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So New Zealand Music Month is once again upon us.
I must confess to somewhat mixed feeling about the whole concept of NZMM, though I find it uncomfortable criticising anything aimed at promoting local music.
I guess my reservation is that by cramming so much into one focused month, people inevitably miss out on things through sheer over-abundance. How many gigs a week can you do? But, again, it seems a tad perverse to complain about too many gigs.
So I'll try and highlight a few of the many shows, starting at the Historic Village's Jam Factory, the venue that sees probably the largest number and widest variety of Kiwi acts performing each year. They have a busy month...
The Boondocks.
First up, Saturday, May 4, are three bands of the heavier persuasion, led by Auckland 4-piece Silcrow who have a new single out, “Too Late To Forget”. They're joined by bass guitar/drum duo The Boondocks NZ and Tauranga pop/rock trio Sorry, Sorry.
Silcrow.
The following Saturday (May 11) sees singer/guitarist Duncan Harwood play one show there before relocating to Australia. Auckland's Dave Alley and Rosina (of Rosina and the Weavers) will also be playing and Duncan will be reforming his band Happy Hearse, whose music is a little hard to describe but let's say grungy alt-country-rock. Grungy as in Neil Young. Their second album “Love & Work”, from last year, is very solid.
Dave Alley.
Moving to Katikati there's an absolute legend of the New Zealand folk scene coming to The Arts Junction on May 10 as a guest of the Folk Club. Mike Harding – “The Eketuhuna Kid” - has been doing this for more than 40 years. He has won awards for Best Folk Album, has written definitive books on the subject, hosted radio series about it, and rediscovered a trove of previously-lost Kiwiana classics.
Mike Harding.
He's now seventy and continues locating and learning, researching and recording, promoting and performing the folk and popular songs of New Zealand. When people talk of New Zealand's living treasures, Mike is on that list.
Of course there are a bunch of free gigs every week in Tauranga, all good local music, from original songs to jazz, blues, covers and more, just check out The Barrel Room, Jack Dusty's Ale House, The Matua Pub, The Rising Tide, Mount Social Club and more.
Duncan Hardwood.
I'll continue over the next few weeks looking at the plethora of Kiwi music on offer, but in complete contrast I couldn't help but notice that there seems to be an unusually high number, given it's NZMM, of “tribute” shows coming through town. Let's make a little list...
May 3 is Prince at Baycourt, May 11 is Fleetwood Mac and Stevie Nicks at Totara St; May 24 Bob Dylan is celebrating his birthday at the Holy Trinity Church courtesy of Kokomo, Marion Arts and more; May 25, Bob moves to Katikati's Arts Junction and The Rolling Stones are at the Mount RSA; then The Beach Boys arrive at Baycourt on May 29. Credence, The Bee Gees and others visit later in the year.
Hear Winston's latest Playlist: