HAMILTON will make its New Zealand debut for a strictly limited season at Spark Arena in Tāmaki Makaurau - Auckland in May 2023.
Producers Jeffrey Seller and Michael Cassel Group are proud to announce the Tony®, Grammy®, Olivier and Pulitzer Prize-winning production will begin its first ever international tour in Aotearoa, direct from a stellar run across Australia.
Presale tickets will go on sale on Wednesday, November 30 at 11am with General On Sale Tickets available on Monday, December 5 at 12pm.
“Australia has embraced Hamilton with an enthusiasm we could never have imagined,” Hamilton Producer Jeffrey Seller said. “Now it is time for our sensational Australian cast to continue their success in the southern hemisphere when the show premieres in New Zealand.”
“After the huge success Hamilton enjoyed in Australia it is only natural that we should now turn our attention to our friends in New Zealand and share this incredible production which is musical theatre at its most innovative, original and transformative best,” Hamilton’s Australasian producer Michael Cassel said.
The New Zealand engagement is presented at Spark Arena by TEG Live with tickets on sale on December 5 at 12pm only through Ticketmaster. Join the TEGLIVE waitlist here.
“TEG Live is very proud to be partnering with Michael Cassel Group to present this extraordinary production in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. Hamilton is sheer brilliance on stage and not to be missed!” Geoff Jones, Chief Executive Officer, TEG said.
HAMILTON premiered on Broadway in August 2015 to wide critical and audience acclaim. The show has won Tony®, Grammy®, and Olivier Awards and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway, HAMILTON has taken the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton and created a revolutionary moment in theatre – a musical that has had a profound impact on culture, politics and education.
With book, music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, direction by Thomas Kail, choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler and musical supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire, HAMILTON is based on Ron Chernow’s acclaimed biography.
The HAMILTON creative team previously collaborated on the 2008 Tony Award-winning Best Musical In the Heights.
Scenic design is by David Korins, costume design by Paul Tazewell, lighting design by Howell Binkley, sound design by Nevin Steinberg, hair and wig design by Charles G. LaPointe.
The Australian production of HAMILTON is produced by Jeffrey Seller, Sander Jacobs, Jill Furman, The Public Theater and Michael Cassel.
AWARD-WINNING A CAPPELLA GROUP PENTATONIX ANNOUNCE AUCKLAND SHOW FOR 2023
AUCKLAND, NZ (November 15, 2022) – Live Nation has today announced that three-time Grammy-Award winning a cappella group Pentatonix will return to New Zealand for the Pentatonix: The World Tour in 2023, performing at Auckland’s Spark Arena on March 28.
Tickets for all shows go on sale at 12pm, Friday November 18.
My Live Nation members can secure tickets during the exclusive presale beginning at 11am, Thursday November 17.
For complete tour, ticket and VIP experience information, visit: livenation.co.nz
As one of the most innovative vocal groups of all time, Pentatonix reimagine and redefine a cappella. Since emerging in 2011, the three-time GRAMMY® Award-winning and Daytime EMMY® Award-nominated vocal quintet — Scott Hoying, Mitch Grassi, Kirstin Maldonado, Kevin Olusola, and Matt Sallee — have reached unprecedented heights, topping charts, selling 10 million albums worldwide, generating billions of streams, and performing all over the world.
Their catalog boasts back-to-back #1 albums on the Billboard 200, namely the gold-certified Pentatonix and platinum-certified A Pentatonix Christmas. The albums have performed internationally with five albums ranking in the top 40 albums six times in New Zealand. Their single Hallelujah was met with international acclaim as a platinum-certified single in Canada and gold-certified in Germany and Switzerland. They notably made history as “the first a cappella act to win ‘Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella’ at the GRAMMY® Awards” in 2015 and 2016. A year later, they earned another GRAMMY® Award in the category “Best Country Duo/Group Performance” for their duet with Dolly Parton on her song Jolene.
Pentatonix most recently released their sixth holiday album, Holidays Around The World, via RCA Records, featuring the single Prayers For This World and Kid on Christmas with Meghan Trainor. The record consists of stunning renditions of seasonal staples as well as show-stopping original international collaborations, living up to the promise of its title and speaking to audiences around the globe.
Pentatonix will premiere Pentatonix: Around the World for the Holidays, streaming exclusively on Disney+ on December 2. The group, already having attracted 26 million viewers during their previous nationally televised programs, are back on the screen in this groundbreaking cinematic music experience. The special utilizes pioneering XR and AR Visual Technologies to tell a different holiday tale highlighted by a heartfelt script, riveting acting, and, of course, heavenly performances. It follows the group as they seek inspiration for their annual holiday LP after their manager accidentally locks them in an enchanted mailroom. Thanks to a little old-fashioned Disney magic, they traverse the globe to uncover new holiday traditions and gleam inspiration directly from listeners.
Along the way, the collective also graced hundreds of stages, have performed for fans and notable faces, and collaborated with musical icons including Kelly Clarkson, Dolly Parton, Miley Cyrus and Lindsey Stirling. Pentatonix leapt onto the big screen with a cameo in the blockbuster Pitch Perfect 2. Following the 2021 album Evergreen, which tallied over 100 million streams, they launched one of their biggest tours to date, Pentatonix: The Evergreen Christmas Tour. In 2022, it was announced that the group will be receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
There’s no better time to see Pentatonix as they reach their highest peak yet. Don’t miss out as they return to Aotearoa for the first time since 2020, with tickets on sale from Friday, November 18.
PENTATONIX
THE WORLD TOUR
SPARK ARENA, AUCKLAND TUESDAY MARCH 28
TICKETS ON SALE 12PM FRIDAY NOVEMBER 18
Live Nation presale: Thursday Nov 17, 11am - Friday Nov 18, 11am
THE DAY THE MUSIC DIED: 50TH ANNIVERSARY “AMERICAN PIE” NEW ZEALAND TOUR
Grammy-Award honouree, Songwriters Hall of Fame member, and BBC Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Don McLean will be bringing his American Pie 50th Anniversary Tour to New Zealand in 2023. Celebrating the 50th anniversary of one of the most iconic songs and album ever this year, McLean will entertain fans across the country, proving that “bye-bye, Miss American Pie” will forever remain a classic staple in music.
“I am thrilled to be getting back to New Zealand with my band,” says Don McLean. “2022 marks the 50th anniversary from when American Pie landed at the No. 1 spot on the Billboard chart, and we will be celebrating. We’ll be performing songs from the American Pie album plus many of the other hits that fans will be expecting to hear.”
As tragic as the backstory behind the song "American Pie" is with the much too early death of the new rock’n’roll-hope Buddy Holly, the track is also magnificent and legendary. And “American Pie” still goes to heart as soon as originator Don McLean plays this classic at his concerts. Still, it’s worth remembering that the 76-year-old composer has written and sung numerous other melodic and harmonic successes in his decades-long career with “Vincent (Starry Starry Night),” “Castles in the Air,” “And I Love You So,” and “Cryin’,” all of which will be heard and reveled in along with newer pieces on the upcoming tour. Earlier this year in March, McLean celebrated the 50th Anniversary of ‘Vincent (Starry, Starry Night)” by releasing an intimate performance that was recorded at the Immersive VanGogh Exhibit.
The eight-and-a-half-minute ballad “American Pie” has been making history since its release in 1971. Alongside songs by other icons such as Bing Crosby, Judy Garland, Woody Guthrie, and Aretha Franklin, McLean’s composition was also voted “Song of the 20th Century”. Handwritten lyrics to the song were auctioned off for more than $1.2 million in 2015, and the composition was added to the Library Of Congress National Recording Registry two years later. Here, you’ll only find a few selected evergreens, such as “Somewhere Over The Rainbow”. So much for the cultural significance of Don McLean and his 1971 stroke of genius!
Over the years, the song has been covered again and again by music icons like Madonna and Garth Brooks. Rapper Drake repeatedly sampled McLean tunes and hip-hop icon Tupac Shakur also cited him as an important influence.
Accordingly, the complete discography of the legendary and still active singer/songwriter is also significant. Among other things, Don McLean has a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame and was inducted into the National Academy of Popular Music Songwriters’ Hall Of Fame in 2004.
And he never gets tired of writing new songs and new stories. In 2018, the sound senior released his 19th studio album, ‘Botanical Gardens’ which received rave reviews. Songs from it subsequently proved themselves live and will maybe even find their way into the setlist next year, alongside “American Pie” and all the other feats from this decades-spanning and unparalleled composition and performance career.
50TH ANNIVERSARY "AMERICAN PIE" NEW ZEALAND TOUR DATES 2023:
Tuesday 2 May - Trafalgar Centre, Nelson
Thursday 4 May - Civic Theatre, Invercargill
Friday 5 May - Town Hall, Christchurch
Sunday 7 May - Regent Theatre, Palmerston North
Tuesday 9 May - Town Hall, Auckland
Tickets on sale Friday 11 November at 9.00am local time
Tickets are available at:
oneworldentertainment.co.nz
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL MAKES A TRIUMPHANT RETURN TO THE STAGE WITH THEIR FIRST EVER ACROBATIC PERFORMANCE ON ICE TOURING NEW ZEALAND IN 2023
Cirque du Soleil’s CRYSTAL – A Breakthrough Ice Experience
announces its New Zealand debut for a strictly limited season!
Featuring seven traditional circus acts including Trapeze, Banquine, Pendular Poles and Aerial Straps – all on ice!
Cirque du Soleil’s CRYSTAL – a one-of-a-kind production that brings the circus arts to the ice for the very first time premieres in Christchurch on Friday 16th June at Horncastle Arena. This spectacular show will travel nationally from Christchurch to finish at Auckland’s Spark Arena in July. Tickets will go on sale to the general public from Wednesday 16th November 2022.
In addition to seven of the gravity-defying traditional circus disciplines, the production also features traditional figure skating and extreme skating – two disciplines that have never been seen before in a Cirque du Soleil production.
Thrilling more than 1.8 million people worldwide since its creation in 2017, CRYSTAL blends the art of skating with adrenaline-inducing acrobatics and aerial feats. The show takes audiences on a whimsical journey into a vivid and imaginary world where up is down, left is right, and nothing is as it seems.
“CRYSTAL is a show full of “firsts” for Cirque du Soleil, and it has really helped shift our perspective on the interesting ways that the circus arts continue to evolve,” says Robert Tannion, CRYSTAL’s Artistic Director.
“The performance itself is all about perspective – how we see ourselves is a direct reflection of how we see the world. It’s a magical story that springs to life on the ice and we can’t wait to bring it to New Zealand in 2023.”
Geoff Jones, TEG CEO said, "It's no secret that Australians love Cirque Du Soleil. We are thrilled to continue our long standing relationship with this incredible organisation. It’s a privilege to work with such a talented group of people who embrace boundless creativity. We know Aussie fans will be blown away by Crystal. This show is everything that you love about Cirque Du Soleil and so much more. We look forward to bringing Crystal to Australia and know it will create beautiful memories for those who are lucky enough to see it”.
About CRYSTAL
Created by Shana Carroll and Sebastien Soldevila, CRYSTAL takes audiences on an exhilarating journey of self-discovery full of whimsy and wonder. Feel your adrenaline soar as you dive into a world of playful imagination with the show’s protagonist, Crystal, as she becomes who she was always destined to be – herself.
Using astounding on-ice visual projections and a soundtrack that seamlessly blends popular music with the signature sound of Cirque du Soleil, CRYSTAL transports audiences on a visual and auditory acrobatic experience that’s suitable for all ages.
Fun Facts
CRYSTAL is Cirque du Soleil’s 42nd creation and the company’s very first acrobatic experience on ice.
Since its creation in 2017, the show has toured to over 115 cities in 12 different countries including Canada, the US, UK, Mexico, France, Germany, and more!
This one-of-a-kind performance features seven traditional circus acts including trapeze, hand-to-hand, Banquine, aerial straps, hand-to-trapeze, juggling, and hand balancing – all performed on ice!
The CRYSTAL team makes approximately 300 real snowballs each week to use during pre-show animation.
CRYSTAL is Cirque du Soleil’s first and only touring show to incorporate multiple remastered pop songs into the soundtrack of a show – Beyoncé’s Halo, U2’s Beautiful Day, Nina Simone’s Sinnerman, and Sia’s Chandelier.
The show travels with 80 pairs of skates (both hockey and figure skates) and each artist wears up to 4 pairs per show!
CRYSTAL is suitable for all ages.
Tickets for CRYSTAL are now available exclusively to Cirque Club members. Cirque Club membership is free and includes access to advance tickets and special offers. To join, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com.
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL MAKES A TRIUMPHANT RETURN TO THE STAGE WITH THEIR FIRST EVER ACROBATIC PERFORMANCE ON ICE TOURING NEW ZEALAND IN 2023
Cirque du Soleil’s CRYSTAL – A Breakthrough Ice Experience
announces its New Zealand debut for a strictly limited season!
Featuring seven traditional circus acts including Trapeze, Banquine, Pendular Poles and Aerial Straps – all on ice!
Cirque du Soleil’s CRYSTAL – a one-of-a-kind production that brings the circus arts to the ice for the very first time premieres in Christchurch on Friday 16th June at Horncastle Arena. This spectacular show will travel nationally from Christchurch to finish at Auckland’s Spark Arena in July. Tickets will go on sale to the general public from Wednesday 16th November 2022.
In addition to seven of the gravity-defying traditional circus disciplines, the production also features traditional figure skating and extreme skating – two disciplines that have never been seen before in a Cirque du Soleil production.
Thrilling more than 1.8 million people worldwide since its creation in 2017, CRYSTAL blends the art of skating with adrenaline-inducing acrobatics and aerial feats. The show takes audiences on a whimsical journey into a vivid and imaginary world where up is down, left is right, and nothing is as it seems.
“CRYSTAL is a show full of “firsts” for Cirque du Soleil, and it has really helped shift our perspective on the interesting ways that the circus arts continue to evolve,” says Robert Tannion, CRYSTAL’s Artistic Director.
“The performance itself is all about perspective – how we see ourselves is a direct reflection of how we see the world. It’s a magical story that springs to life on the ice and we can’t wait to bring it to New Zealand in 2023.”
Geoff Jones, TEG CEO said, "It's no secret that Australians love Cirque Du Soleil. We are thrilled to continue our long standing relationship with this incredible organisation. It’s a privilege to work with such a talented group of people who embrace boundless creativity. We know Aussie fans will be blown away by Crystal. This show is everything that you love about Cirque Du Soleil and so much more. We look forward to bringing Crystal to Australia and know it will create beautiful memories for those who are lucky enough to see it”.
About CRYSTAL
Created by Shana Carroll and Sebastien Soldevila, CRYSTAL takes audiences on an exhilarating journey of self-discovery full of whimsy and wonder. Feel your adrenaline soar as you dive into a world of playful imagination with the show’s protagonist, Crystal, as she becomes who she was always destined to be – herself.
Using astounding on-ice visual projections and a soundtrack that seamlessly blends popular music with the signature sound of Cirque du Soleil, CRYSTAL transports audiences on a visual and auditory acrobatic experience that’s suitable for all ages.
Fun Facts
CRYSTAL is Cirque du Soleil’s 42nd creation and the company’s very first acrobatic experience on ice.
Since its creation in 2017, the show has toured to over 115 cities in 12 different countries including Canada, the US, UK, Mexico, France, Germany, and more!
This one-of-a-kind performance features seven traditional circus acts including trapeze, hand-to-hand, Banquine, aerial straps, hand-to-trapeze, juggling, and hand balancing – all performed on ice!
The CRYSTAL team makes approximately 300 real snowballs each week to use during pre-show animation.
CRYSTAL is Cirque du Soleil’s first and only touring show to incorporate multiple remastered pop songs into the soundtrack of a show – Beyoncé’s Halo, U2’s Beautiful Day, Nina Simone’s Sinnerman, and Sia’s Chandelier.
The show travels with 80 pairs of skates (both hockey and figure skates) and each artist wears up to 4 pairs per show!
CRYSTAL is suitable for all ages.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
CHRISTCHURCH HORNCASTLE ARENA
FRI 16 JUNE 7:30
SAT 17 JUNE 4PM & 8PM
SUN 18 JUNE 1PM & 5PM
AUCKLAND SPARK ARENA
TUE 4, WED 5, THU 6, FRI 7 JULY 7:30PM
SAT 8 JULY 4 & 8PM
SUN 9 JULY 1PM & 5PM
Tickets for CRYSTAL are now available exclusively to Cirque Club members. Cirque Club membership is free and includes access to advance tickets and special offers. To join, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com.
JIM STEINMAN’S 'BAT OUT OF HELL' TO PLAY SPARK ARENA THIS JANUARY
★★★★★ DAILY EXPRESS
★★★★★ ‘LOUD, EXHILARATING AND BLOWS YOUR SOCKS OFF’ - THE INDEPENDENT
GUARANTEED TO TAP INTO EVERY PLAYGOER’S INNER ROCK GOD - THE NEW YORK TIMES
The producers of Jim Steinman’s Bat Out of Hell, featuring Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf’s greatest hits, are delighted to announce this musical rock spectacular will play two special one off shows at Spark Arena on Sunday 22nd January 2023.
Direct from an international tour of Europe, Bat Out of Hell has wowed critics and public alike when it played seasons at Manchester Opera House, London Coliseum and London’s Dominion Theatre. The musical also ran successfully in Canada, Germany and at New York’s City Centre and continues to have a residency at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino.
Bat Out of Hell won the Radio 2 Audience Award for Best Musical at the Evening Standard Awards and was nominated for 8 WhatsOnStage Awards, including Best New Musical. It was announced in October 2022 that Bat Out of Hell was the UK’s biggest debut album and one of the best-selling albums in history, selling over 60 million copies worldwide. 16 years after the release of the original album Steinman scored again with Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell, which contained the massive hit I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That).
In this stage musical, the legendary and award-winning Jim Steinman has incorporated iconic songs from the Bat Out of Hell albums, including You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth (Hot Summer Night), Bat Out of Hell, I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That) and Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad, as well as two previously unreleased songs, What Part of My Body Hurts the Most and Not Allowed to Love.
Across two spectacular, high energy acts, the show tells the story of the Lost Boys and Girls who flee into the tunnels below the city from its ruler Falco. When his teenage daughter Raven locks eyes with fearless leader of the Lost, the immortal Strat, the immensity of their love-at-first-sight-obsessions threaten to destroy both of their families.
The International Tour of Bat Out of Hell has book, music and lyrics by Jim Steinman, direction by Jay Scheib, with musical supervision and additional arrangements by Michael Reed, choreography adapted by Xena Gusthart, set and costume design by Jon Bausor, original costume designs by Meentje Nielsen, original wig designs by Linda McKnight, video design by Finn Ross, lighting design by Patrick Woodroffe, sound design by Gareth Owen, orchestrations by Steve Sidwell, original casting by David Grindrod CDG and International Tour casting by Anne Vosser.
Bat Out of Hell is produced by David Sonenberg, Michael Cohl & Tony Smith, with executive producer Julian Stoneman.
Presale tickets are on sale from Thursday 3rd November at 12pm with general tickets on sale from Friday 4th November at 9am at TEGDainty.com.
This tour is dedicated to the memory of Jim Steinman, who sadly passed away on 19 April 2021, and Meat Loaf, who passed away on 20 January 2022.
BIG FAN OPENS ITS DOORS TO THE PUBLIC WITH A SERIES OF LAUNCH EVENTS THROUGH NOVEMBER
BIG FAN is finally opening its doors! Announced today, Friday 28 October, this world-class music facility and community space will open to the public throughout November with a series of launch events where the public can experience and celebrate BIG FAN. With state-of-the-art recording studios and a purpose-built live music venue under one roof, BIG FAN is dedicated to helping people fulfil their ambitions through music.
Grammy Award winner Joel Little and his wife Gemma have created and developed BIG FAN, which will be run through The Little Family Foundation charitable trust. A gift to Aotearoa from Joel and Gemma, this not-for-profit entity will be supported in part by venue and studio hire, with all revenue reinvested into the space and the work that goes on there.
BIG FAN have teamed up with CRS & Live Nation to create an incredible lineup of shows over November, providing a first-taste of what BIG FAN has to offer. Kicking off on Friday 11 November with Church & AP, the launch series also includes a studio open day on Saturday 12 November, a chance for everyone to check out the studio facilities and chat to the BIG FAN in-house producers and team.
The following week, on Thursday 17 November, There’s A Tuesday and Rita Mae take the BIG FAN stage, followed the next day by Mermaidens and School Fair on Friday 18 November, with the supergroup LEISURE closing out the launch series on Saturday 19 November.
“We couldn’t have asked for a better lineup of artists to help us celebrate the opening of BIG FAN,” says Joel. “It’s going to feel so good to fill the place with people and really put it through its paces for the first time.”
BIG FAN is a purpose-built music hub, offering state-of-the-art recording studios and a licensed all-ages live venue all under the one roof, and created to cater to everyone. More than a recording and performance space; community is at the heart of BIG FAN, with plans in place for programmes that will provide free and subsidised studio and venue hire, along with industry upskilling and networking opportunities for those who would not typically have access to them.
“The whole idea with BIG FAN is that people from all walks of life can come and enjoy what we’ve built,” says Joel. “It’s an incredible feeling to finally be opening the doors to the public, and this launch series feels like the perfect way to kick things off.”
This is a unique chance to see some of New Zealand’s hottest acts in an intimate setting. There are limited tickets to these shows, so don’t delay in snapping them up for this special opportunity to celebrate the opening of BIG FAN.
BIG FAN LAUNCH SERIES:
Fri 11 November: Church & AP
Sat 12 November: Studio Open Day* 10am – 1pm
Thursday 17 November: There’s A Tuesday + Rita Mae
Friday 18 November: Mermaidens + School Fair
Saturday 19 November: LEISURE
Full details and tickets via www.bigfan.co.nz
Tickets go on sale on Monday 31 October.
*Studio Open Day is free and open to all
All shows presented by BIG FAN, CRS & Live Nation
CHANNEL TRES, HOT CHIP (DJ SET), LADYHAWKE, ZANE LOWE JOIN GROOVE ARMADA AT SPRING CITY MUSIC FESTIVAL 2022
The full lineup for Spring City Music Festival has been announced, to be held on the lush grounds of the Auckland Domain on Saturday, November 26 2022. Joining GROOVE ARMADA at the exciting one day festival will be performances from American rapper, singer and house producer CHANNEL TRES, DJ Set from UK electro-synthpop act HOT CHIP, Kiwi indie legend LADYHAWKE, music industry icon and party DJ ZANE LOWE, alongside George FM host, disco and house DJ SIN and Auckland rock/pop band COAST ARCADE.
The festival is down to final release tickets, with the popular Spring City VIP area already sold out. Full festival map and schedule to be released shortly.
CHANNEL TRES
In just a few short years, Compton's Channel Tres has achieved something few artists even set out to do: He created a lane for himself. House music may be experiencing a mainstream resurgence, with Drake and Beyonce performing their takes on the genre, but Channel Tres is a proven leader in the space—he’s ahead of the curve.
For Channel, music is about reconnecting with his own history, whether it’s in his lyrics, or through the influences and musical history he uncovers in his productions. “My dad is from Chicago," explains Channel of how he first arrived at dance music. "House music was created there, and over time the music got lost in translation. So, when I studied it and I saw that it was African-American people and Latinos and the LGBTQ community I got really inspired by it.” As a producer, Channel has a preternatural ability to absorb his musical influences and create something new.
HOT CHIP (DJ SET)
Hot Chip return in 2022 with Freakout/Release – the continuation of what, at this point, seems like an impossible run for the British electronic pop legends. Their eighth album features new singles 'Down' and 'Eleanor', and captures that giddy feeling of self-expression, a letting out of the tension conjured up by the world at large. “These songs take anxiety and trepidation and try to refocus those feelings towards positive release,” Doyle says. With their witty, affecting songwriting and the immediately recognizable vocals of Alexis Taylor and Joe Goddard, Hot Chip combine indie and dance in innovative ways. On early albums such as 2006's Mercury Prize-nominated The Warning, the band evoked the cleverness of Talking Heads and the poignancy of the Pet Shop Boys. With time, Hot Chip's music broadened and deepened, spawning the tender musings on commitment on 2010's One Life Stand as well as the poly-genre mashups of 2015's Why Make Sense? With only a few hit singles to their name (chief among them the Grammy-nominated "Ready for the Floor" from 2008's Made in the Dark), Hot Chip nevertheless earned a following that allowed them to headline festivals, as reflected by the rave-tinged anthems of 2019's A Bath Full of Ecstasy.
LADYHAWKE
As Ladyhawke, Phillippa "Pip" Brown crafts larger-than-life songs that made her one of the leading lights of the 1980s synth pop revival of the late 2000s and well into the 21st century. However, she's just as inspired by and as by or , and Brown's musical literacy gave her award-winning 2008 debut Ladyhawke a wide appeal as well as critical acclaim. Where many of her contemporaries focus on slick surfaces, Ladyhawke draws upon real-life emotions and situations that added depth to her songs, whether on the grunge and glam-rock augmented angst of 2012's Anxiety or the therapeutic grooves of 2021's Time Flies.
ZANE LOWE
A successful international DJ in his own right, Zane Lowe has played sets at festivals including Coachella, Glastonbury, Creamfields, Bestival and Rhythm and Vines. He has toured with artists including Skrillex, The Prodigy, Kasabian and The Weeknd and opened shows for both Muse and Foo Fighters at their concerts at Wembley Stadium. In 2015, Zane Lowe was head-hunted by Apple to be the Creative Director for their new world-wide music staton, Apple Music 1.
SIN
The co-host of George FM Drive and high-energy DJ has channelled her creativity and self-expression into a career based on music and dance; a natural extrovert and "big muso," she feels most at home when she is performing; sharing her passion with others and being heard, seen and felt.
COAST ARCADE
Coast Arcade is an emerging Indie Pop Rock band from Tāmaki Makaurau, New Zealand. They describe their sound as Indie Pop Rock with subtle punk and surf twists. This combination of genres crafts their energetic and fun summer sound. Formed in high school in early 2021, Coast Arcade are regulars in the NZ music scene and the band plays to a strong following at many of Auckland's most iconic live music venues. Bella Bavin (Rafflyn) fronts the band, on lead guitar and vocals, Thom Boynton, drums/backing vocals, and brothers Chris and Nate Tims on Rhythm Guitar and Bass, respectively. The future's looking good for Coast Arcade; with many local shows under their belt and a solid fan base getting behind them, they have built up an energetic performance with lots of vibrant melodies, tasty riffs, and so much more.
GROOVE ARMADA
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 including the full band.
ABOUT SPRING CITY
Spring City music festival is new one day music festival held on November 26 2022, at the iconic Auckland Domain. The first Spring City Music Festival was held in 2019 and featured Two Door Cinema Club, Flight Facilities, Crooked Colours. The festival features a massive main stage production, Spring City VIP zone, some of Auckland’s top food vendors spread across the lush Auckland domain grounds. Sponsors include Westpac Apple Pay, Genoapay, Pals, Steinlager, Zeffer, Red Bull, GH Mumm and George FM.
TICKETING INFORMATION
The festival is down to final release tickets, with Spring City VIP tickets sold out.
LANEWAY FESTIVAL 2023 MOVES TO WESTERN SPRINGS + THE JUNGLE GIANTS ADDED!
After an unprecedented 90-minute sell out, Laneway Festival will move from Albert Park to Western Springs for Auckland Anniversary Day on Monday 30 January.
A new pre-sale starts Wednesday 26 October at 9am and will be available for Laneway subscribers and anyone who missed out and was registered for the original pre-sale. General public tickets go on sale Thursday 27 October at 9am.
“We were blown away with the demand, and after being away for so long it was clear we needed to find a way to allow more of our audience to be able to experience Laneway,” says Julian Carswell, Executive Producer of Laneway Auckland. “We couldn’t let people miss out on the chance to see some of the world’s most exciting artists, many coming to Auckland for the first time.”
After a nearly three-year hiatus Laneway Auckland has entirely sold out, the first time this has ever happened this early in the history of the festival.
“The decision to move is bittersweet. Albert Park has been our much-loved home since 2017” says Danny Rogers, Laneway Festival co-founder. “Our team is working hard to ensure we bring the magic of Laneway to the new venue, which will have improved production but still feel uniquely Laneway.”
Auckland Stadiums Director James Parkinson agrees. “Western Springs is a great festival venue that lends itself perfectly to the creativity that the Laneway team will bring. It is so exciting to see the growth in appetite for festivals like these."
“Tātaki Auckland Unlimited is delighted to support the relocation of Laneway – just one of the many reasons for Aucklanders to stay in Tāmaki Makaurau in January. It reinforces our vision for Aucklanders to be able to enjoy a diverse and vibrant line up across our region, right here at home.”
If you missed out on tickets, Laneway Festival subscribers will be the first to access the new ticket allocation being released in the pre-sale. All Albert Park tickets will also be valid for the new venue at Western Springs.
In addition to a new venue, Laneway Festival has added The Jungle Giants to the NZ line-up.
Joining the previously announced all-star cast, The Jungle Giants are another reason why Laneway Festival’s 2023 comeback is going to be truly unforgettable.
Driven by optimism, creative freedom and their desire to “go funny, go weird and not be scared”, each new album by The Jungle Giants paves the way for their continued metamorphosis. Expecting the unexpected has become the status quo.
Tickets to Laneway Festival at Albert Park sold out in just 90 minutes – so if you’re planning on heading along to Western Springs, don’t delay. They won’t last long!
LIVE NATION & SECRET SOUNDS PRESENT LEWIS CAPALDI
AUCKLAND, NZ (October 19, 2022): Live Nation & Secret Sounds have today announced that Scottish singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi will return to New Zealand for the first time since 2020, performing in Auckland on July 18 and Wellington on July 19.
Tickets for all shows go on sale at 10am, Friday October 28, through livenation.co.nz.
American Express Card Members can secure tickets during the presale beginning 10am, Tuesday October 25.
My Live Nation members can secure tickets during the presale beginning at 9am, Thursday October 27.
The news comes as Capaldi announces that his new album Broken By Desire To Be Heavenly Sent will be released in May 2023 on EMI Records. Capaldi’s highly anticipated New Zealand shows will be his first performances in Aotearoa since his last tour in early 2020. His 2023 tour will see him arrive with a host of new songs to perform from the new album, alongside crowd favourites.
Capaldi made his eagerly awaited return in September with new single Forget Me, marking his third consecutive UK No. 1 hit and giving fans a taste of new music to come. The new record will follow his 2019 full-length debut, Divinely Uninspired To A Hellish Extent — which peaked at #3 on the Official New Zealand Top 40 Albums and featured the hit singles Someone You Loved and Before You Go.
An auspicious start to the next phase of his career, Forget Me amassed over two million streams within 24 hours of its premiere and is now approaching 100 million streams globally, in addition to making Capaldi only the third artist this year to land a single at the No. 1 spot on the UK charts in its first week. Forget Me was shortly followed by a true spectacle of a music video that saw Lewis re-enact Wham’s 1983 hit ‘Club Tropicana’ shot-for-shot.
Capaldi’s debut album Divinely Uninspired To A Hellish Extent sold over 10 million copies worldwide, propelling him from bedroom musician to superstar. The record’s platinum-selling single Someone You Loved earned a GRAMMY nomination for Song of the Year, won the Song of the Year prize at the Brit Awards, and reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and US Top 40 charts.
Known for his down to earth attitude and sense of humour, Lewis Capaldi can be expected to charm fans across his live shows in July. With his last tour selling out in record time, fans are encouraged to jump on tickets quickly when they go on sale from 10am local Friday October 28.
LEWIS CAPALDI
NEW ZEALAND 2023
SPARK ARENA, AUCKLAND
TUESDAY JULY 18
TSB ARENA, WELLINGTON
WEDNESDAY JULY 19
TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY OCTOBER 28, 10am
Live Nation presale: Thursday, October 27, 9am – Friday October 28, 9am
For complete tour and ticket information, visit: lewiscapaldi.com & livenation.co.nz
PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHY UNDERWAY ON FEATURE FILM ‘ONE WINTER’ WITH JULIAN DENNISON, MINNIE DRIVER AND RHYS DARBY
Principal photography is underway on the new feature film ‘One Winter’ starring Julian Dennison of Ngāi Takoto (Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Godzilla v Kong), Minnie Driver (Circle of Friends, Good Will Hunting), Rhys Darby (Yes Man, Flight of the Conchords), James Rolleston of Ngāi Te Rangi, Te Arawa, Ngāti Porou, Whakatōhea (Boy, Pork Pie) and Erana James of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and Waikato Tainui (The Changeover, The Wilds).
Written by Hamish Bennett (Te Arawa, Patuharakeke, Ngāi Tahu) and Sonia Whiteman, and directed by Paul Middleditch and Hamish Bennett, this coming of age story is set in Aotearoa New Zealand in 1981 when the arrival of the South African rugby team sets off nationwide protests against apartheid and racism. Dennison plays Josh Waaka, a 17-year-old who after being a passive bystander all of his life, is suddenly forced to stand up for himself, his family and his future.
“One Winter is a story of hope, courage and standing up for what one believes is right,” says directors Middleditch and Bennett. “It has been incredible to have such a stellar cast join us for this project and we have been blown away with what they have brought to the story.”
One Winter is currently shooting across Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland and Ōtepoti Dunedin by a wealth of incredible local creatives and crew. Ensuring production takes place in the stories home of Ōtepoti Dunedin is integral to the project with consultation with mana whenua from the runaka / tribal councils of Puketeraki and Ōtākou continuing to be a key part of the filmmaking process for Producers and Directors.
The film is produced by Emma Slade, Sandra Kailahi and Angela Cudd (Ngāti Porou, Te-Whānau-Ā-Apanui, Ngāti Wai). Troy Lum is executive producer. Stacey Morrison (Ngāi Tahu, Te Arawa) has supported the film with iwi engagement as well as offering cultural guidance, however the key creative content that emerges from the partnership with the runaka of Ōtepoti is very much from those on the ground in that takiwā / district.
One Winter was made with investment from Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga New Zealand Film Commission, the New Zealand Government’s Screen Production Grant, with financing from Kiwibank. Blue Fox Entertainment are the international sales agents with Kismet distributing the film across Australia and New Zealand.
FATBOY SLIM RETURNS TO NEW ZEALAND FOR MASSIVE 6 DATE TOUR
Dance enthusiasts across the country can rejoice as today it is announced that award-winning and critically acclaimed UK DJ, producer and musician FATBOY SLIM will return to New Zealand in 2023. Embarking on his largest New Zealand tour to date, the iconic DJ will play outdoor summer shows in Christchurch, Napier, Auckland, Wellington, Queenstown and Taupō.
Over 20,000 fans who experienced his 2019 New Zealand tour have been counting down the days for the return. With a career spanning over four decades, Fatboy Slim aka Norman Cook, is considered one of the original godfathers of dance music and was a key pioneer of the big beat genre of the nineties, with certified hits “Right Here, Right Now”, “The Rockafeller Skank” and “Praise You”.
Fatboy Slim’s success lies in his ability to blend funky breakbeats with the most catchy melodies and riffs, and he has reached a wider audience than many DJs by combining elements of rock and dance music. Cook holds the Guiness World Record for the most top 40 hits under different names, and as a solo act, he has won ten MTV Video Music Awards and two Brit Awards.
Kiwis will need to EAT, SLEEP, RAVE, REPEAT in order to prepare themselves for the mind and genre-bending multi-visual effects and stage presence that comes with a Fatboy Slim show. He might have played to over 250,000 people on Brighton Beach, and headlined festival and arena shows around the world, but nothing of this magnitude and depth that goes into the heart and soul of New Zealand. Prior to his 2019 tour of NZ, Fatboy Slim last performed in New Zealand at a sold-out headline show at Vector Arena in 2012, and fans would still fondly remember his set closing out the Boiler Room at Big Day Out in 1999. His return to Aotearoa will no doubt spark the re-appearance of ravers young and old across dance floors around the country.
Fatboy Slim’s performance in Auckland will give birth to a new festival for the city - Gardens Music Festival - Victoria Park. He will also be making a couple of special one-off intimate shows that will be announced shortly, including a special DJ set at the top of the Sky Tower. Local support acts to be announced.
PARTY WITH FATBOY SLIM IN THE SKY TOWER
Everyone who registers for the presale go in the draw to win a major prize including flights to Auckland, accommodation for two at Sky City Hotel and two tickets to see Fatboy Slim perform up the Sky Tower on Wednesday, February 1 2023. Terms and Conditions apply.
Register for presale @ endeavour.live/fatboyslim
Thanks to Sky City and Air NZ grabaseat.
For further tour details visit www.endeavour.live/fatboyslim
FATBOY SLIM NZ TOUR DATES
FRI, JAN 27 - QE2 PARK - CHRISTCHURCH
SAT, JAN 28 - TREMAIN FIELD - NAPIER
SUN, JAN 29 - VICTORIA PARK* - AUCKLAND
FRI, FEB 3 - ANDERSON PARK - WELLINGTON
SAT, FEB 4 - GIBBSTON VALLEY - QUEENSTOWN
SUN, FEB 5 - TAUPO AMPHITHEATRE - TAUPO
All shows are R18. *Gardens Music Festival - Victoria Park feat Fatboy Slim & Friends
KAREN O’LEARY JOINS ABLE & SHORTLAND STREET TO CELEBRATE WORLD SIGHT DAY
On Thursday 13 October, actor and comedian Karen O’Leary will be providing the audio description for Shortland Street to celebrate World Sight Day. Able, a not-for-profit organisation working towards a more inclusive Aotearoa, has partnered with TVNZ and South Pacific Pictures for World Sight Day to raise awareness about the free audio description services available to everyone.
On raising awareness for World Sight Day, Karen O’Leary says: “I jumped at the chance to be able to have a greater understanding of how audio description happens and experience it first-hand under the guidance of the amazing Able Audio Describer team. It’s an exciting way to celebrate World Sight Day with the blind and low vision community, as well as raise awareness among the wider community that this service is available.”
Audio description (AD) provides access to New Zealanders who are blind or who have low vision. An alternate audio track, AD provides a description of what’s happening on screen for the 180,000+ New Zealanders who are blind or have low vision.
Able CEO Dan Buckingham says, “Whether we watch TV for entertainment, information, or escape, it can connect us to the people and world around us. Audio description provides invaluable access to the stories and culture of Aotearoa for those who are blind, have low vision, or show use sound rather than sight to access TV for other reasons. So that everyone can share the laughter and enjoy the show.”
Able CEO Dan Buckingham says, “Audio description provides such a fantastic added layer to storytelling and information sharing. It enriches the programming our local producers pour their heart and soul into, making it accessible for those in our community who are blind, deafblind or low vision. Yet, far too few people know about it. It feels very much on point that we're partnering with TVNZ and South Pacific Pictures for this unique event as we seek to increase awareness about the service that’s free and available on TV. Shortland Street reflects who we are as Kiwis back to us on screen, and we're proud to have been making this iconic show accessible by providing audio description and captions for more than a decade.”
“I’m absolutely passionate about TV. The way it tells stories about people and culture - it takes people on a journey. I want to help everyone to have access to the stories TV tells, it means so much to be able to support this community and help strengthen accessibility in media,” Karen continues.
“We are deeply supportive of the work Able does in making content more inclusive and accessible for Kiwis,” says Nevak Rogers, Deputy Content Director – Local and Commissioning at TVNZ. “A partnership between Shortland Street, Able and TVNZ for World Sight Day is a strong and natural collaboration, and one we are proud to be part of.”
New Zealand’s media accessibility organisation Able creates audio description for New Zealand TV and media. Able has been providing audio description for Aotearoa since 2011, and has grown the service exponentially over time, with a 148% increase over the past two years. Currently, approximately 30% of possible content is audio described on TVNZ’s channels, including all Shortland Street episodes, with 7% of New Zealanders watching TV with audio description.
Comedian Sam Smith says about the impact of AD: “In 2017, I got diagnosed with MS. I lost all the feeling in my hands, and so couldn’t do dentistry anymore. I could still do comedy, so I started to do that more and more. A couple of years later, I had an MS attack and lost vision in my left eye, and part of my right eye. Audio description is amazing. Media accessibility means that we can all have access to the same information at the same time. You don’t think about it until someone points it out to you.”
Able has a skilled team of audio describers who work to enhance audio visual media through audio description. The team scripts, voices, and records descriptions to reflect what's happening on screen for each unique piece of content. AD is typically placed during natural pauses in the audio, integrating with the score and dialogue of the media.
Dan Buckingham continues, “Our aspiration at Able is to support accessibility on a broader range of channels and digital platforms, to provide viewers with freedom and choice when accessing the news, entertainment, and culture of the nation. This is something we are constantly working towards and striving for.”
Instructions on how to access audio description are here: https://able.co.nz/audio-description/how-to-access/
DANNEVIRKE LOCAL MOLLY PAWSON CROWNED WINNER OF 'TAKE THE MIC'
After three weeks of showcasing talented teenagers from around Aotearoa, Take The Mic has crowned its winner! Molly Pawson from Dannevirke took out the top spot on the new WhitebaitMedia talent show, going up against 11 other emerging Kiwi singers and songwriters and premiering their music videos to audiences across the country.
Every weekday for the last three weeks, Take The Mic has highlighted rising musical stars from New Zealand aged between 15-18 years old, as they work with industry professionals to create their very own music video. The docu-series has brought some fantastic talent to our screens, with the teens handpicked by music video director Connor Pritchard and musician Mikey Dam. After audiences met all 12 contestants, voting opened for the public to choose their top three, with over 19,000 votes cast from around the country. Making it to the finale was Rhythm Titimaea, Carl Quaitchanon (CJ), and Molly Pawson, with Connor and Mikey ultimately decided that Molly’s passion and creativity when creating her music video should see her take out the competition.
Handpicked from over 200 entrants, Molly Pawson impressed the judges with her original song ‘Home’, before working with the professionals on an ethereal music video shot in the forest which featured breath-taking interpretive dance. For winning the competition, Molly will receive a song writing, coaching and brand development package with Sole Academy, a recording session with Five AM Studios, a music video directed by Connor Pritchard, and a Rockshop voucher, all to further develop her love of music and song writing.
Music video director Connor Pritchard commented on Molly’s win: “Mikey and I had the hard task of choosing the winner of Take The Mic, between three extremely talented and very different musicians. We chose Molly Pawson because of her amazing concept, and the planning and story boarding which resulted in an epic final music video which kept us engaged. Huge congratulations to Molly and the other contestants!”
Take The Mic was created by WhitebaitMedia with funding from NZ On Air. The full season is now available to stream on TVNZ+.
LIVE NATION & SECRET SOUNDS PRESENT THE 1975
AUCKLAND, NZ (October 6, 2022): Live Nation & Secret Sounds have today announced that acclaimed English rockers The 1975 will return to New Zealand for the first time since 2020 for shows in Auckland on April 19 and Wellington on April 21.
Tickets for all shows go on sale at 11am, Friday October 14, through livenation.co.nz.
My Live Nation & Secret Sounds members can secure tickets during the exclusive presale beginning at 9am, Thursday October 13.
Formed in Manchester in 2002, The 1975 have established themselves as one of the defining bands of their generation with their distinctive aesthetic, ardent fanbase and unique sonic approach.
They will arrive in Aotearoa with a host of new tracks to perform from their forthcoming album, Being Funny In A Foreign Language, which is due for release on October 14. The band have recently released three singles from the album including I’m In Love With You, Happiness and Part Of The Band, their acclaimed comeback single which Pitchfork praised as “the kind of grand, playful pop song that only this band could pull off”. Being Funny In A Foreign Language will be the The 1975’s fifth studio album and is perhaps their most intimate yet. While the band’s past few records were brimming with massive production—programming and synths— Being Funny In A Foreign Language is rooted in performance.
The 1975’s previous record, 2020’s Notes On A Conditional Form became their fourth consecutive #1 album in the UK, reaching #4 in New Zealand. 2020 also saw them named NME’s ‘Band of the Decade’, following being crowned as ‘Best Group’ at the BRIT Awards in both 2017 & 2019. Their third studio album, A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships, also won ‘Mastercard British Album of the Year’ at the 2019 ceremony.
The 1975 made their long-awaited live comeback in August as they headlined Japan’s biggest rock festival Summer Sonic 2022 in Tokyo and Osaka before returning to the UK for two triumphant headline slots at the iconic Reading & Leeds Festival. The 2023 New Zealand dates are part the band’s ‘At Their Very Best’ tour which includes huge shows in North America, UK, Ireland, and Japan. Several international dates are already sold out, including New York’s legendary Madison Square Garden, so New Zealand fans are encouraged to jump on tickets quickly when they go one sale from 9am local Friday October 14.
THE 1975
SPARK ARENA, AUCKLAND
WEDNESDAY APRIL 19
TSB ARENA, WELLINGTON
FRIDAY APRIL 21
TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY OCTOBER 14, 11am
Artist / Live Nation / Secret Sounds presale: Thursday, October 13, 9am – Friday October 14, 10am
For complete tour and ticket information, visit: the1975.co.nz & livenation.co.nz