Highly Suspect takes Auckland’s Spark Arena for a Sunday Rock ‘n’ Roll ride
Photo Gallery and review by Jennifer de Koning . As a concert photographer, I have been to hundreds of local and international shows in the last few years, but tonight I was looking forward to walking through Spark Arena’s doors to watch a masterclass of performance...
LISTEN IN – THE RISE OF THE LOWER-BILLED ACTS
Listen In took place on a Friday evening this year. We arrived around 7pm due to work, as it seemed like most people did. Queues were huge, to the point they turned they VIP line into a general line – so much for VIP. Hopefully it helped though. As we got in we...
J BALVIN BRINGS LATIN ENERGY TO AOTEAROA WITH A CROWD TO MATCH!
REVIEW + PHOTOS BY SHELLEY TE HAARA . I have to admit, I kept forgetting it was a Sunday. We’ve had a lot of shows at the start or mid week but haven’t had a Sunday one for a while. A couple of queues were forming outside Spark Arena as people started making their way...
GRETA VAN FLEET in aotearoa – A VISUAL RECAP!
PHOTOS BY JENNIFER DE KONING . . THE VELVETEERS INCREDIBLE ENERGY AND THE PERFECT BAND TO KICK OFF THE SHOW! . . . . . GRETA VAN FLEET SUCH AN INCREDIBLE BAND BOTH VISUALLY AND MUSICALLY - WHAT A SHOW! . .
BADFLOWER – A WILD SCHOOL NIGHT IN AUCKLAND!
BADFLOWER BOUGHT A FUN AND WILD SHOW TO THE TUNING FORK ON A SCHOOL NIGHT - THE HANGING FROM THE RAFTER AND HIGH ENERGY WOULD HAVE DEFINITELY GOT EVERYONE THROUGH UNTIL THE END OF THE WEEK!CHECK OUT PHOTOS FROM THE SHOW BELOW - TAKEN BY JENNIFER DE KONING. . VANA ....
PHOTO GALLERY: DAYSEEKER SMASH THEIR FIRST NZ SHOW!
PHOTOS BY JENNIFER DE KONING . Dayseeker played an incredible couple of shows here in Aotearoa. Both SOLD OUT with merch flying out the door as well. The band were incredible live and hearing those powerful vocals live is something else. I have to say, I appreciate...
AOTEAROA MUSIC AWARDS 2024 – A PHOTO GALLERY
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JENNIFER DE KONING .
MACKLEMORE SAYS FREE PALESTINE & DELIVERS AN INCREDIBLE SHOW IN TAMAKI MAKAURAU
I have been to every NZ show Macklemore has previously done, well every Auckland show at least and one Wellington. I need to double check that. But it has been a long time since he has graced our shores. Obviously he came here for Friday Jams but I’m talking headline...
HALESTORM MAKE A TRIUMPHANT RETURN TO TAMAKI MAKARAU!
PHOTOS BY JENNIFER DE KONING . BLACK SMOKE TRIGGER . . . HALESTORM .
Ville Valo performs a hauntingly beautiful set at the powerstation!
PHOTOS + REVIEW BY GINELLE COCKS . Former HIM frontman Ville Valo brought his haunting solo show to Auckland’s Powerstation last night, performing tracks from his 2023 album Neon Noir alongside several HIM classic tracks. Neon Noir has been described by Valo as...
P!NK ENDS OUR SUMMER SEASON WITH ONE HELL OF A CELEBRATION – A CARNIVAL OF FUN + COLOUR!
The best show you will ever experience!
FIVE DELIVER A GREAT SHOW THAT HAD US RELIVING OUR YOUNGER DAYS
Nostalgia shows are all the rage at the moment it seems. But I have to admit, when I saw this announcement, I knew I had to go. Only 3/5 members and obviously it has been years since we all blasted their music but personally I don’t care. If you did Jump Jam, you’ll...
MR. BUNGLE DELIVERS A SHOW FANS HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR!
REVIEW: Ginelle Cocks / PHOTOS: Tom Grut . A humid, rainy night in Auckland didn’t dampen the mood as fans in their droves headed for the Town Hall, ready for a night of sludgey experimental shenanigans, courtesy of Mike Patton and his Bungle bandmates. Special...
QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE MAKE A TRIUMPHANT RETURN TO AOTEAROA!
PHOTO + REVIEW BY GINELLE COCKS . “Let’s fucking rip the roof off this fucking thing!” It’s been a long six years since Queens of the Stone Age last visited Aotearoa as part of the “Villains” tour, and excited fans were gathering in their droves as the doors to Spark...
PHOTO GALLERY: Calexico: ‘FEAST OF WIRE’ Anniversary Tour @ Powerstation
PHOTOS BY ISABELLA YOUNG . EBONY LAMB . CALEXICO
FUN LOVIN’ CRIMINALS @ POWERSTATION + DING DONG LOUNGE!
from a great show at the iconic powerstation, to the after party.Check out ginelle cock’s photography of a flc-filled night!
Melanie Martinez PORTALS the Auckland audience into her world – An experience!
I last saw Melanie play at The Powerstation, I believe it was around 2016/17. This is when I was obsessed with the Cry Baby album and was sat outside the venue early, teardrop makeup done and all – those were the days! So as much as I knew I loved the new album and...
FOO FIGHTERS GIVE TAMAKI MAKAURAU A ROCKIN START TO 2024!
REVIEW BY GINELLE COCKS / PHOTOS BY DOUG PETERS . “It’s gonna be a long night, motherf**ckers” - as Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl warned the crowd early on, we were in for an epic night as the Foo Fighters played their first Auckland show since 2018. The Foo...
Kicking off summer and 2024 with nothing but GOLDEN LIGHTS!
Review by Ysabella Smith / Photos by Jennifer de Koning . DAY 1 Golden Lights returns for its 2024-edition two-day-festival in Aucklands Trusts Arenas. Hosted by Endeavour Live, the Line-up for Day One; consisting of a mixed bag of house and indie rock. The sun was...
Mad Caddies wrap up our 2023 on the Hibiscus Coast!
REVIEW BY STEVE SHYU / PHOTOS BY GINELLE COCKS ... Let me first begin with admitting this: I’ve never been to a ska show before. With very little knowledge of the scene, I only knew they were pretty prevalent both here and abroad about a dozen or so years ago, but it...
Dermot Kennedy serenades Aotearoa once again!
We return to Spark Arena once again, but this time for Dermot Kennedy. Like Tash Sultana, the setup is free flow with people choosing between seats or floor. Seats proving to be the popular choice. That was definitely mine. People stopped in to grab merch before...
TASH SULTANA WRAPS UP TOURING IN TAMAKI MAKARAU!
Arriving at Spark arena early, there was a decent line forming both at VIP and general doors. Though I could see it wasn’t going to be a huge show, I was excited at the intimate size it was going to be. I first saw Tash Sultana play Powerstation and I feel those...
BEHEMOTH LIVE IN TAMAKI MAKAURAU WAS A WILD EXPERIENCE!
REVIEW BY LUKE CHAPMAN / PHOTOS BY SHELLEY TE HAARA . After grinding my face along the concrete in an e-scooter mishap, and having to walk to work down Queen Street, I had never felt more welcome with a giant gaping wound on my head than at Friday night’s Behemoth...
HILLTOP HOODS KICK OFF A SOLD OUT NZ TOUR IN TAMAKI MAKAURAU!
K Road felt busier than usual for a Friday night, including groups of people flowing into The Studio. Hilltop Hoods were set to kick off their Sold Out NZ Tour tonight and people were keen, with a queue at the door and inside at the merch stand. The crowd trickled in...
TEDDY SWIMS MAKES A TRIUMPHANT SOLD-OUT RETURN TO AUCKLAND TOWN HALL!
After a sold out Powerstation show in 2022, just under a year later Teddy Swims returned to Aotearoa for a Sold Out show at Auckland Town Hall. Upon arrival to the venue. The line ran down Queen St, to The Civic and beyond. I don’t understand why the venue was only...
Broods finally brings Space Island to The Powerstation, and it’s a creative experience!
. REVIEW BY HELENA BARNETT / PHOTOS BY GABRIEL HAILTREE . Friday the 28th of April was a transcendent night as Broods shared their latest album, Space Island with Tāmaki Makaurau at The Powerstation. They were supported by local artist, Rita Mae for the last few shows...
“Walk on this roof!” – Drug Church put on the craziest night at Whammy Bar that we’ve ever seen!
SPIDERPIG OR SPIDER MAN/WOMEN/THEY?!
LISTEN IN – A rough experience soundtracked by some amazing performances!
I JUST WANT TO PREFACE THIS REVIEW – IT IS MY EXPERIENCE BUT ALSO MY OBSERVATIONS AS SOMEONE WHO HAS WORKED EVENTS, SECURITY ETC. I WAS THERE AS A REVIEWER AND PHOTOGRAPHER. I ALSO ONLY STAYED AT ONE STAGE SO THIS IS BASED OFF THAT. . Now to start I will say, the...
JPEGMAFIA SHUT DOWN THE POWERSTATION WITH RAW ENERGY!
Another sold out sideshow and one I have been waiting for for so long! I noticed Peggy always hit Australia but not NZ so to finally get him here was epic! And I wasn’t the only one who thought so. The queue to get in was down the road and around the corner as doors...
Aitch brings UK rap to a SOLD OUT Powerstation in auckland!
NERVE photos by Shelley Te Haara / AITCH photos by Dalong Ye-Lee. The crowd was quick to pack in to The Powerstation. I didn't know what sort of crowd to expect and I have to admit, it was interesting. A range of different ethnicities but all quite young. I also got...
THE FIRST NZ ROLLING STONE AWARDS HIT TAMAKI MAKAURAU LAST NIGHT!
Last night was the first Rolling Stone Awards in Aotearoa. It was an intimate evening with only a small guest list of people invited and though the night felt like it was over in 5 minutes, I am sure it is a taster for what is to come with Rolling Stone and the New...
Joy Crookes brought soul and emotion to a SOLD OUT Auckland crowd.
After plans fell through, I decided to head along to Joy Crookes and honestly, it felt like the universe said "you need to be here". I didn't actually know Joy's music that well but I had heard some and knew I'd probably enjoy it but sharing that experience with a...
TIERRA WHACK TAKES ON THE AUCKLAND CROWD @ THE POWERSTATION!
Nothing but fun energy on a rainy Auckland night!
“YOU ARE FUCKING YUNGBLUD” – NZ CROWD BRINGS YUNGBLUD TO TEARS @ SHED 10
High energy, loud voices and nothing but love in Auckland last night!
STILL WOOZY – ALL ENERGY AT THE POWERSTATION!
Amazing performer and him and the band vibe so hard and have the best energy! I highly recommend checking him out if you get the chance.
BRONCO in Tāmaki Makaurau – Orville Peck @ The Powerstation
10/10. Go see him live if you haven’t. That crowd and energy is awesome. Him and his band really vibe off eachother and it really gets the crowd going. And you may just get a rose…
Lime Cordiale in Auckland – A Visual Review
TEENAGE DADS . . LIME CORDIALE ON MY OWN NATURALLY ADDICTED TO THE SUNSHINE DIRT CHEAP MONEY COWBOY SCREW LOOSE FACTS OF LIFE REALITY CHECK IS HE YOU RMAN WAKING...
PERFUME GENIUS – A VISUAL REVIEW
PHOTOS BE SHELLEY TE HAARA . [gallery type="rectangular" size="large" link="none"...
MAKO ROAD – SOLD OUT SHOWS: AN AUCKLAND RECAP
Photography by Max Foley . It has been a while since I attended a show at The Powerstation and a SOLD OUT one at that. As I arrived people were already trickling in to the venue, with the barrier being lined almost instantly. That just kept growing and I have to say...
Dermot Kennedy showed Sydney, sometimes vocals are everything!
I have been a fan of Dermot Kennedy for years and I was lucky to catch him in Aotearoa, playing a SOLD OUT Powerstation. However this time around he wasn’t visiting us in New Zealand so I knew I had to catch him in Melbourne. Upon arriving at the venue there was queue...
OCEAN ALLEY FINALLY MAKE IT TO NZ AND PLAY AN INCREDIBLE SHOW, MARKING THE RETURN OF INTERNATIONAL ACTS TO SPARK ARENA!
Like most gigs over the past couple of years, Ocean Alley were part of the list of constant reschedules. And it seems most people including myself had forgotten about some, but clearly not this one, with a sold-out crowd of about 5k attending Spark Arena last night.
Dance Farm @ Whangamata!
A fun festival to end the year!
Y$O Volume 5 @ The Tuning Fork!
I had seen these gigs pop up a few times before but they always clashed with other shows. However this time around I decided I needed to see what this was all about. I knew a couple of the acts on the lineup but that was about it, however in saying that, I always love...
Thursday’s I’m In Love @ The Tuning Fork: Who Shot Scott, Levyne & Indyah!
First Thursday’s is the new concert series The Tuning Fork have been running and this was the 2nd show. It is essentially a showcase of upcoming artists, however I personally think most people probably know who these artists are, or maybe I am just ignorant and hope...
TEAM DYNAMITE GO OUT WITH A BANG IN TĀMAKI MAKAURAU
Now if you want a quick summary: Team Dynamite performed an incredible set with a bunch of special guests to a crowd full of friends, fans & whanau. Nothing but love and good energy in that room! Also the opening lineup was EPIC! Now the full review: Team Dynamite...
AUCKLAND ARTS FESTIVAL – TALKS & POETRY.
Two different types of events over breakfast but both powerful ways to start the day!
AAF – Che Fu & The Kratez: Return of the Navigator!
A culltural experience with nothing but positive energy in a packed-out room.
LOUIS BAKER + AUCKLAND PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA @ THE TOWN HALL
The only other artist I could recall performing with the APO was Teeks but I sadly missed that performance. However I was determined not to miss this one. I really enjoy Louis Baker’s music and have seen him live before so I was excited to see how he would perform his...
UPCOMING SHOWS – A Gig Guide
A regularly updated list of shows coming up in NZ!
Energy, Inclusivity and Powerful Words – Imugi EP Release @ Tuning Fork
An incredible Thursday night in Tamaki Makaurau!
Rihanna & the power of the Savage X Fenty shows!
Including some incredible NZ talent!
Wax Mustang @ The Tuning Fork!
A very crazy Sunday night!
Avantdale Bowling Club @ Hollywood Avondale!
A special hometown show in Avondale!
Balu Brigada – Bop Fiasco @ The Tuning Fork!
BOP FIASCO needs to be a recurring event!
BENEE @ SPARK ARENA – NIGHT 1
It felt like an international show!
CHURCH & AP @ HOLLYWOOD AVONDALE!
It was an incredible night with a very well-curated lineup!
PHOTO GALLERY: FABLE – ‘A PLACE CALLED HOME’ RELEASE SHOW @ NECK OF THE WOODS!
What a special night!
SUMMER THIEVES @ THE TUNING FORK – SOLD OUT!
A great show and wild crowd!
Photo Gallery: Pale Flag, Crooked Royal, Downfall of Humanity, Glass Throne & Melanie @ Dead Witch
Such an EPIC lineup!
Photo Gallery: Paige – Spark Session!
It was a fun party!
FOLEY @ WHAMMY BAR – SOLD OUT!
An intimate dance party for all!
NZMM is a cop-out and the NZ music industry needs a change!
This just needed to be said.
SHOW UPDATES!
We will update this whenever we hear more news!
Banks Arcade – Sick: The Studio.
We share some studio insight into the studio sessions for SICK.
Auckland Arts Festival: Ka Po, Ka Waiata
A transcendent & beautiful experience.
Blindspott @ The Powerstation
It was an insane SOLD OUT show!
Auckland Arts Festival: Limbo Unhinged
So much more than a circus-cabaret extravaganza!
Auckland Arts Festival – UPU
It is a powerful, emotional and confrontational performance that I think should be seen by all!
Saint Jhn @ The Powerstation!
IGNORANT FOREVER!
Ben Harper @ Logan Campbell Centre
Matt Corby really was the highlight of the night for me.
Alice Cooper @ The Trust Arena
Alice Cooper bought his arena-sized theatre show to Auckland!
Pentatonix @ Spark Arena
Pentatonix showed Auckland why they are a group on top of the world!
NF @ The Powerstation – Night 1
NF played 2 sold-out shows at The Powerstation on the weekend. Here’s our coverage of Night 1!
X AMBASSADORS @ THE POWERSTATION
X AMBASSADORS played an incredible show to an intimate crowd at The Powerstation!
XILE @ WHAMMY BACKROOM!
Xile played a sold-out headline show at Whammy Backroom. NZ Hardcore still going strong.
Laneway Festival @ Albert Park
Laneway was another nice summer’s day full of good music and friends.
Bastille @ Spark Arena
Bastille, the band you don’t realise you know quite well! They are incredible live and here is why. . .
Orville Peck @ The Tuning Fork
Orville Peck showed a sold-out Tuning Fork why country is still one of the strongest music genres around.
Lewis Capaldi @ The Town Hall
A comedian with a voice of an angel.
Bay Dreams @ The Mount
Does it feel like Bay Dreams is but a distant memory? Or are you still wearing your wristband with it really fresh in your mind?
YGB @ Pah Homestead
Pah Homestead became the perfect spot for a sun-filled Boxing Day!
Liam Gallagher @ Spark Arena
Liam Gallagher gave the Spark Arena crowd everything they wanted!
Carly Rae Jepsen brought the town hall to life!
A women who is more than just ‘Call Me Maybe’!
Horrorshow @ Galatos
Last night Horrorshow played their first headline show in Auckland at Galatos. I had been looking forward to this show for a while so I was glad to end my week with this show. Kicking things off were twin brothers 1174.The crowd was small and slowly dripping in. But...
Why Don’t We @ Spark Arena
The last show of the 8 Letters Tour was a delight for the intimate crowd at Spark Arena.
Festival X Rising @ Spark Arena
Though Festival X had its good moments, I don’t think it delivered what everyone was wanting.
Walking On Cars @ The Tuning Fork
Walking On Cars – The incredible band who should be bigger than they are!
The Loft @ Anthology Lounge
The Loft is an inspiring experience.
Tash Sultana @ Spark Arena
Tash Sultana delivered an incredible performance that was not only heard but felt!
LAUV @ Shed 10
LAUV was a visual experience!
Friday Jams @ Western Springs!
Friday Jams on a Sunday was the nostalgic throwback we wanted!
Cohle Harris – ‘Lost’ Single Release
Cohle Harris’ new single LOST is out now!
Church & AP – TEETH release show @ Galatos
TEETH is out now! And there was a show to celebrate!
Hermitude @ The Powerstation
Hermitude & Haiku Hands took on The Powerstation four a dance-filled Wednesday night!
Jon Bellion @ The Powerstation
Definitely one of my top shows in 2019!
Great Gable @ The Tuning Fork
. Great Gable Kicked off their small run of shows here in NZ to a very-excited Auckland crowd. The crowd took a while to pack-in and I’d say there were only about a handful of people there as the first act took the stage. Abby Wolfe kicked off the show! People...
Raiza Biza X Mo Muse – Album Release @ NoTW
A combined release party turned into a high celebration with friends!
Devilskin @ The Powerstation
10 years of Devilskin!
Rei @ Anthology Lounge
Huia . Tane the Forest Kid . Mikey Mayz . Rei .
Unearthed Sound @ Whammy Backroom
Last night DAMAGE INC presented their first show, Unearthed Sound, which took place in a hot and sweaty Whammy Backroom. With one hell of a line up, the crowd was crazy and the energy was insane. Check out my photos (in no particular order) from the night below: