sales.
Muru is confirmed to open the Whānau Mārama New Zealand International Film Festival in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin, with a special screening in Whakatāne, ahead of its nationwide general release on September 1st 2022.
LIVE NATION & SECRET SOUNDS PRESENT CONAN GRAY
Live Nation & Secret Sounds have today announced that platinum-selling singer songwriter Conan Gray will be heading to New Zealand for a show at Auckland’s Spark Arena on November 13. The tour will see the Gen-Z pop-king visit Aotearoa for the first time ever, with a host of new tracks from his hugely anticipated new album Superache under his Valentino belt.
Tickets for all shows go on sale at 9am, Monday June 27 through livenation.co.nz.
Conan Gray fan club members can be among the first to secure tickets during an exclusive presale starting at 9am, Tuesday June 21.
My Live Nation & Secret Sounds members can secure tickets during the exclusive presale beginning at 9am, Wednesday June 22.
Since releasing original demos on his YouTube channel at the age of 15, Conan Gray has emerged as one of the most distinguished pop stars of his generation. Gray released his debut album Kid Krow in 2020, reaching #5 on the Billboard 200 and #1 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart. The record became the biggest new artist debut of the year, and spawned global platinum hits Maniac and Heather, the latter of which saw Sir Elton John publicly praise Gray for being the only artist on the Spotify Top 50 to have written the song entirely on their own. Sir Elton John is not the only one providing acclaim, with Gray also receiving unanimous support from leading tastemakers including Vogue, GQ, V Man, Paper, The FADER, Billboard, NPR, MTV, i-D, Wonderland, Clash and Notion.
Conan Gray has entranced audiences with his impressive stage presence with standout appearances including Late Night with Seth Myers, The Late Late Show with James Corden, The Today Show and finally, his breathtakingly beautiful set at Coachella 2022. Gray recently wrapped up his sold-out Conan Gray World Tour and is now ready to take Superache on the road.
Anxiously anticipated by fans, Gray’s sophomore album Superache is set to be released alongside tickets to the Auckland show on Monday June 27, and promises to be as unflinchingly authentic and original as ever. The record features cathartic single Memories which has already amassed over 32 million Spotify streams and 5.6 million YouTube views on the music video since it dropped in April. Memories incited critical acclaim with The FADER dubbing it one of the “10 songs you need in your like this week”. Gray followed the track with his most recent release Yours proving that Superache will see Conan Gray reach another creative stratosphere all together.
Eleven out of the twelve Superache tracks are produced and co-written by Hot 100 Producer of the Year and longtime collaborator Dan Nigro; The Exit, People Watching and Disaster’are co-written by fellow pop sensation Julia Michaels; while Cirkut (The Weekend, Katy Perry, Ava Max) produced Disaster, which was mixed by Serban and Mitch McCarthy (Olivia Rodrigo).
Beyond music, Gray has recently caused a stir in the world of high fashion, making his Met Gala debut in a stunning Valentino look. He also boasted a custom hot pink Valentino ensemble when he played Coachella. Don’t miss the now fashion and modern pop music icon when he performs for one night only in Auckland this November.
CONAN GRAY
SPARK ARENA, AUCKLAND
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 13
TICKETS ON SALE MONDAY JUNE 27, 9am
Artist presale: Tuesday June 21, 9am – Wednesday June 22, 8am
Live Nation / Secret Sounds presale: Wednesday June 22, 9am – Monday 27 June, 8am
For complete tour and ticket information, visit: conangray.com & livenation.co.nz
CRS & LIVE NATION PRESENT GEORGE EZRA
CRS & Live Nation have today announced that British award-winning, multi-platinum selling musician George Ezra is returning to New Zealand for one show, headlining Auckland’s Spark Arena on October 25th.
Tickets go on sale at 12pm Monday, June 13 through livenation.co.nz. Vodafone customers can be among the first to secure tickets during an exclusive presale, starting at 12pm Wednesday, June 8. Head to vodafone.co.nz/music. My Live Nation members can secure tickets during the pre-sale beginning at 1pm Friday, June 10.
The announcement follows the release of Ezra’s brand new single Green Green Grass, the second single from his forthcoming album Gold Rush Kid. Kiwi fans will have the opportunity to see Ezra perform his third studio album live in Aotearoa in all its glory after its release on June 10.
Described as an irresistibly joyful song about making the best of things, the accompanying music video directed by Isaac Ravishankara stars actresses Amy Stoch (Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure) and Michele Matheson (Revenge of the Nerds 3). The song follows Anyone For You as the second single from Ezra in four years, since the release of his award-nominated and chart-topping sophomore album Staying at Tamara’s.
Ezra received critical acclaim for his two previous studio albums Wanted on Voyage and Staying at Tamara’s, both of which reached number 1 in the UK and sold millions around the world. The third single Shotgun from his second album earned him his first number 1, and secured him the 2019 Brit Award for British Male Solo Artist.
Ezra will play his biggest headline show to date in London this July with special guests Blossoms, Holly Humberstone, Mimi Webb, The Big Moon, Mychelle, and the London International Gospel Choir. The performance kicks off an 11-date UK arena tour, before Ezra travels down under to perform in Aotearoa.
Marking Ezra’s first live shows in almost three years, tickets for George Ezra’s New Zealand show will go quick. Fans can gain first dibs tickets in the Vodafone presale kicking off Wednesday June 8, or at the Live Nation presale on Friday June 10.
GEORGE EZRA
SPARK ARENA, AUCKLAND
TUESDAY OCTOBER 25
TICKETS ON SALE 12PM, MONDAY JUNE 13
Artist Fanclub / Spotify /
Vodafone presale: Wednesday June 8, 11am
Live Nation pre-sale: Friday June 10, 1pm – Monday June 13, 11am
For complete tour and ticket information, visit: georgeezra.com & livenation.co.nz
About Live Nation Entertainment
Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world’s leading live entertainment company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, and Live Nation Media & Sponsorship. For additional information, visit livenationentertainment.com.
NZ MUSIC T-SHIRT DAY RETURNS TO RAISE MONEY FOR MUSICHELPS IN 2022
NZ Music T-Shirt Day is back to raise funds for MusicHelps, a crucial charity providing support to Kiwi music workers who need it. New Zealander’s are encouraged to wear their favourite local music merch on Friday, 27th May, and make a donation to the appeal which has raised over $60,000 since it began in 2019.
MusicHelps supports those who use music to help New Zealanders in need. This year through its project partners it has made a difference to more than 70,000 people across Aotearoa who live with disability, serious health conditions or are at risk and vulnerable. This is all made possible by the commitment of MusicHelps supporters who see the difference music makes in New Zealanders lives.
“If you share our belief in the power of music, then it’s time to get on board and put your T-Shirt on! We’re encouraging businesses, who want to really drive their values of wellbeing, inclusion and a love of all things NZ music to get involved with MusicHelps” says Chair of MusicHelps, Anthony Healey.
Kervin Farr General Manager of MIX - Connecting Creating Living, a mental health community day service offering programmes in music therapy, art and wellbeing commented: “The support of MusicHelps is a critical resource for organisations like MIX, it allows us to provide programmes/activities that we otherwise would not be able to afford.”
The support MusicHelps provides extends to the very people that bring us the music we love. From singers to sound engineers, managers to musicians, MusicHelps has helped over 70,000 people in the local music community with mental health, counselling and financial services. The service is available to anyone involved in the Aotearoa music industry to ensure people are taken care of when they need it most, and does so through emergency grants, the MusicHelps benevolent fund, the Covid-19 financial relief payments, and it's wellbeing service, a 24/7 helpline providing urgent counselling services for music workers.
Musician Bella Cook (Belladonna) also commented: “Last year I was left with nothing after my house burnt down. One of my friends recommended me reaching out to MusicHelps, but I didn't expect their support to be so life changing. MusicHelps financially supported me to replace all the music gear I had lost in the fire. In an industry that can feel so isolating at times I felt so supported and cared for. I was able to get back up on my feet and making music in no time. I can't express how meaningful the backing from MusicHelps has meant to me.”
New Zealand Music T-Shirt Day is primed to become a favourite fundraising event during NZ Music Month. This year’s event will raise much needed funds for grants to those who use music to help and heal as well as support the music community with whatever challenge they might face into the future.
Gather your friends, whānau and workplace, create a team, spread the message, and donate by texting MUSIC to 2448 to donate $3.
A full list of kiwi bands and artists who are currently selling merchandise online, please head to: https://www.nzmusictshirtday.org.nz/t-shirts-and-merchandise
To create a team to raise money together, please head to: https://www.nzmusictshirtday.org.nz/
LIVE NATION & SECRET SOUNDS PRESENT TATE MCRAE
Live Nation and Secret Sounds are thrilled to announce that Canadian pop songstress Tate McRae will be playing her first ever New Zealand show in July 2022! Bringing her unparalleled dance moves and outstanding vocal ability to audiences across the country, Tate will perform a one-off show at Auckland’s Shed 10, hot on the heels of a world tour.
Tate McRae is an artist on a meteoric rise, with over 3.7 billion career streams, over 6.6 billion video views, a #1 Top 40 hit and multiple #1 dance hits at just 18 years old. The multi-platinum singer, songwriter and dancer was the youngest musician listed on Forbes 30 Under 30 List for 2021, was Apple’s Up Next Artist for 2021, Amazon’s Artist to Watch in 2021, made it on Pandora’s Artists To Watch 2021 list and was included on Billboard’s 21 Under 21 as well as People Magazine’s One’s To Watch List.
Tate was also named one of YouTube’s Artist on the Rise and MTV’s Push Artist for July 2020. More recently, she was nominated by People’s Choice Awards for The New Artist of 2021, a 2022 Billboard Music Award and three 2022 iHeart Radio Music Awards including Best New Pop Artist. Her #1 multiplatinum-selling single, ‘you broke me first’ has over 1.4 billion streams worldwide.
A master collaborator, Tate worked with Khalid on their track ‘working’, with DJ Regard and Troye Sivan on their #1 Dance hit ‘You’, blackbear on ‘u love u’ and Jeremy Zucker on her single ‘that way’. The young artist capped off 2021 with the release of ‘feel like shit’, which currently has nearly 90 million streams worldwide, and toured festivals such as Lollapalooza, Firefly Music Festival, Governor’s Ball, Austin City Limits, iHeart Radio’s Jingle Ball and more.
Tate has released two EPs, all the things i never said and TOO YOUNG TO BE SAD, and will hit our shores armed with her debut album, i used to think i could fly, set for release on 27 May. The album features previously released singles ‘chaotic’, ‘feel like shit’and ‘she’s all i wanna be’, which has over 150 million streams worldwide.
Tate’s New Zealand show comes straight after her North American Tour and headline dates in the UK and Europe. Don’t miss Tate McRae’s impressive live performance when she arrives down under for the very first time in July 2022 for an all-ages show.
Fans can gain access to first dibs tickets at the Artist Fanclub presale, kicking off on Wednesday 27 April, or at the Live Nation presale on Thursday 28 April.
TATE MCRAE
SHED 10, AUCKLAND
SUNDAY JULY 24
TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY APRIL 29, 9am
Artist Fanclub presale: Wednesday April 27, 9am
Live Nation presale: Thursday April 28, 9am
For complete tour and ticket information, please visit: tatemcrae.com & livenation.co.nz
About Live Nation Entertainment
Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world’s leading live entertainment company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, Live Nation Advertising & Sponsorship. For additional information, visit www.livenationentertainment.com.
PROJECT GENDER REVEALS RESULTS OF AOTEAROA ONLINE SEX AND DATING SURVEY
The results of Aotearoa Online Sex and Dating Survey released today by Project Gender show people over 50 are dating dangerously and loving it.
“How New Zealanders conduct our relationships has changed and it’s clear that technology has a key part to play in this change. 87% of people who sign up to dating apps actively go on dates. 72% of men report they are looking for casual sexual relationships i.e. “no strings attached” or “friends with benefits”, while only 46% of women are looking for the same” says Tania Domett, research director of Project Gender.
To understand the topic better and to help users protect themselves when they are dating online, Project Gender conducted a nationwide survey into people’s online dating habits to which 823 people responded.
“The Aotearoa Online Sex and Dating Survey shows that compared to the under 30s, the over 50s aren't being particularly cautious or reserved online, or when meeting in person”, continues Domett.
23% of straight women 50+ years ‘Rarely’ or 'Never’ tell people where they are going and why, compared to 7% of straight women under 30. Worryingly, they are not keeping on top of their sexual health with 42% (vs. 16% U30) of the over 50s stating they ‘Never’ use protection against STIs.
“However, 50+ years group are less likely to be pressure into doing something sexual they weren’t comfortable with, 80% saying they hadn’t vs. 64% of under 30s.” continues Domett.
The majority of men who use dating apps rate their sexual experiences with people they met on dating apps in the last 12 months as enjoyable - 62% of straight men and 58% of gay and bisexual men said most of the sex they had was enjoyable. This compares to 48% of lesbian and bisexual women and 45% of straight women.
Young people are being responsible with public, digital and STI safety.
49% of under 30 years (all genders and sexualities) “Always” tell someone where they are going and why on a first date, compared to just 26% of 50+ years (37% 30-39 and 31% 40 – 49), and young people are the group least likely to send an intimate photo - under 30s– 35% (vs. 51% of 40 – 49 and 49% 50+).
While the under 30s are more sussed about their public safety, they are engaging in rough/violent sex acts and not always consensually. Under 30s are twice as likely as over 30s to have been choked or suffocated during sex (43% vs. 22%), with around half (53%) “Always” giving consent for this to happen across all age groups.
“These figures show that the sex education messages young people are receiving about public safety, digital safety and STI protection are getting through. Even so, we are seeing high numbers of young heterosexual women experiencing sex acts like choking and suffocating, many of them non-consensually. These results show us that these young women perhaps don’t have the agency over their sexual experiences that us older feminists hoped they would have.” says Domett.
“The results also show older people need to be reminded about STI protection”.
URZILA CARLSON ANNOUNCES TWO NEW SHOWS FOR HER ‘IT’S PERSONAL’ TOUR
Award-winning and treasured Kiwi-South African comedian URZILA CARLSON has today announced two new shows in Auckland and Tauranga for her It’s Personal tour, set to kick off in October.
With nine shows already on the roster, fans across the country will have the opportunity to see Urzila at her best when she visits Hamilton, Auckland, Whangarei, Tauranga, Wellington, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Hawkes Bay and Christchurch in October and November.
Urzila returns to the New Zealand stage after a stellar performance at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Selling an astonishing 30,000 tickets across her 24 show run, she took out the People’s Choice Award for the second time, proving that she’s a still force to be reckoned with on the international comedy scene.
My Live Nation members can be among the first to secure tickets during the pre-sale period starting 12pm, Tuesday May 24.
Tickets go on sale at 1pm, Thursday May 26.
For complete details, visit: livenation.co.nz
Welcome to the days of mind your own business and don’t comment on others business. Not their gender, sexuality, body, hair, education or career. Also, welcome to the days of total oversharing on social media, but STILL, mind your own business. We want to talk about things and want everyone to know IT’S PERSONAL! This is a show about keeping your cards close to your chest but walking around naked. Can we have it all? Yes, but also bloody no, but also it’s none of your business because IT’S PERSONAL.
It’s Personal arrives hot on the heels of Urzila’s NETFLIX hour-long comedy special Overqualified Loser, recorded in Melbourne in December 2019. On top of her taking out the top honour at the 2022 Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Urzila also cleaned up in 2019, taking out the MICF People’s Choice Award for most tickets sold across the festival.
Carlson is a much-loved staple on TVNZ’s smash-hit panel show, Have You Been Paying Attention?, and is a regular on the Australian edition of the show. She was recently announced as a contestant on the second season of Taskmaster NZ, and appears as a regular panellist on 7 Days.
Urzila sells out her seasons in NZ and Australia, and the awards stack up year after year. Most recently, she was awarded the 2019 Rielly Comedy Award by the Variety Artists Club of NZ. Urzila has won the NZ Comedy Guild’s Best Female Comedian award six times, as well as the coveted People’s Choice Award at the NZ International Comedy Festival two years in a row. In 2018, she was a nominee for Australia’s Helpmann Award for Best Comedy Performer, and she took out the 2017 Sydney Comedy Festival’s Director’s Choice Award.
Buy soon, buy quick. The proof is in the pudding. Carlson is a guaranteed sell-out - catch her while you can.
“Effortlessly likeable... stream of belly-laughs.” - The Age
“Carlson is a gifted and accomplished comedian - an absolute must-see.” - Appetite for the Arts
“Belly laughs and guffaws aplenty.” ★★★★★ - The Music
URZILA CARLSON
It’s Personal – New Zealand 2022
CAPITAINE BOUGAINVILLE THEATRE, WHANGAREI WEDNESDAY, OCT 12
CLARENCE ST. THEATRE, HAMILTON FRIDAY, OCT 14
CLARENCE ST. THEATRE, HAMILTON SATURDAY, OCT 15
BRUCE MASON CENTRE, AUCKLAND *NEW SHOW FRIDAY, OCT 21
BRUCE MASON CENTRE, AUCKLAND *SOLD OUT SATURDAY, OCT 22
ADDISON THEATRE, TAURANGA *SOLD OUT SATURDAY, OCT 29
ADDISON THEATRE, TAURANGA *NEW SHOW SUNDAY, OCT 30
TSB THEATRE, NEW PLYMOUTH SATURDAY, NOV 5
THE REGENT ON BROADWAY, PALMERSTON NORTH SUNDAY, NOV 6
ISAAC THEATRE ROYAL, CHRISTCHURCH SATURDAY, NOV 12
OPERA HOUSE, WELLINGTON SATURDAY, NOV 19
TICKETS ON SALE 1PM, THURSDAY MAY 26
For complete tour and ticket information, visit:
urzilacarlson.com & livenation.co.nz
INSTAGRAM - @urzilacarlson
TWITTER - @UrzilaCarlson
FACEBOOK - @UrzilaCarlsonComedian
About Live Nation Entertainment
Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world’s leading live entertainment company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, Live Nation Advertising & Sponsorship and Artist Nation Management. For additional information, visit www.livenationentertainment.com.
GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY SET TO BECOME THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL PRODUCTION TO RETURN TO THE CIVIC SINCE 2020
THE CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED LONDON AND BROADWAY MUSICAL FEATURING THE SONGS OF BOB DYLAN WILL KICK OFF IN AUCKLAND, FOLLOWED BY A SEASON AT WELLINGTON’S OPERA HOUSE
International musical theatre is set to return to Aotearoa New Zealand at full capacity this June with the critically acclaimed Girl from the North Country announced to play Auckland’s The Civic and Wellington’s The Opera House. Opening Auckland on June 30th, Girl from the North Country signals the triumphant return of international productions to New Zealand stages.
Girl From the North Country is one of the most award-winning productions of the twenty-first century. This modern masterpiece features the music of Bob Dylan, who in an interview with the New York Times, spoke of seeing the show:
“I saw it as an anonymous spectator, not as someone who had anything to do with it, I just let it happen. The play had me crying at the end. I can’t even say why. When the curtain came down, I was stunned. I really was.”
Set in 1934 Minnesota, Girl from the North Country centres on a community living on a knife-edge in the local guesthouse and features over 20 of Dylan’s songs from across his career, performed as roof-raising ensemble pieces through to soul-stirring solos. The soundtrack features hits including 1965’s ‘Like a Rolling Stone’ through to 2012’s ‘Duquesne Whistle’ plus ‘Forever Young’, ‘Hurricane’, ‘I Want You’, ‘Slow Train Coming’, ‘You Ain’t Going Nowhere’ and ‘Tight Connection To My Heart’ – all beautifully reimagined and woven through the story.
Auckland Mayor Phil Goff says:
“After more than two years with the nation’s borders closed to protect New Zealanders from Covid-19 it’s fantastic to welcome major international events such as Girl from the North Country back to Auckland.
“This internationally acclaimed production will draw visitors to our city centre, providing a boost to hospitality businesses that have been impacted by the pandemic and lockdowns.
“Hosting an international production of this calibre is an encouraging sign of Auckland’s recovery and we look forward to welcoming more such events to Auckland as we continue to reopen to the world.”
Wellington Mayor Andy Foster adds:
“It’s great news for arts lovers, a special treat for Dylan fans and a story I’m really looking forward to seeing, as I’m sure thousands of others will be too.
“It is also more great news for hospitality, accommodation and retail sectors impacted by the pandemic. The times really are a-changin’ – changin’ for the better in the Capital.”
Written and directed by celebrated Irish playwright Conor McPherson, Girl from the North Country has taken the theatrical world by storm, selling out seasons in the West End, Toronto, and on Broadway. This critically acclaimed musical will arrive in New Zealand direct from a stellar run across Australia including seasons in Sydney, Adelaide, and Melbourne.
Girl from the North Country features an international cast including Lisa McCune, Peter Kowitz and Helpmann Award winners Helen Dallimore, Greg Stone, Christina O’Neill and Peter Carroll, alongside Elijah Williams, Chemon Theys, Terence Crawford, Grant Piro, Elizabeth Hay, Blake Erickson and James Smith. They are accompanied by a brilliant on-stage band led by Andrew Ross. Girl from the North Country was produced in London by Tristan Baker and Charlie Parsons for Runaway Entertainment, Steven Lappin, Sony Music Entertainment UK, David Mirvish, and The Old Vic.
‘NO.1 THEATRE SHOW OF THE YEAR’ – THE OBSERVER
Listen to the Broadway cast recording of Girl from the North Country on Spotify HERE.
Tickets for Girl from the North Country start at $59* and go on sale from 9 am on Thursday 5 May at Ticketmaster.
Girl from the North Country plays:
AUCKLAND
Thu 30 June - Sat 16 July | The Civic
$59 - $149*
More info: aucklandlive.co.nz/show/girl-from-the-north-country
WELLINGTON
From July 21| Opera House
$59 - $149*
More info: https://www.ticketmaster.co.nz/girl-from-the-north-country-the-opera-house-wellington-wellington-tickets/venueartist/295634/2302818