Interview
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
Music
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
Review
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
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.
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
Medicine and music are not often mentioned in the same sentence. But perhaps they should be? After all doesn't music have a healing power of its own. At least that's what Dr Jordan Hunter Hyland says. As a registered GP he's seen a lot
Aotearoa music group LEAO have won the 2026 APRA Silver Scroll Award for LALELEI, becoming the first act to win the prestigious songwriting award with a song written entirely in Gagana Samoa. The award was presented at the 61st annual APRA Silver Scroll Awards at Tāmaki Makaurau’s Kiri Te
Sophie-Maude is making the most of her 20s. Her recently released single, Be Something, is all about making it count. The track was inspired by summer flings, traveling, and people who stay with us long after they’re gone. The video appropriately captures this vibe, following four friends on
Putting on a music festival is not an easy undertaking. Three years ago a group of mates in their early 20s did just that. The event pulled 350 attendees in what was essentially a new years party with a bunch of bands. But the organisers had the ambition and the
A$AP Rocky will return to New Zealand for the first time in eight years, bringing his Don’t Be Dumb World Tour to Auckland’s Spark Arena on Saturday 12 December. The show, presented by Mai FM and promoted by Live Nation, will feature tracks from Rocky’s fourth
Silky smooth beats, undeniable hooks and clean feel-good production. For a self-confessed pop nerd, the latest track from Auckland based DJ/producer/artist romiin is quite simply what dreams are made of. Already with a reputation for slick R&B jams, one at a time see'
