The people's band get back on the road

Opshop. Photo / Supplied

The people's band are No. 1 on the album charts this week with third album Until the End of Time and to celebrate, Opshop hit the road for a string of shows in September and October.

While the band have played some of the new songs live before, frontman Jason Kerrison is itching to get out there and play the rest of the album, which got a five-star rating in TimeOut.

"The album's been a long time coming for the band now, so to finally have it out there among the masses and be received so favourably has really blown us away. This tour really is a celebration for us and we simply can't wait."

Also on the bill are The Earlybirds, who release debut album Favourite Fears on August 23. The tour starts at Ascension Wine Estate in Matakana on September 17, and there are three dates in Auckland, at Sale Street on Sept 23, Howick Club on Sept 30, and the Brownzy on Oct 2. Tickets go on sale Monday at Ticketmaster and TicketDirect, and for full tour dates see therock.net.nz or opshopmusic.com

Meanwhile, New Year's Eve festival Rhythm & Vines announces its line-up tonight and as a special sneak preview, one of the headliners this year is hip-hop-pop-rock band N.E.R.D.. Featuring producer extraordinaire Pharrell Williams, N.E.R.D. were meant to play Vector Arena in February last year but cancelled due to recording commitments. However, New Year's revellers in Gisborne can expect to hear hits including Lapdance, Rockstar, and She Wants to Move. For the rest of the line-up check out rhythmandvines.co.nz.

Also on the touring track are Chemical Brothers who return to Vector Arena on March 2 in support of the Manchester dance duo's seventh album Further; before then Florida punks Against Me, who have just released their new album, White Crosses, play San Francisco Bath House, Wellington, Oct 1, and the Kings Arms, Oct 2; and provocative hip-hopper Sage Francis plays Galatos Oct 22 and San Francisco Bath House Oct 23.

- TimeOut