The picks of NZ Music Month's gigs

Picks of Music Month gigs

Haz Beats and Miloux Live

The Tui-winning duo’s fusion of jazz, soul and hip-hop is so silky smooth you’re likely to slide off your barstool. When: Thursday, May 5 Where: Ponsonby Social Club, Auckland

Aotearoa Prog Alliance Tour

Limber up those neck muscles for this onslaught of leading prog rock/metal bands, Whanganui’s Pull Down the Sun, Christchurch’s Elidi, Wellington’s Claemus and Auckland locals Crooked Royals, who all hit hard, fast and melodically heavy. When: Friday, May 6 Where: Ding Dong Lounge

Savage

Give it up for the local hip-hop legend who will be sure to get those hips swinging when the subs start shaking to his classic, partystarting rap bangers. When: Saturday, May 7 Where: Sweat Shop Brew Kitchen

Niko Walters

The triple-platinum certified soul and R&B artist celebrates the release of new album White Flag Waves with this all-ages show. When: Saturday, May 7 Where: The Tuning Fork

The Veils, Bic Runga, Nadia Reid and Arahi

Hop along to new venue Lilyworld that’s springing open with this all-ages mini-festival. Simply make a donation online to the charity MusicHelps and register for a ticket. Easy as! When: Sunday, May 8 Where: Lilyworld, Mt Smart Stadium

Swampland, Video Nasty, This Machine Means Murder

Keep it spooky on Friday the 13th with a night of killer tunes conjured up by these three dark, noisy bands. When: Friday, May 13 Where: The Wine Cellar

French For Rabbits

Wellington’s dream-pop luminaries waft into Auckland to tour their wonderful 2022 Taite Music Award-nominated album, The Overflow. When: Friday, May 13 Where: The Tuning Fork

DARTZ

Their blistering reimagining of The Mutton Birds Kiwi classic Dominion Road as a tribute to the street’s famed dumpling houses is all the reason you need to pogo along to this gig by Wellington’s finest, smart-assest punk rockers. When: Saturday, May 14 Where: Whammy Bar

Anthonie Tonnon

He may be supporting his brilliant recent album Leave Love Out Of This, but that’ll be an impossible ask when the sharp-suited balladeer takes to the stage. When: Saturday, May 14 Where: The Hollywood Avondale

Delaney Davidson

Lyttelton’s finest marks a rare Auckland appearance with a promise of new songs and the ever-present hint that a surprise cameo from one of his many proteges — say, Marlon, Tami, Aldous or Troy — is not entirely out of the question. When: Thursday, May 26 Where: The Wine Cellar

Delaney Davidson; French For Rabbits; Che Fu and DARTZ.Photos / Lily Paris West, Dean Purcell

AROUND AOTEAROA

Salmonella Dub

Kiwis love the ways of the mighty Salm Dub so lace up your skanking shoes and get ready to get your groove on to their brilliant, bassheavy, boss tunes. When: May 7 and May 21 Where: Old Macdonalds Farm in Ma¯ rahau and Christchurch Town Hall respectively.

The Nook & Cranny Music Festival

It may be taking place on the steps of a library but there’ll be no shushing allowed as Music Month kicks off with this free daytime music festival down south. Throughout the month they’ll also be hosting workshops covering everything from guitar pedals to songwriting. When: Sunday, May 1 Where: The steps of the Dunedin Public Library in the Dunedin City Council Plaza

The SOLE Speaker Series

Want to know how Tiki Taane writes his anthems, how indie favourite Mousey crafts her work or how production duo LOHO smash out the bangers? Then head along to their seminar where they’ll reveal their songwriting secrets. When: Monday, May 2 Where: Christchurch’s SOLE Music Academy

The #Hı¯koiTo100 Music Festival

Nga¯ti Kuri celebrates the big success of the iwi #Hı¯koiTo100 Covid-19 vaccination drive with this concert which sees big names like Ladi6, Che Fu, Savage, Tomorrow People and more hit the stage. It’s a festival that wouldn’t have been possible if the majority of people hadn’t got vaxxed so ka pai, team. When: Saturday, May 21 Where: Awanui RFC & Sports Complex, near Kaitaia

Kiwi Grooves

Feeling irie? Then be sure to catch this all-star reggae tour as it travels around Aotearoa spreading good vibes with acts like House of Shem, Ardijah, Herbs, Che Fu, Swiss, Israel Starr and more. When: Every Friday and Saturday throughout May Where: They’re all over the place so check their social media pages for details.

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