The Spinoff’s top picks of events from around the motu.
Today, NZ Music Month Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa turns 25 – younger than me but a whole quarter century old. Before that, from 1997, it was NZ Music Week, complete with the iconic black and white target which may have been intended to look like a CD. As palatable and funded as it is today, it exists because in the 90s there was a reticence to play local music on radio stations. Its just another manifestation of our cultural cringe (internalised inferiority complex), no surprises here. The proportion of airtime New Zealand music gets has dramatically risen, though the bar – 1.6% in 1995 – was set extremely low, like a wrinkle in old carpet. It’s hard to measure how much we’re cringing now, but in any case, this month should be all about treating our ears and bodies to local sounds.
Music: Kaitaia MetalFest 4
Collards Tavern, Corner SH 1 & Whangatane Drive, Kaitaia
7pm Saturday, May 3
$22.50
For many ears and brains, heavy metal is too abrasive to listen to while working or relaxing. You need to see it at its peak and in its element – a heavy metal festival in the Far North. This is the fourth year of MetalFest, and it has been put together with much love. This shows on the tip-top and varied line up – some of the country’s best metalheads are in town this weekend.
The headliners, Captured Kings from Wellington, promise an intense mix of hair metal, punk/trash and death metal. Then, among others, there’s the technical grindcore band Skumlord from the Bay of Islands, Auckland DJ Blank Flag who has an eclectic mix of goodies, local legends FNA with their “no-frills, all-thrills presence” and a band I wouldn’t miss, Fork, an all teen girl, hard hitting trio from Waipu.
I’d put my money on betting that head-banging and screaming along will fill you with happiness and clarity. Wear ear protection.
Northland
Music: Ebb and Flow, The Chamber Music Collective
Whangarei Cruising Club, 212 Riverside Drive, Parahaki, Whangārei
2pm Saturday, May 4
$15
Can’t think of anything nicer than staring out at the sea while collective play their unique blend of classical and folk music.
Auckland
Film: Mother Tongue: a Sri Lankan Food Story
The Capitol, 610 Dominion Road, Balmoral
3pm Sunday, May 4
$12 – $15
A sweet, locally made documentary about two friends who shared Sri Lankan feasts in Ōtepoti travelling back home to find out where that food came from.
Music: M0ppy, For The Girl Who Has Everything, SCRAN, Mammalien and SANG
Whammy Bar, St Kevins Arcade, 183 Karangahape Road
8pm Saturday, May 3
$10 – 15
Seemingly all of Auckland’s finest musicians (seriously, FIVE bands) all in one night!
Central North Island
Visual art: We are all future ancestors, Renee Cosgrave
Ramp Gallery, Wintec Te Pūkenga’s School of Media Arts, 111 Collingwood Street, Hamilton Central
10am – 2pm Wednesday – Friday until May 5
Free
New paintings by Renee Cosgrave (Ngāti Tūwharetoa), many completed since the recent birth of her first child.
Music: Palmy Punk Fest
The Stomach, 84 Lombard Street, Palmerston North
8pm Saturday, May 3
$10
Make sure to see Dole Bludger.
Wellington
Music: ‘your face says it all’ single release, Dropper, Mudgoose and Half/Angel
Dom Polski, 257 Riddiford Street, Newtown
8pm Friday, May 2
$10
Power pop quartet Dropper with “ear bleeding country” act Mudgoose and post punk/noise rock influenced Half/Angel.
Comedy: Grifted and Talented, Jim Fishwick and guests
Te Auaha, 65 Dixon Street
9:45pm May 7 – 10
$20 – $26
ComedyFest has begun! This show is “very silly”, similar to Taskmaster, and features established and emerging comedians, musicians and other performers – so you get a taste of the whole festival in one bite.
Blenheim
Music: Pizazz and special guest Tristian Gregory-Hunt
Fidelio Cafe & Wine Bar, 2 Sinclair Road, Mayfield, Blenheim
6:30pm Friday, May 2
Free (or the cost of a drink or two)
Enjoy Pizazz’s laid-back jazz repertoire and classic rock songs with a special touch of saxophone.
Ōtautahi
Music: Bonnie & Clyde EP release show, Harry Burt
Space Academy, 371 St Asaph St, Central Christchurch
8pm Thursday, May 1
$10
Expect clever lyricism and a high-energy performance from the local singer-songwriter and his band.
Ōtepoti
Music: Miracles album release, Dr. Reknaw
The Crown Hotel, 179 Rattray Street, Dunedin
8pm Saturday, May 3
$25
“Miracles is undoubtedly like anything you’ve heard before, a seamless collection of reggae, soul, folk, worship and dance music, and as always the vocals and harmonies of the two front woman sisters are ethereal and enchanting.”
Southland
Music: Sean Kelly and the Super 8s
The Lyric Theatre, 92 Torea Street, Granity
6:30pm Saturday, May 3
$20 – $25
Stories, whistles, bodhrán, guitar and cello with a Super 8 backdrop.
