Our guide of where to go, what to see and what to do this weekend.
Rackets: In support of their new album Walking The Skeleton, Rackets are currently in the midst of an audacious week-long 20-date tour of Auckland (yes, twenty), which sees them play schools, a rooftop, a skate park and even the ferry to Devonport. The band say the only way to hear the album is to head to one of the shows and snap up the physical copy yourself (it’s $5), so get amongst it.
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony: After playing in Christchurch last night, influential and iconic rap group Bone Thugs-N-Harmony are in Auckland for one last New Zealand show at Vector Arena this evening. Performing together with all five original members, or maybe not, the group have said that they plan to release one last album this year, Wu-Tang style, before calling it a day for good. Remaining tickets for the show are available from Ticketmaster.
Glass Vaults: Glass Vaults are gearing for the release of their debut album, due out September 1. In addition to dropping new tracks ‘Sacred Heart’ and the just-released ‘Sojourn’ (which you can watch the video for below), the band begin their ‘Summer In Winter’ tour this Friday at Golden Dawn. They’ll continue with dates in Coromandel, Christchurch, Queenstown, Palmerston North and Wellington throughout the month. Find out more via their Facebook page.
The Watercooler: Held monthly at the Basement Theatre, The Watercooler is a storytelling night which sees four speakers take on a theme and tell their tales to a live audience (which we then host on The Wireless in written/audio form, if you hadn’t noticed). For the latest event, which takes place tonight from 8.30, David Merritt, Sarah Lancaster, John MacDonald and Nisha Madhan share their experiences of Karanagahape Road. Interested in going? It’s worth booking ahead, which you can do through iTicket here.
New Gum Sarn: Recent Spunk Records signees New Gum Sarn are celebrating the release of their debut album, out tomorrow, with a show at Auckland’s Whammy Bar this evening with Civil Union, sere and The Echo Oh’s. The band, who named themselves after a Chinese supermarket on Mercury Lane (which translates to ‘New Gold Mountain’, the name of their album), have six more dates around the country to follow in the coming weeks. Tickets for tonight’s show are $10 on the door, or $5 with the purchase of a t-shirt or their album on vinyl.
Gin Wigmore: With her new album Blood To Bone just released, the now LA-based Gin Wigmore is back for a handful of sold out shows in New Zealand this week. There’s still two dates left, which will see her play Wellington’s Bodega on Friday night and The Bedford in Christchurch on Saturday. For now though, watch her video for ‘Written In The Water Die Regardless’ right here.
Bai Leaves: Local R&B/neo-soul singer Bailey Wiley is leaving for Berlin soon and as a sendoff she’s throwing one last show at Neck of the Woods tonight with SuperVillains (RMC), Third3ye, Laughton Kora, and Yoko-Zuna. In case you missed it, ‘Revival’ is the debut single from Yoko-Zuna, which also features Team Dynamite. Check out the video below and look out for their album due out on July 17.
Did we miss something? Leave your suggestions in the comments or email us with your events here.