Our guide of where to go, what to see and what to do this weekend.
Weird Together. Photo: Photo via Facebook
A Weird Night Out: With NZ Music Month about to kick off, globetrotting producers and DJs Nick D and Dick 'Magik' Johnson aka Weird Together have put together a huge list of names to celebrate the event this Saturday. Even better, it’s taking place at the newly renovated St James Theatre, the first show there since 2007. Alongside Weird Together, there’ll be sets from P-Money, Peacekeepers feat MC Tali, High Hoops, Kamandi, Race Banyon, Thomston, Azbo and more – standard release tickets are available from iTicket.
Heavy: After only forming last year, stoner-rap Auckland duo Heavy (Liam Dargaville and Reem Nabhani) have just dropped their debut album Lock In, released at 4:20 last Friday and available for $4.20 on Bandcamp. You get the implication. This Saturday, they also begin their album release tour which sees them hit up Auckland’s Ellen Melville Hall for an all-ages show with Randa and Badcrop. It’ll be followed by gigs in Wellington, Palmerston North and another back in Auckland in a couple of weeks’ time.
Pacquiao vs Mayweather: Years in the making, Manny Pacquiao finally takes on Floyd Mayweather Jr this Sunday in Las Vegas, fighting for the WBC, WBA and WBO welterweight titles. It’s a bout where both stars’ narratives are well-documented, with Pacquiao the philanthropist who overcame a childhood of poverty to end up as a world-class athlete with a successful political career in the Philippines. In the other corner Mayweather is experiencing some criticism for his behaviour outside of the ring as well. Both are set to take home about £150 million with Mayweather currently the favourite to win.
Silicon: Before heading to the UK to play alongside his brother’s band Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Kody Nielson is performing his first show under his new project Silicon this Friday at Neck of the Woods in Auckland, with support from Julien Dyne and Manuel Bundy. His debut album is out later this year but for now, check out his first single ‘God Emoji’ below and read Eden Bradfield’s review of the track here. Presales for the show are available now.
Princess Chelsea: With her new album, The Great Cybernetic Depression, out this Friday, Princess Chelsea is marking the release with a series of tour dates around the country. Things are already underway, with a show in Dunedin last night, but dates remain in Queenstown, Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland over the next few days. Head to Under The Radar for tickets and watch the video for the Simon Ward-directed single, ‘No Church On Sunday’, below.
May Day benefit show: The beginning of the month also signals May Day, and Tourettes, Louie Knuxx, The Vietnam War, Gina’s Revenge and PCP Eagles are getting together to play a benefit show with proceeds going to Auckland Action Against Poverty, a local advocacy group with a focus on unemployment, welfare and poverty. Taking place at Auckland’s Whammy Bar, tickets are available now or on the door – find out everything you need to know here.
Yumi Zouma and Doprah: Christchurch-formed acts Yumi Zouma and Doprah head out on a five-date tour this week, beginning in their hometown tonight before shows in Queenstown and Dunedin over the weekend. It’ll likely be Yumi Zouma’s last shows in the country until next year, they say, and you can expect to hear songs from their recently-released second EP. As with most things, head to Under The Radar for tickets and further details.
Did we miss something? Leave your suggestions in the comments or email us with your events here.