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A pumping crowd at Meow Bar in Wellington. (Photo: Supplied)
A pumping crowd at Meow Bar in Wellington. (Photo: Supplied)

WellingtonJuly 1, 2024

How to know if you’re in the know: A guide to Wellington’s underground music scene

A pumping crowd at Meow Bar in Wellington. (Photo: Supplied)
A pumping crowd at Meow Bar in Wellington. (Photo: Supplied)

If you want to be the cool friend in the group chat that always seems to know about secret shows and underground gigs, here’s where to look. 

Every week seems to kick off with that one dreaded question from your coworker. “So, what did you get up to this weekend?”. There’s only so many times you can say you rotted in bed while doom scrolling on TikTok before it gets concerning. 

In a place like Wellington, there are countless shows and events to go to each week. But we live in an attention economy, with a constant overload of information and content and not enough time to consume it all. It’s overwhelming trying to keep up with all the events around town, especially those that seem to fly under the mainstream radar. 

We all hear about the large events that happen at TSB Arena or the Opera House, but what about those smaller gigs at a bar or basement venue you’ve never heard of – the ones where you can discover a rising local band before everyone else? How can you actually find out about some of those more underground gigs that are happening around town? Here is a master list of places to look to find out about the latest gigs. 

The Image 04

The Image 04 is the true MVP of the Wellington gig scene. Each Tuesday, a mysterious poster uploads a gig guide for the week ahead, broken down by venue and featuring illustrations from local artists. It usually includes details for larger events coming up later in the year, such as Eyegum’s Great Sounds Great festival. I personally love the bottom section of each graphic detailing some of the more obscure events, like gigs at Welsh Dragon, Bedlam and Squalor, or Thistle Hall. Follow them on Instagram, subscribe to their Substack to get it straight to your inbox, or even go analogue and print out a copy from their website to stick on the fridge. 

Under the Radar

Under the Radar is the veteran hero of the New Zealand music scene. The website showcases local artists that may not show up on your Spotify algorithm. You can read about the hottest releases from some of the nation’s smaller known artists, as well as find tickets to gigs in your area. I mean, where else can you score a cheap ticket and read a ranking of the best cold ones in Aotearoa?

Under the Radar’s primary focus has always been on uplifting artists that do not get mainstream attention or who, dare I say, fly under the radar. They do a fantastic job of keeping punters up to date with everything happening in the music scene, including by publishing interesting artist interviews that actually make you give a shit. 

RadioActive 88.6FM 

This just in: the trend forecast is saying that supporting your local independent radio station is so hot this season. RadioActive has been a pillar of the community for decades, and a go-to station in any car without an aux cord for years. Founded in the ’70s as Victoria University’s student radio station, RadioActive was the second station in New Zealand ever to broadcast in FM. The students association decided to axe its funding back in the ’90s, but a group of DJs purchased the station to continue broadcasting. Tune in online or on the airwaves to hear a great array of tunes, both local and international. 

The RadioActive crew in 2022 (Image: Supplied)

Independent stations like RadioActive are the gateway for many local artists to showcase their talents and get their music out there. RadioActive runs live sessions and artist interviews, and is involved in local events like CubaDupa and the Newtown Festival. The stations’s Activity Guide lists all the hot events coming up, and broadcasters read it out on air three times a day. Even if you don’t have access to a physical radio, there’s nothing stopping you from chucking on the online stream and finding some new music you might not have otherwise heard. 

Posters 

I admit, I tend to walk around town staring at my phone. But lately, I’ve been trying to make more time to be present and take in my surroundings instead of being caught up in social media/my own delusions – and let me tell you, it’s pretty worthwhile. There are heaps of eye-catching and informative posters plastered around, especially from venues like Moon or Meow detailing all their upcoming shows. But the greatest treasure lurks even deeper. I’m talking about those A4 printouts stuck to a random power pole for some band you’ve never heard of. You know, the big bollards outside Haere Mai on Victoria St, opposite the Night ‘n Day on Cuba St, inside most shop windows or on every pole down in Left Bank Arcade. Once you start looking, they’re everywhere. Go outside, be more observant, and you might just stumble on a really great gig. 

Facebook 

Facebook is a lawless place. Once you’ve scrolled past the endless updates fromthe  someone you spoke to once in Year 7 and AI-generated photos of babies in flower pots, you can stumble upon the shining beacon that are Facebook event pages. Almost every show you can think of will have a Facebook event made for it, and honestly, it’s kinda great. You’ll find all the relevant details, the set times, and a scalper jacking up the price of a ticket all in one convenient place. Just head to the events tab and search for events in your area, and you’ll find a goldmine of different gigs. As much as I would love to be freed from Zuckerberg’s shackles, I fear he may have popped his zussy with this one. 

Venues 

All of Wellington’s venues offer a different kind of gig. Valhalla is the go-to spot for metal or hardcore gigs, grimy floors and all. San Fran hosts Eyegum Wednesdays, a free gig that’s a great way to introduce yourself to local acts. Meow cultivates a great night out with a wide range of genres – jazz, rock, alternative, electronic and more. Vogelmorn has a cosy, intimate vibe which is perfect for these wintery nights. Pyramid Club focuses more on the electronic and experimental space, and hosts a range of sonic art exhibitions. Rogue and Vagabond does a great jazz nights most Sundays, so you can treat yourself to some smooth jazz and curly fries.  

San Fran is one of Wellington’s most popular venues.

Much like artists, venues need our love too. When you go to an underground gig, you’re not just supporting the artist but also the hosts and the wider arts community. If the last couple of years have taught us anything, it’s that support matter. It can be as simple as showing up to a show and letting the artists you enjoy what they do and the art they make. Check out the opening or closing acts, meet some new people out in the audience, and enjoy a reasonably priced beer. Who knows, maybe you’ll catch the next Fat Freddy’s Drop or The Beths playing at a random Eyegum Wednesday.

Keep going!
Protestors at the long term plan meeting on thursday.
Protestors at the long term plan meeting on thursday.

OPINIONWellingtonJuly 1, 2024

Windbag: Is it time to write Tory Whanau’s political obituary?

Protestors at the long term plan meeting on thursday.
Protestors at the long term plan meeting on thursday.

A Labour councillor says selling the airport will end the Wellington mayor’s career. But it may not be that simple.

Last Thursday’s Wellington City Council meeting was convened to finalise the long term plan – including the contentious decision to sell the council’s 34% stake in Wellington International Airport. It was the ugliest meeting I’ve ever seen. There were anger, insults, outrage, councillors talking over each other and a jeering crowd of protestors.

The chaos of the Andy Foster years was a tough act to follow, but this meeting managed to outdo it by a country mile. There has always been political division in Wellington local body politics, but now it is deeper, more complex, and personal.

Mayor Tory Whanau managed to pass her long-term plan by the slimmest of margins, 9-7. But it has left a bitter taste in the mouths of many councillors and supporters.

Left-leaning councillors Ben McNulty, Nureddin Abdurahman, and Nīkau Wi Neera, the so-called Airport Three, attempted to introduce a last-minute amendment to halt the airport sale.

As chair of the meeting, Whanau quickly struck down the amendment, refusing to bring it to a vote. “Outrageous,” Wi Neera muttered repeatedly. The crowd of protestors from Unions Wellington gathered in the public gallery booed and laughed at the mayor. Whanau snapped at them: “Can I ask the gallery to calm yourselves?”

That moment symbolised the end of a political partnership. The Green mayor was at bitter odds with a crowd of union members. Whanau looked frustrated. It was evident in the way she conducted the meeting. She knew her power was slipping, and she was white-knuckling her way through the process, shutting down debate and being uncharacteristically blunt. There was no attempt to reach a consensus. She just wanted to get it done.

In his speech, McNulty came out swinging at fellow Labour councillors and the mayor. “Today is the beginning of the end of a number of political careers,” he predicted. “This long term plan is a political obituary.” He read out texts allegedly from Green Party members stating they would not vote to re-select Whanau as the party candidate, opting to campaign for a Labour candidate instead. Wi Neera similarly labelled it as a betrayal of party volunteers. Abdurahman called it “undemocratic, crappy, sugar-coated poison”.

The airport sale has brought the emotions out like no other local debate in a long time. For unionists, it is a deeply felt issue hearkening back to the central government asset sales of the 1980s and ’90s. It won’t be easily forgotten.

But will this really be the issue that brings down Tory Whanau’s mayoralty? It’s certainly possible. But if she had lost the vote on Thursday, it could have been much worse. Failing to pass a long term plan wouldn’t just be a political blunder, it would have had serious legal implications. It could have given local government minister Simeon Brown cause to appoint commissioners or Crown observers. It would have been a political embarrassment that defined Whanau’s mayoralty. Making some unpopular decisions is survivable; being seen as an incompetent failure is not.

‘Hutt Valley, Kāpiti, down to the south coast. Our Wellington coverage is powered by members.’
Joel MacManus
— Wellington editor

As passionate as some activists are, the airport sale isn’t necessarily an issue that resonates with a broad swath of voters. The council only owns a 34% stake, not enough to have any proper control. There are some compelling arguments in favour of selling the airport: it would diversify the council’s holdings and create more insurance headroom. A private owner may actually be better for the airport’s growth, and the council would still be the consenting authority. Whanau will have to hope most voters see the sale as pragmatic centrism – or simply don’t care that much either way.

A Labour candidate (whoever that may be) is in a stronger position to win the next mayoral election than ever before. But there is still a path to victory for Whanau. The centre is a very broad area, especially in local politics, where most people aren’t that engaged and their stances are fairly malleable. In Wellington, green-tinged centrism could be a winning formula. Whanau could mould herself into a business-friendly teal candidate who is pragmatic but still assuages voters’ concerns about climate change and social issues. It’s also worth remembering, Wellington city council has an STV voting system. Being the most popular second choice counts for a lot.

The airport sale issue will play out until December, when the council will have to decide on the details of the sale. Who will buy the shares, how much will they sell for, and what kind of investment fund will they be transferred to? It’s still possible the deal could die if the right buyer doesn’t emerge. The Airport Three insist they’re not giving up, so things could get messier still.

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