Sounds of summer: What not to miss

Andrew Fagan, Shihad, Devilskin, Cairo Knife Fight.

Choosing which gigs and festivals to attend this summer is like traversing a minefield. So Living has done the hard work for you, with this roundup of the hottest events in music in January and February. By Paula Yeoman

Tours

Devilskin Summer Tour

Tickets to a Devilskin gig are to raging rock fans what Lewis Road Creamery chocolate milk is to discerning foodies. So get in fast if you want to catch the Hamilton rockers on their summer tour, which began at Riwaka Hotel last night. But it's Devilskin's support slot with guitar God, Slash, in front of a home crowd at Claudelands Arena on February 17 that will surely be the rock concert of the summer. They're supporting him in Wellington on February 18 too.

This week
Tomorrow night: Mangawhai Tavern; Tuesday night: Coroglen Tavern; New Years's Eve: Brewers Field, Mt Maunganui.

• For full tour dates visit devilskin.co.nz

Shihad, The Datsuns, I Am Giant and Cairo Knife Fight

You can't consider yourself a hard-core rocker unless you have this gig on your radar. Four kick-ass rock acts under the same roof. The tour kicked off in Lower Hutt last night.

This week
Tonight: Coroglen Tavern;
tomorrow: Butler's Reef, New Plymouth;
Tuesday: Riwaka Hotel, Nelson;
New Year's Eve: Cathedral Square, Christchurch;
Friday: Brewers Field, Mt Maunganui; Saturday: Country Park, Matakana.

• ticketmaster.co.nz/Shihad-tickets/artist/776894

Black Seeds, Katchafire and Sons of Zion

Also treading the same touring circuit are these three quintessential Kiwi music acts. Their laid-back roots reggae vibe will help bring back the zen after a full-on Christmas.

• eventfinder.co.nz

Clash of the Titans - Dragon, The Exponents and The Feelers

Blame the alcohol; blame your age, it's impossible to remember all the times you've seen each of these Kiwi acts. So it makes sense to see them again, back-to-back on the same stage. A coin toss on the night determines playing order. They're at Mangawhai Tavern tonight and Coroglen on New Year's Eve. There are two South Island dates - the Riwaka Hotel, Motueka on January 3 and Waipara Hills in Canterbury on January 4.

• ticketmaster.co.nz/Clash-Of-The-Titans-tickets/artist/900157

Andrew Fagan Summer Tour

If there's only one Kiwi throwback gig you venture to this summer, please ensure it's this one, because they don't make 'em like Andrew Fagan any more. He's celebrating 30 years in music and will play the hits of The Mockers and People, as well as some new material from the EP, Ancestor. The tour stretches across January and February and includes Napier on January 30 and Masterton on January 31.\

• For tour dates visit AndrewFagan.co.nz

One-off gigs (or thereabouts)

a bunch of other shows are on offer, starting with the electro-folkster duo from Germany, Milky Chance at the Powerstation in Auckland on January 9. If you can navigate your way through a crowd of bearded beer-drinking hipsters, you will be in for a good night.

Here's one for Brit-pop revivalists - a night with The Kooks at Auckland's Vector Arena on January 15. Meanwhile, anyone stuck for ideas on what to get mum and nana for Christmas need look no further than tickets to the 2Cellos, at Auckland's ASB Theatre on January 17. The bad news is, it clashes with what will undoubtedly be the gig of January - American rapper, Nas at the Powerstation, marking the 20th anniversary of his debut album Illmatic. The good news is he has added a second date on January 16. He's also in Wellington on January 18. Please don't miss this.

Vector Arena hosts Paul Simon and Sting on January 30. There's not much more to be said about this conscious coupling of two of music's greats, except you'll probably kick yourself for not being there. They're in New Plymouth the following night.

Fans of the 80s face a dilemma on February 7 with Roxette playing at Auckland's Vector Arena and Smiths' guitarist Johnny Marr playing at the Powerstation. But it shouldn't be too hard to make a choice - if you're a big schmaltz who likes a good power ballad, stay downtown; if you're the moody type who dresses all in black, Marr's your man.

Festivals

Broods, Ghostface, Goldie, Fat Freddy's Drop.

There are almost too many festivals to choose from this summer, despite the absence of Big Day Out. But that won't stem the flow of 20-somethings on their annual pilgrimage to Gisborne for Rhythm and Vines, from tomorrow night until New Year's Eve. Broods, Netsky Live, Bastille and Chet Faker are on the line-up so it promises to be good. The latter two are also at sister festival Rhythm and Alps in Wanaka, which seems to be going from strength to strength.

• rhythmandvines.co.nz

If you're heading north for your holidays, then Northern Base on Tuesday night and New Year's Eve in Mangawhai looks a good place to ring in the New Year. You'll be in good company with Goldie, Fat Freddys Drop and Noisia.

• northernbass.co.nz

Those who can't hack the camping element of the multi-day festival and need a Ponsonby Rd latte to kick-start their day should stick with the tried and trusted St Jerome's Laneway Festival in Auckland on January 26. The asphalt at Silo Park sure pumps off some heat on a sweltering summer's day, but with acts Banks, Angus and Julia Stone and Future Islands on the bill, it's a small, sweaty price to pay. The magic of Laneway is that for every band you know, you'll discover two you've never heard of.

• auckland.lanewayfestival.com

Splore on February 20-22 is the other music extravaganza not to be missed. Its setting at the beautiful Tapapakanga Regional Park is unrivalled, even by New Zealand standards, and it boasts a mighty fine line-up, too, from The Cat Empire to Tinashe, Trinity Roots and SJD.

• splore.net