This year’s ASB Classic in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland not only featured some of the world’s top tennis players, it also broke records across the board, with the premier tournament seeing unparalleled ticket sales, broadcast numbers, sponsorship sales and money raised for Youthline.
An impressive mix of both global stars and emerging talent provided world-class tennis, with the likes of Grand Slam winner Coco Gauff, former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki, Tennis super-couple Gaël Monfils and Elina Svitolina, and rising stars Arthur Fils, Felix Auger-Aliassime and the new US number one, Ben Shelton, competing.
The event once again brought significant economic benefit to its host region, resulting in 16,600 visitor nights to the region and injecting $3.4 million into the economy.
ASB Executive Manager Commercial Partnerships Mark Graham says: “Every year the ASB Classic attracts thousands of domestic and international visitors to the Auckland region and to New Zealand, to compete, support the players or simply enjoy the on-court action. This brings an important boost to local businesses, from hospitality to transport, to retail and other attractions, and a real buzz to the summer calendar.”
Ticket sales for the event were higher than ever before, up around 5% on the previous record set in 2020 and up 8% compared with 2023.
The 2024 event also marked a record number of partners, with the addition of Lexus, Aperol, Grey Goose, Gwen by Church Road, Go Media, Ryman and TAB.
Broadcast audiences were also the biggest on record, with an increase on both domestic reach and viewer hours for Sky NZ. The international broadcast saw a global audience of more than 12 million, with the top markets outside of New Zealand being the U.S.A, Latin America, Pan Asia and Serbia. Total hours of broadcast for both linear and digital was more than 3,000.
Tournament Director Nicolas Lamperin comments: “The results of the ASB Classic underline our commitment to continuously improve its reputation as a world-class tennis event which provides global exposure to Auckland and New Zealand as a whole. Not only does it deliver unparalleled economic impact, it also creates memorable experience for players and spectators alike and continue to inspire and positively impact the lives of the next generation of players.”
A series of initiatives, including the ball throwing competition Lobbo, allowed the ASB Classic to raise a significant $55,000 for Youthline to continue their support towards young people in Aotearoa.
The 2024 event also marked record sales for sponsorship, with the addition of Lexus, Aperol, Grey Goose, Gwen by Church Road, Go Media, Ryman and TAB.
The ASB Classic continued to serve its purpose to promote tennis within the community. This was highlighted in January through Coco Gauff’s visit to Te Atatu Tennis Club and through the wheelchair activation on Centre Court.
Looking ahead, next year’s ASB Classic is set to be bigger and better than ever, with player announcements and more information to follow in the coming months.
UC CELEBRATES EXCLUSIVE WITH WALLACE AND GROMIT CREATORS
Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) have signed a multi-year agreement with the training arm of Academy Award® winning Aardman Animations.
In a move with the potential to redefine the animation landscape in Aotearoa New Zealand, an exclusive agreement between UC and the Aardman Academy will see the University become the only educational institution in New Zealand and the Pacific territories to specialise in Aardman stop-motion animation.
The expertise available through Aardman, the animation studio behind Wallace and Gromit, Shaun the Sheep and Morph, is particularly exciting for animation students under UC’s popular Bachelor of Digital Screen with Honours, as it creates the rare opportunity to receive training both in their chosen specialty, and directly from industry leaders.
“It’s incredibly exciting to welcome the University of Canterbury as an educational partner with the Aardman Academy,” says Mark Simon Hewis, Head of the Aardman Academy, the training arm of the world-renowned stop-motion studio.
“Canterbury is our first and only educational partner in New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, so our relationship and activities in the coming years are even more special. We can’t wait to get going with world-leading animation insight, support and learning from our Aardman staff and Aardman Academy team.”
Created at a time when the studio desperately needed more animators to produce Chicken Run, which went on to become the highest-grossing stop-motion film of all time, the Aardman Academy has trained hundreds of world-class animators, directors, model makers and more, globally.
The collaborative agreement came to fruition through Kōawa, the newly rebranded initiative from UC, formerly known as Digital Screen Campus.
The name Kōawa draws inspiration from Waitaha Canterbury’s vast braided rivers, a visual representation of the converged industries at the center of the University’s vision, which aspires to co-create the future of the global screen and creative technology sectors through collaboration, innovation and education.
Kōawa will enable the University to provide its Bachelor of Digital Screen (Hons) students with regular access and exposure to a high caliber of industry partners, like Aardman.
“We want to ensure our graduates are not just exploring what is happening in the creative technology sectors,” explains initiative Director, Sam Witters. “The partnerships Kōawa brings to the University will ensure our students have a finger on the pulse of future trends of the industries into which they’ll graduate and work.”
The different ways the interconnected screen industries engage with storytelling helped the University form the foundation for Kōawa, says Executive Dean of Arts, Professor Kevin Watson.
“It was built on the idea of the convergence between education and industry, creating an ecosystem where students learn from both academic experts and industry partners, ensuring we produce graduates with the creative and technical skills employers need to grow the sector and change the world through storytelling.”
UC is already home to a cinematic landmark with its Ilam Homestead playing a pivotal role in Peter Jackson’s 1994 masterpiece, Heavenly Creatures.
Now, 30 years later, UC is poised to introduce the country’s next generation of industry leaders.
JIMMY BARNES ANNOUNCES HIS RETURN TO THE STAGE FOR THE “HELL OF A TIME” NEW ZEALAND TOUR
Jimmy Barnes has announced his much anticipated return to touring, heading to Christchurch, Wellington, New Plymouth and Auckland in July, following open heart surgery late last year.
Jimmy was admitted to hospital on 27 November last year with bacterial pneumonia. Treatment was commenced immediately however he became very unwell while in hospital with the development of staphylococcal bacteraemia a few days after admission. Further investigations showed that he had an abscess at an old operation site due to the staph infection which required surgical intervention.
Unfortunately, the staph infection continued to progress causing endocarditis, a life threatening condition that without urgent treatment may well have been fatal. This affected his aortic valve requiring urgent cardiac surgery to replace it on 13 December.
It’s now been a little over three months since the surgery and as fans have seen through his social media posts, his road to recovery has been nothing short of phenomenal and doctors have now given him the all clear to ramp up his exercise routine in preparation for hitting the road.
Jimmy said, “I’m excited about getting back on stage, in front of the band and playing for my Kiwi mates. I really want to thank everyone for their support and good wishes while I was ill. The family were passing on your messages of care and it really lifted my spirits.”
Jimmy’s first show back since the surgery was an early evening, unique performance at Bluesfest in Byron Bay on Easter Sunday celebrating the 30th anniversary of the release of his Flesh and Wood album.
“Last weekend we did our first show back after surgery at the Byron Bay Blues festival. It was so much fun to get back on stage again that we tore the place apart. I can’t wait to bring the Hell of a Time show to New Zealand so you guys can come and join in on all the fun” continues Jimmy.
After quickly selling out the Australian tour Jimmy’s New Zealand tour will be something special, celebrating the anniversary of the Flesh and Wood album along with his extensive catalogue of hits.
Flesh and Wood was Jimmy’s seventh solo album and entered the New Zealand charts at #9 in December 1993. It went on to garner triple platinum sales, spending five weeks in the Top 50. Flesh and Wood featured duets with the likes of Joe Cocker, Diesel, Ross Wilson, Don Walker, The Badloves and Archie Roach, with four singles released from the album: The Weight, a Top 10 hit, followed by You Can’t Make Love Without A Soul, Still Got A Long Way To Go and It Will Be Alright.
Jimmy said “The Hell of a Time Tour is shaping up to be something special. It’s going to be intimate and it's going to be a lot of fun. I’m going to play a bunch of my favourite tunes – and when songs are this good it's great to strip them back to the bare bones and really tell the stories. We think it's going to feel like you guys are sitting in our lounge room. I know you’ll love it.”
Bloodlines are releasing a limited edition sand-coloured vinyl reissue of Flesh and Wood, celebrating 30 years since the release of Jimmy’s much-loved seventh solo studio album. All vinyl copies will be personally signed by Jimmy and are available for pre-order now from here.
Jimmy said, “I’ve visited all my doctors now and they all tell me the same thing. I am ready to rock. I’ve been in my gym every day (sometimes twice a day) and I feel fitter and stronger with each passing day. My band are chomping at the bit and just like me, they can’t wait to hit the stage. So bring on the tour! Get your tickets soon because it seems a lot of you are keen to come out and celebrate with us and I wouldn’t want you to miss out. See you on the road.”
2X GRAMMY AWARD WINNER LAUREN DAIGLE BRINGS THE KALEIDOSCOPE NIGHTS TOUR DOWN UNDER
This November, 2x GRAMMY Award Winner and multi-platinum selling artist LAUREN DAIGLE will expand her critically acclaimed headline tour, The Kaleidoscope Nights Tour, to New Zealand. The two new dates will mark Daigle’s first shows down under in nearly five years. Kicking off in Auckland, New Zealand on 4 November, The Kaleidoscope Nights Tour will also stop in Christchurch, New Zealand on Wednesday 6 November.
Tickets will officially go on sale 10 April at 12pm from livenation.co.nz.
Mastercard cardholders have special access to presale tickets in New Zealand starting from Friday 5 April, 11am until Tuesday 9 April, 11am. Preferred ticket access is available to Mastercard cardholders in New Zealand on Wednesday 10 April, 12pm. Visit www.priceless.com/music to find out more.
My Live Nation members may also secure tickets first during the pre-sale beginning Tuesday 9 April 12pm.
For complete tour, ticket and VIP Experience information, visit: livenation.co.nz.
The Kaleidoscope Nights Tour first began in September 2023, following the release of Daigle’s GRAMMY Nominated self-titled album. Due to popular demand and sold-out performances across the country, the tour has been extended through 2024 including dates in Europe and a summer amphitheater run dubbed The Kaleidoscope Nights Tour. The show features many of Daigle’s #1s including her groundbreaking 6x Platinum smash “You Say,” 2x Platinum hit “Rescue,” “Look Up Child,” and her latest Gold certified No.1 and GRAMMY Nominated “Thank God I Do.”
Lauren Daigle is a two-time Grammy®, seven-time Billboard Music, four-time American Music, and twelve-time GMA Dove Music Award winner. Since the release of her GRAMMY® Award-winning, 2x platinum-certified 2018 album Look Up Child, which included the 6x platinum-certified hit “You Say,” Daigle has been a mainstay on the Billboard charts. When Look Up Child debuted at No. 3 on the Top 200 Albums chart, Daigle became the first female artist in history to simultaneously hit the Top 10 on both Billboard’s Pop and Christian Album charts. Her recent GRAMMY Nominated and Mike Elizondo-produced, 23-song, self-titled album’s debut single, “Thank God I Do,” gave Daigle her 6th Billboard No. 1 and was recently certified Gold. She’s garnered over a billion streams and wowed crowds for years with sold-out US and international tours. Daigle continues to cement her status as a modern vocal powerhouse with a huge global fanbase.
LAUREN DAIGLE
THE KALEIDOSCOPE NIGHTS TOUR
CHRISTCHURCH TOWN HALL, CHRISTCHURCH MONDAY NOVEMBER 4
KIRI TE KANAWA THEATRE, AUCKLAND WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 6
TICKETS ON SALE 12PM WEDNESDAY 10 APRIL
Mastercard presale: Friday April 5, 11am local – Tuesday April 9, 11am local
Live Nation presale: Tuesday April 9, 12pm local
For complete tour, ticket and VIP Experience information, visit: laurendaigle.com & www.livenation.co.nz
CONNECT WITH LAUREN DAIGLE
Website | Facebook | Instagram | X | TikTok | YouTube
NZ MUSIC T-SHIRT DAY RETURNS ON FRIDAY 3 MAY
MusicHelps annual fundraising initiative NZ Music T-Shirt Day is taking place on Friday 3rd May 2024 as part of NZ Music Month. NZ Music T-Shirt Day is all about celebrating great New Zealand music, raising awareness for the important work of MusicHelps and showing your support by sporting your favourite artists or band tee.
NZ Music T-Shirt Day raises funds for MusicHelps, a charity that helps the most vulnerable in our communities by supporting projects that use the power of music to help and heal. This includes music therapy sessions, music programs in respite and palliative care, music education programs for the at-risk and vulnerable and rehabilitation programs to name a few. They also provide free professional counselling and emergency financial wellbeing support to kiwi music workers. Since inception, they have positively impacted the lives of over 90,000 people across Aotearoa.
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 may face into the future.
Gather your friends, whānau and workplace, create a team, spread the message, and donate by visiting www.nzmusictshirtday.org.nz or texting MUSIC to 2448 to donate $3.
The NZ Music T Shirt Day action is easy:
MusicHelps supports initiatives and provides grants to a variety of communities across Aotearoa, from Whanganui to Tamaki Makaurau, Hamilton to Dunedin, Wellington to Whangārei. Some highlights of communities that Musichelps has supported this year include:
- Swan Nest in Wellington, a charity providing therapy, support and advocacy for children who are living with complex health conditions or terminal illness and their families. MusicHelps supports their Music Therapy programme, which provides children with tools to make sense of the world they are living in, in a fun and meaningful way.
- The Music4us Puoro Mō Taatou Music Education Trust in Dunedin which gives ‘at-risk’ youth access to music education and tuition; including them in a community that celebrates the cultures and communities of those involved.
- Whanganui’s Other Orchestra - who have been running since 2015 - run weekly sessions led by a facilitator and invited music guests. They provide a safe musical environment to people from all walks of life, especially those disadvantaged by health, disability, social or financial circumstances.
- The KiwiOra Community Trust in Auckland, who provide a ‘Notes of Hope’ outreach programme collaborating with experienced musicians, providing music lessons to rangatahi from families with limited financial means. They encourage musical performance and serve as a platform for giving disaffected youth dignity and purpose.
MusicHelps is also pleased to have recently announced our firstMusicHelps Music Therapy AwardtoKate Owen.The award is for wāhine identifying students who have been accepted into the Master of Music Therapy Programme at Victoria University. Presented in collaboration withRaukatauri Music Therapy TrustandThe Kate Edger Educational Charitable Trust, the recipient of the award received an $8,000 scholarship for one year of study, and if they are in their second year of study, the award will include a supported student placement with the Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust.
From singers to sound engineers, managers to musicians, MusicHelps service is available to anyone involved in the Aotearoa music industry to ensure people are taken care of when they need it most. Initiatives such as the annual New Zealand Music T-Shirt Day are vital to ensure Musichelps can not only celebrate the array of talented musicians we have throughout Aotearoa, but to continuously deliver their grants and services to anyone and everyone - the very people that bring us the music we love, and all those around it.
For 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
If you are lacking a NZ band tee (or struggling to make a decision!) please visit: www.nzmusicmonth.co.nz/buy-nz-music-month-merchandise/
THE FANTASTICAL LABYRINTH OF COLOUR AND LIGHT, ARBORIALIS LUMINARIUM, RETURNS TO AOTEAROA THESE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
From Saturday 13 to Sunday 28 April, Auckland Live in association with Insite Arts brings the highly popular ARBORIALIS Luminarium, a colourful inflatable labyrinth created by Alan Parkinson of Architects of Air, to Aotearoa. The astonishing multisensory experience for all ages will take place at Auckland’s Aotea Square. ARBORIALIS Luminarium echoes aspects of being lost in a forest – with many radiant canopies of leaves that stretch overhead accompanied by an immersive, ambient score by Irish composer Dr Michael Morris.
From the Guggenheim in Spain to the Sydney Opera House in Australia, the monumental interactive walk-in sculptures from Architects of Air have astounded audiences across the globe.
A luminarium is a dazzling inflatable maze of winding paths and soaring domes where visitors can be immersed in an amazing world of light and hues for a unique sensory experience. Many people find a luminarium a place for rest or meditation.
The luminarium that will be displayed at Aotea Square – ARBORIALIS - is half the size of a football pitch and dedicated to the theme of trees. There are radiant canopies of leaves that stretch overhead and vibrant tree trunks rising from the ground beneath. The main dome sees a leaf motif in a magnificent arch that references the form of the Islamic Mosque domes as a primary source of inspiration from designer Alan Parkinson. The visual world of ARBORIALIS Luminarium is enhanced by the natural and spiritual sounds of the Song of Danu (a Celtic goddess).
Past visitor's perceptions of the luminarium experience have provoked comments such as
“It felt like living in a painting” or “being inside a spaceship”. The luminarium is wheelchair accessible, and children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult, with a minimum of 1 adult for up to 4 children. ARBORIALIS Luminarium will provide an excellent family day out in the city - the wonderful maze-like structure of light and colour will enthral the kids these school holidays!
It has been nine years since Architects of Air were last in Auckland, with their previous work Arboria proving popular at Aotea Square in the September 2015 school holidays. In January 2024, Arborialis was displayed at the Christchurch Buskers Festival, giving Ōtautahi a taste of what Aucklanders can now expect during these school holidays.
ARBORIALIS LUMINARIUM
Saturday 13 – Sunday 28 April
Opening times: Monday –Wednesday: 11am – 5pm | Thursday – Sunday: 9am – 5pm (last admission)
Aotea Square
HOZIER ANNOUNCES ‘UNREAL UNEARTH’ 2024 NEW ZEALAND TOUR WITH SPECIAL GUEST JOY OLADOKUN
Live Nation is excited to announce the highly anticipated return of global superstar Hozier to Aotearoa shores this coming November, performing shows here for the first time since 2019.
The Grammy-nominated, award-winning multi-platinum singer and songwriter and his band play two arena dates across the country on Wednesday November 20 at Spark Arena in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, and Wolfbrook Arena in Ōtautahi Christchurch on Friday November 22.
Presented in partnership with More FM, tickets for all shows go on sale at 12pm local, Monday March 18.
Mastercard cardholders in New Zealand have special access to presale and preferred tickets from 11am local Wednesday 13 March. Visit www.priceless.com/music to find out more.
One NZ customers can be among the first to secure tickets during a 48 hour presale for all New Zealand shows, starting 11am local Wednesday 13 March. Head to one.nz/rewards
My Live Nation members can secure tickets during the exclusive presale at 12pm local, Friday March 15 – 11am local, Monday March 18.
For complete tour and ticket information, visit: livenation.co.nz
With over 22 billion global streams, numerous platinum album certifications, multiple award nominations and wins, Hozier is recognised as one of the foremost singer-songwriters of our generation.
Driven by the thought-provoking seven time platinum anthem ‘Take Me To Church’, Hozier’s self-titled full-length debut bowed at #2 on the Billboard Top 200 and went on to achieve five time platinum status in New Zealand. Featuring the hit singles ‘Take Me To Church’, and ‘Someone New’, it enjoyed nine weeks at #1 in his native Ireland and rose to #3 on the New Zealand album charts, also achieving multi-platinum sales.
The follow up to Hozier’s debut album, ‘Wasteland, Baby!’ was released to massive critical acclaim in March 2019, entering the US Billboard Top 200 Chart at #1. The multi-platinum selling album’s 14 tracks (all original Hozier compositions) marked a major development in songwriting and subject matter and included the singles ‘Nina Cried Power’, ‘Movement’, ‘Almost (Sweet music)’, ‘Would That I’ and ‘Dinner and Diatribes’.
August 2023 saw Hozier release his third studio album ‘Unreal Unearth’ which delivered the singles ‘Eat Your Young’, ‘Francesca’, ‘De Selby (Part 2)’ and ‘All Things End’ and has been described as ‘an album brimming with brilliance’, and ‘one of the most enchanting albums of 2023’. An extensive world tour kicked off after the release which included sold out shows across the US, Europe and the UK, and a string of International Festival dates and more headline shows in 2024.
November 2024 Hozier will bring his highly successful ‘Unreal Unearth’ tour to New Zealand and will be joined by special guest American singer songwriter Joy Oladokun.
HOZIER - UNREAL UNEARTH TOUR
WITH SPECIAL GUEST JOY OLADOKUN
SPARK ARENA, AUCKLAND WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 20
WOLFBROOK ARENA, CHRISTCHURCH FRIDAY NOVEMBER 22
FOLLOW HOZIER:
Cigarettes After Sex Announce World Arena Tour + New LP, Share "Tejano Blue" Single
New Zealand date confirmed at Spark Arena in Auckland on Wednesday 19 March 2025
Today, Cigarettes After Sex announce their new LP, titled X's (due 12 July), alongside their upcoming world tour, which features shows at some of the globe's most iconic venues, like Madison Square Garden and London's O2, with more Asia, South America and Middle East shows to be announced at a later date.
Filled with raw, imagistic, sometimes smutty vignettes set to entrancing, slowburn pop songs, bandleader Greg Gonzalez captures every emotion a romantic arc inspires. But where previous albums have drawn from an amalgam of relationships, for the most part, X’s centralizes on just one relationship that spanned four years.
“The record feels brutal,” admits Gonzalez. “I could sit and talk about this loss to someone, but that wouldn’t scratch the surface. I have to really write about it, sing about it, have the music, and then I can start to analyze and learn from it. Or just relive it—in a good way. I don’t have that Eternal Sunshine-thing of wanting to forget.”
While continuing to observe classic pop song structures, Gonzalez has moved away from the prior sonic touchstones of the ‘50s and ‘60s, finding himself now drawn to a ‘70s/’80s slow dance. While (in typical Cigarettes style) these changes may be subtle, the overall resulting energy is akin to disco ball-refracted tears on the dance floor.
Today also marks the release of the record's first single, “Tejano Blue”, a nod to the music of bandleader Greg Gonzalez’s Texas childhood, resulting in the most instantly memorable version (and liveliest tempo) yet of the band’s signature sensual, timeless, love songs.
Gonzalez explains: “I grew up in El Paso & Tejano music is huge there. You could go to a lot of the bars in the city & hear artists like Selena, Los Ángeles Azules & La Mafia playing over the speakers. It was in the atmosphere around me back then, but I always rejected it & gravitated towards anything else I was attracted to really.
“Years later when I was living in New York City I finally started listening to Selena’s ‘Como La Flor’ at the same time that I was also listening to a lot of Cocteau Twins. I had the idea then to try to combine both of their sounds somehow, which felt a bit strange, but also felt like it was coming from a genuine place of rediscovering & finally connecting with the music that I heard around me in my youth.”
"Tejano Blue" is available today via All DSPs, and Cigarettes After Sex's new LP, X's, is out July 12th via Partisan Records.
My Live Nation members can be among the first to secure tickets to the New Zealand show during the exclusive presale starting 10am, Wednesday 6 March. Tickets go on sale at 10am, Friday 8 March. For complete tour and ticketing info, visit: livenation.co.nz
CRS and Live Nation in association with 95bFM present Cigarettes After Sex. Touring New Zealand in March 2025.
CIGARETTES AFTER SEX X’S WORLD TOUR DATES
NEW ZEALAND
SPARK ARENA, AUCKLAND – WEDNESDAY 19 MARCH 2025
F.O.L.A. [AKL] proudly presents: STILL LIVES: AUCKLAND A scrum suspended in time, unravelling the personal stories of female rugby players - a site-specific performance art installation
In Still Lives: Auckland, artists Luke George (Naarm/Melbourne) and Daniel Kok (Singapore/Berlin) work with eight female-identifying rugby players, using ropes to tie their bodies together, re-creating one half of an interlocking scrum.
Following acclaimed runs in Shanghai, Taipei, Venice, and Melbourne, New Zealand audiences are invited to assemble for this free durational artwork in the Concert Chamber of Tāmaki Makaurau's iconic Town Hall and witness the process of creating this tableau where players are transformed into living sculptures on a grand scale.
Still Lives is a site-specific performance art installation series, in which artists ‘capture’ with ropes a significant moment or movement in relation to its cultural context. Binding bodies in their place allows new conversations to emerge and unveil hidden narratives regarding local history, social bonds and personal attachments.
The performance will involve the entire creation of the installation, from the first piece of rope being tied onto a player to the last piece being taken off. The public is invited to arrive at any time, sit where they like, and view from different vantage points. The artists will collaborate with a lighting and sound designer, creating a visual and sonic atmosphere that references the game and stadium itself.
Connections between art and sport, tensions experienced by the players in the game they love, and the culture of teamwork and cohesion in rugby becomes an object of reflection. Urgent issues, such as sexism, racism, homophobia and transphobia within sporting culture are also revealed through the knotty negotiation between bodies.
Recruitment is currently underway for the eight female-identifying rugby players with producers Nisha Madhan and Julia Croft receiving assistance in this process by Jo Caird, the first official photographer for the All Blacks.
“The evolution of women's rugby has so often mirrored the journey of women in society beginning with the games pioneers in the 1980’s who fought for the right to play through to the recent RWC2021 which filled the national stadium of Eden Park for the World Cup Final”, says Jo Caird.
Four female-identifying rugby players are confirmed, with further four yet to be announced. Confirmed names include former Black Fern and Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit Rochelle Martin; freelance sports journalist and podcast host Alice Soper; Auckland Storm player Kelvery Longopoa and Black Fern Vita Dryden.
“These eight women will all have been part of the struggle and their individual stories give an unique insight into the heart of Womens rugby. How rugby was a truly safe space for them to be themselves, a chance to be seen and heard. A place where they could express themselves, be physical and confrontational and yet also be supported by their team. Rugby requires participants to put their body on the line for each other” continues Jo Caird.
As part of this performance installation a series of video portraits, which will explore and highlight each player’s personal journey with rugby, its meaning in their lives, and the challenges they have faced wil be created.
Artists Luke George and Daniel Kok share “Ropes lend themselves well to the unravelling of human relationships. In Still Lives: Auckland, we invite you to join us in untangling the knots in a diverse community, strengthening communal bonds, and weaving together a social fabric that works for contemporary times. This is the first time we are presenting our work in Aotearoa. It is a privilege for us to be hosted and to participate in the intricate cultural conversations."
This project aims to attract a broad range of audiences and a cross-section of the community, from people who love art to people who love sport, LGBTQIA+ folks, and those into or curious about bondage. The practice of care that the artists and rugby players engage with each other will be a blueprint for how this diverse temporary community might share and make space for each other.
On experiencing Still Lives: Melbourne in 2022, Australian journalist Jill Stark shared it was "a near spiritual experience…watching the kind of art that moves you in ways you can’t quite find the words to express. In a city where football is a religion it was fitting that art should intersect so powerfully with sport in the Still Lives installation.”
STILL LIVES: AUCKLAND
Saturday 30 March
Concert Chamber, Auckland Town Hall
Start time: 5:30 pm End time: 8:00 pm
Cost: Free
PEARL JAM ADDS SECOND AUCKLAND SHOW TO THEIR DARK MATTER WORLD TOUR TO MEET REMARKABLE DEMAND
Following an incredible fan response to last week’s announcement of the Dark Matter World Tour 2024, Pearl Jam has today announced an additional show in Auckland.
The group’s long-awaited ten-year return will now include second night at Auckland’s Go Media Stadium, Mt Smart on Sunday, November 10. First show on Friday 8 November is now sold out. If you received a code, your code is valid for the new show.
Tickets are on sale now from Ticketmaster.co.nz.
PEARL JAM DARK MATTER WORLD TOUR
NEW ZEALAND 2024
With special guest PIXIES
GO MEDIA STADIUM, AUCKLAND FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8 - SOLD OUT
GO MEDIA STADIUM, AUCKLAND SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10 – NEW SHOW
TOFIGA, NZ’S HUMBLE KING OF COMEDY ANNOUNCES A BRAND NEW LIVE SHOW PERFORMING ONE NIGHT ONLY IN TĀMAKI MAKAURAU
Tofiga Fepulea’i, has graced screens and stages across Aotearoa and beyond for more than two decades and this April will bring his brand new show ‘I Love You Full Speed No Brakes’ to Auckland's Kiri Te Kanawa theatre for one night only.
Off the back of a run of sold out shows across Australia and his sell out show at the 2021 NZ International Comedy Festival, Tofiga will be joined on stage by two more of the world’s top Samoan/NZ stand up comedians, James Nokise and Bubbah. Tickets go on sale from 9am Friday via Ticketmaster and tapliveevents.com.
"I'm absolutely stoked to bring my brand new show to Tāmaki Makaurau and can't wait to perform live again in the beautiful Kiri Te Kanawa" says Tofiga Fepulea’i.
A truly beloved figure in the Pasifika community, Tofiga has delighted generations of audiences with his standup comedic genius, acting, musicianship and broadcasting skills. Tofiga first rose to stardom as one half of the iconic The Laughing Samoans, alongside Etuati Ete. Tofiga’s inspirations are drawn from his old-school upbringing in Samoa, his experiences as a Pacific Islander in New Zealand, and his transition into fatherhood with three young teenage sons.
James Nokise was awarded NZ’s highest comedy honour, The Fred in 2021. He hilariously speaks truth to power by digging into politics, everyday life and growing up as the son of a Minster. Nokise is also an acclaimed theatre maker, playwright, columnist and renowned social commentator.
Bubbah is a Samoan-New Zealand, Māngere-proud comedian with a wicked sense of humour and no filter. Easily recognised from Taskmaster NZ, Double Parked, Duckrockers, Guy Montgomery's Guy Mont-Spelling Bee and as the iconic Tina from Tuners, Bubbah has been selling out shows in her backyard and in theatres in Tamaki.
‘I Love You Full Speed No Brakes’ is proudly presented by TAP Live Events, a new champion of NZ comedy aiming to raise the bar of live comedy experiences for both performances and audiences, led by founders Tim Batt and Paul Link.
FULL LENGTH TRAILER FOR ‘THE MOUNTAIN’ RELEASED
The full length feature trailer for Rachel House’s (Ngāti Mutunga, Te Atiawa, Kāi Tahu) directorial debut, The Mountain has been released today ahead of the film’s nationwide release on 28th March.
Following on from a previously released teaser trailer, the clip offers a greater glimpse at the soulful and humorous story penned by House and Tom Furniss.
Audiences have responded in their droves to the teaser trailer, with online comments such as: “This film is making me nostalgic”, “My heart is bursting”, “I'm grinning like a big kid and can't wait to see this”, and ‘“this film looks like everything I need”.
The Mountain is a heartfelt drama about three children on a mission to find healing under the watchful eye of Taranaki Maunga (Mountain) and discover friendship in the spirit of adventure.
Director Rachel House commented: “I reckon friendship can see you through just about anything and that’s what our perfectly flawed trio of misfits discover.”
Sam, a fearless young girl raised outside of her Māori culture, is determined to fulfill her mission of connecting with her mountain in the hope they can heal her from the cancer she battles. Along the way she meets some misfits and new kids in town – Mallory, hoping to find friends, any kind of friends - and Bronco who claims to be a runaway from his dad who is too busy to notice him. As they make their way through the difficult “off the beaten track” route, they learn the true spirit of adventure and the magic of friendship.
The Mountain is the acting debuts of three children, Elizabeth Atkinson (Te Atiawa, Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Koata, Ngāti Tama, Kāi Tahu), Reuben Francis, and Terence Daniel (Ngāti Kahungunu, Raukawa ki Wharepūhunga, Kuki Airani – Aitutaki) in the leading roles.
They are joined by Troy Kingi (Te Arawa, Ngāpuhi, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui) (Muru), Byron Coll (Nude Tuesday), Fern Sutherland (Brokenwood Mysteries), and Sukena Shah.
The film is made with funding from the New Zealand Film Commission, the New Zealand Government’s Screen Production Grant (re-named Rebate), NZ On Air, Whaakata Māori, Department of Post, Native Audio, Nude Run, Hillfarrance and financed in association with Kiwibank. The film is distributed in New Zealand by Madman and Piki Films and in Australia by Madman.
The Mountain will be released across the country on Thursday 28 March.
BEN HOWARD LIVE IN AOTEAROA
British musician and gripping performer singer/songwriter Ben Howard will make his much-anticipated return to Aotearoa this June bringing his powerful live show and storied catalogue to delight kiwi audiences.
Almost 10 years since his sell out show at the Auckland Town Hall in 2014, the English singer/songwriter will play Auckland’s Town Hall on Monday 3rd June. The Secret Sounds, Live Nation and Ticketmaster presales will begin on Friday 9th Feb at 11am with general tickets on sale from Monday 12th February at 12pm. This one off Auckland date will come off the back of his multiple sell out shows across Australia with new shows just announced. Tickets are available from Livenation.co.nz.
Ben Howard released his triple platinum debut album, Every Kingdom back in 2011. As adept with an acoustic as he is with the electronics that have peppered and punctuated his recordings since that impressive debut, Howard now operates largely in a world and sound of his own making.
Howard released his fifth studio album Is It? In June 2023, marking a new chapter full of highly textured, experimental pop songs that identify another shift of sonics for this acclaimed and most unpredictable of British artists. Is It? Followed 2021’s Collections From The Whiteout which debuted at #1 in the UK album chart (Ben’s second chart-topping record after 2014’s I Forget Where We Were).
Is It? was recorded over 10 days In the Le Manoir de Léon studios, nestled between Bordeaux and Biarritz in the South of France. Produced by Bullion (Westerman, Nilüfer Yanya, Orlando Weeks), the ten-song record is a lush and sonically splintered album which captures Ben working through some intense moments resulting in one of his most upbeat and uplifting records in years – and audiences will get to experience it live, along with songs from Ben’s entire celebrated catalogue.
Described by The Times as “spellbinding, transcendental even”, Ben Howard and his expansive band’s intense live show captivate and mesmerises audiences as they light up stages across the country. Howard’s fierce desire to operate in and out of the shadows make both his music and live shows a rare but vital proposition. Don’t miss Ben Howard live this June.
LEGENDARY HIP HOP GROUP HOME BREW PERFORM AT LANEWAY 2024 + ANDYHEARTTHROB JOINS THE BILL
After an 11 year hiatus, the legendary Aotearoa hip-hop group Home Brew are back with their first new album in over a decade. Laneway Festival is thrilled to announce that Home Brew will be continuing their long-awaited reunion at Laneway Festival for an Auckland-exclusive show.
Breaking their indefinite hiatus, Tom Scott and Haz Beats have released ‘Run it Back’, their first album in over 10 years. Set to be arguably the biggest hip-hop release in Aotearoa this year, fans will be able to hear it in Tāmaki Makaurau exclusively at Laneway Festival. ‘Run it Back’ comes off the back of the 2023 re-release of their self-titled debut album which earned the pair another #1 in the NZ Top 40 Charts and confirmed their continuous cultural importance in Aotearoa.
Andyheartthrob will also join the 2024 bill that now features 27 international and local artists across a vast range of genres. Not just a DJ, Andy is an ethereal force within the scene in Aotearoa. With Māori, Tahitian, Cook Island, and Scottish roots, Andy grew up and continues to reside in our multifaceted and diverse Tāmaki Makaurau. With a mission to connect everyone through music and culture, Andy wants to inspire people to step into their light, power, and Mana. As well as being a DJ in her own right, she is very involved and active in Tāmaki’s Dynasty Collective; a platform for creative women of colour.
With no sideshows, Laneway Festival is the only place to see the Laneway Festival lineup in New Zealand this summer. Get your tickets now from lanewayfestival.com.au/auckland
Full lineup:
Stormzy – Steve Lacy**
Dominic Fike
Unknown Mortal Orchestra
AJ Tracey – Cordae – d4vd** – Dope Lemon – Eyedress** – Faye Webster**
Home Brew – horsegiirL – Nia Archives – Paris Texas** – Raye** - Skin On Skin
Andyheartthrob – Atarangi – Blondshell** – Church – Daily J – DOMi & JD BECK** –
Erny Belle – Hanbee – Hemlocke Springs ** – Molly Payton – Pretty Girl**
** First New Zealand show
Laneway Festival 2024:
AUCKLAND / Tamaki Makaurau (MA16)
Tuesday 6 February
Western Springs
CHELSEA HANDLER ANNOUNCES 2024 LITTLE BIG BITCH TOUR
GRAMMY-nominated comedian, television host, best-selling author and advocate Chelsea Handler today announces her 2024 Little Big Bitch New Zealand Tour.
Produced by Live Nation, the Little Big Bitch tour will be Handler’s first return down under since 2019 and will see her perform one night only in Auckland and Wellington this July.
General on sale starts 12pm Wednesday 13 December. My Live Nation members can access tickets first during the My Live Nation presale starting 11am Tuesday 12 December until 11am Wednesday 13 December. Tickets and tour info at livenation.co.nz.
Chelsea Handler is a comedian, television host, six-time New York Times best-selling author and advocate whose humour and candour have established her as one of the most celebrated voices in entertainment and pop culture. After a strong seven-year run as the host of E!’s top-rated Chelsea Lately, a tenure in which she was the only female late-night talk show host on-air, she launched her documentary series Chelsea Does followed by her talk show Chelsea on Netflix in 2016. She has penned six New York Times best-selling books, five of which have reached #1, including 2019’s Life Will Be the Death of Me.
In 2021, she launched her iHeart Radio advice podcast, Dear Chelsea, and embarked on the Vaccinated and Horny Tour, bringing her sensational stand-up set to over 90 cities with 115 shows across North America, winning “The Comedy Act of 2021” at the People’s Choice Awards. Following the success of her 2020 HBO Max comedy special Evolution, which earned Chelsea a Grammy nomination for Best Comedy Album, Handler made her return to Netflix with her critically acclaimed 2022 comedy special Revolution. Handler is currently on her 2023 stand-up tour, Little Big Bitch.
CHELSEA HANDLER
LITTLE BIG BITCH TOUR
NEW ZEALAND
AUCKLAND, TOWN HALL FRIDAY JULY 5
WELLINGTON, ST JAMES THEATRE SATURDAY JULY 6
TICKETS ON SALE 12PM WEDNESDAY 13 DECEMBER
MY LIVE NATION PRESALE STARTS 11AM TUESDAY 12 DECEMBER – 11AM WEDNESDAY 13 DECEMBER