Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
GOOD LORDE!
Of course, the big news in Kiwi music recently has been the success of Lorde, a singer-songwriter from Devon-
port on Auckland's North Shore. Known less regally to her friends as Ella Yelich-O'Connor, 16-year-old Lorde
cracked the number-one spot on the US Billboard charts in 2013 with her magical, schoolyard-chant-evoking hit
'Royals' - the first NZ solo artist to top the American charts. 'Royals' then went on to win the Song of the Year
Grammy in 2014. Her debut album Pure Heroine has spawned a string of hits and is selling millions of copies
worldwide. Not bad for 16!
Venues
In Auckland the main rock venues are the Kings Arms Tavern ( Click here ) and Cassette
Nine ( Click here ) , though two joint venues in St Kevins Arcade (off Karangahape Rd) are
also popular - the Wine Cellar & Whammy Bar ( Click here ) . Ding Dong Lounge ( Click
here ) and Portland Public House ( Click here ) are also worth a look. Wellington is rife with
live-music venues - mostly around Cuba St - from Meow ( Click here ) to Bodega ( Click
here ) .
The TV show Popstars originated in New Zealand, though the resulting group, True Bliss, was short-lived.
The series concept was then picked up in Australia, the UK and the US, inspiring the Idol series.
Festivals
A number of festivals happen over summer, including new year's celebration Rhythm &
Vines ( www.rhythmandvines.co.nz ) in Gisborne. The touring international alt-rock fest Big Day Out
( www.bigdayout.com ) seemed destined for the scrapheap but was relaunched in Auckland in
2014. Also recommended is the underground festival held early each year by A Low Hum
( www.alowhum.com ) . World music fans flock to the local version of WOMAD (World of Music
Arts & Dance; www.womad.co.nz ) in New Plymouth, which features both local and overseas acts.
An up-to-date list of gigs in the main centres is listed at www.ripitup.co.nz . Tickets for most events can
be bought at www.ticketek.co.nz , www.ticketmaster.co.nz , or, for smaller gigs, www.undertheradar.co.nz .
 
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