Industry
NZ On Air is changing its music funding strategy, with a greater focus on helping New Zealand artists develop their careers, grow audiences and access international opportunities. The updated strategy introduces several changes to existing funding programmes, alongside new initiatives designed to support artists at different stages of their careers.
Interview
Right throughout high school I took music as a subject. There were a small number of other students who stayed the course. One of them was Veronika Bell. She was a singer with a specific interest in opera. It was unlike anything I'd heard before. The first time
Review
Trouble is an album written, sung and produced by Louis Baker himself from his studio in Titahi Bay, with fellow creatives and musicians helping bring his vision to life through instrumentation, production and artwork. It’s a project that wears its independence proudly, balancing standout tracks with quieter moments that
Daily use of Spotify has fallen among New Zealand audiences, while new research from NZ On Air suggests there remains a significant appetite for local music – provided listeners can find it. The findings come from the 2026 Where Are the Audiences? report, conducted by Verian for NZ On Air. The
Many artists are aware of the change in landscape brought about by digital media and how it has pushed the majority of creatives to do a lot more than just make art. There is a growing demand for artists to not only stay relevant through what they create, but also
Nobody told me when I was starting out about the highest cost of being an indie artist in New Zealand. It's the hushed secret told behind closed doors. The opinion you dilute with an extra hot espresso and an inner mantra of "she'll be '
AUCKLAND, NZ - Independent music platform Empty Spaces has announced a new subscription model designed to strengthen support for local music journalism while creating a more connected and sustainable ecosystem for artists and industry. The Industry tier, priced at NZ$40 per month, is built for publicists, promotors, managers and labels
A new international study has found New Zealanders dream of becoming a DJ more than any other job. The research, carried out by Remitly, analysed Google search data across more than 140 countries, tracking how often people searched “how to be a [job]” to uncover the careers people are most
This may ruffle a few feathers. There have been a number of renown New Zealand music businesses closing their doors in recent weeks. Neck of the Woods and Flying Out Records to name but a few. It is sad, and each is a unique loss, impacting the fabric of our
Fresh tracks, and the stories that matter in Aotearoa’s evolving scene.
Empty Spaces is giving readers the chance to see Day We Ran live at The Tuning Fork in Auckland on Sunday 27 December. One double pass is up for grabs. Day We Ran are a rising guitar driven alternative rock band fresh off the release of their debut EP Naked
Pieces of Molly have a pretty clear idea of what rock ’n’ roll should sound like. Their new album, DON’T TAKE ME TO THE DISCO, is a hard-hitting reminder of that, with the Ōtautahi band pushing back against the watered-down version of rock they reckon has taken
After a year of growth, international shows and new opportunities, Jordyn With A Why has dropped Where You Water, an EP rooted in collaboration and community. Recorded live at Parachute’s Studio A, the release captures a familiar side of her songwriting, with a growing confidence in her sound and
What happens when you take a song you know inside out and turn it into something you’d never expect? That’s the idea behind Beyond the Beat, which returns for a second season with artists reworking some of Aotearoa’s best-known songs. At the centre of it all
For Kiwi artists, Australia offers the potential for a larger audience and culture that is close to home. Sydney-based Kiwi collective SUB-TRIBE have released their six-track MANA EP, marking a new chapter with Loop Recordings. The release sees the group push their roots reggae and dub sound
On a Saturday afternoon in Tāmaki Makaurau, Jesus Christ Superstar delivered an electrifying rock n roll power performance at the Civic. Ahead of the show I'd heard positive feedback, so I had reasonably high expectations off the bat. We took the rail and got off at new Te
Artists occupy a unique space within the intangible realms of existence. Notably, the world around the music - the perception of identity that is associated with a certain song or artist. Today, it is one of the key reasons someone will listen to a song. As such, a lot of artists
Life has strange ways of working. Sometimes all you can do is follow your heart and trust the process. For singer songwriter Joseph G. Thompson, this notion says it all. Previously touring as Joseph & Maia, the couple had settled in NZ to raise a family and build a pizzeria
I get sent a lot of music. Most of it is fantastic. Every now and then there is a song that really stands out above the rest. Last week I recieved a track called Nettle Song and it truly hit the mark. The song itself is delicate, beautiful and haunting
Kings of Leon will return to New Zealand in February 2027, headlining Live At The Domain in Auckland on Wednesday 24 February, with Australian rock band Ocean Alley joining as special guests. The concert follows the announcement of Kings of Leon’s 10th studio album, O My Beloved, due out
Fiona & The Glow will play three South Island shows to celebrate the release of ‘While I Drift’, the second single from their upcoming EP Infinity. The band will perform at Pearl Diver in Ōtepoti Dunedin on Thursday 22 October, Threes & Sevens in Waihōpai Invercargill on Friday 23 October,
VIP (Very Important Persian) marks a standout new era for CHAII, immersing her in a realm entirely of her own while staying true to the artistry and mystique that have defined her work. Emerging from the world of Planet Persia is not only her new 14-track second album, but
