R&B wonderboy, Paramore on way to play

Jason Derulo. Photo / Supplied

At 16, Jason Derulo was writing hits for music big wigs Lil Wayne and P. Diddy. Now, the 20-year-old chart-topping R&B star is singing his own songs and touring the world supporting the likes of Lady Gaga. The Florida-native comes to New Zealand for the first time to play at the Logan Campbell Centre on November 15.

His self-titled album, which includes the hits Watcha Say, In My Head, and Ridin' Solo, has been dubbed by some overseas critics as "the most fall-in-loveable album of the decade". And they're not wrong because this lad's smooth looks and suave soul voice sets hearts racing.

Tickets go on sale July 1 at Ticketek (with My Ticketek presales starting June 28).

Meanwhile, Tennessee pop punk act Paramore loved it so much when they played in New Zealand earlier this year that they're coming back for more.

"Can't wait to come back to New Zealand. Please, dear God, let it be soon. Never had so much fun in three days in my whole life," is what lead singer Hayley Williams said on Twitter back in March following the band's show at Auckland's Trusts Stadium.

With a recent Green Day European stadium tour support slot under their belts, they come back to play Wellington's TSB Arena on October 7, and then make the step up to Vector Arena on October 8.

The band formed in 2004 and started making waves with their 2005 debut All We Know is Falling and 2007's Riot!, before hitting the big time in 2008 with Decode, the lead single off the Twilight soundtrack. Last year they released third album Brand New Eyes, which was a slamming pop-rock statement, and more recently 21-year-old Williams has been on the top of the charts thanks to her collaboration with B.O.B. on Airplanes.

Tickets go on sale July 8 at 9am from Ticketmaster (Auckland) and Ticketek (Wellington).

And if you didn't already hear the news, cult star and celebrated musical producer Todd Rundgren is to play two shows in New Zealand.

The 61-year-old guitarist, who produced Meat Loaf's mega-selling Bat Out of Hell album as well as records by many others, is bringing his "Johnson" show - a tribute to bluesman Robert Johnson - to Auckland's Powerstation on September 24 and Wellington's San Francisco Bath House on September 26.