KEY POINTS:
REGGAE
Fresh from recording his latest album in Jamaica with the legendary Sly and Robbie, San Francisco-based musician Michael Franti revisits New Zealand for a gig next week. The outspoken songwriter pulls no punches politically, and with his band Spearhead he'll have the Powerstation rocking to his funky take on reggae and hip-hop sounds. Franti is a regular visitor and even name-drops Tame Iti in one song.
Michael Franti and Spearhead - Powerstation, Auckland Central, October 7
AWARDS
For the first time, the Vodafone NZ Music Awards will be held at Auckland's Vector Arena, and the public can head along to support their favourite Kiwi musicians. Leading the nominations are Tiki Taane and Liam Finn. Other possible winners include Anika Moa, Opshop and Flight Of The Conchords. Tiki, Shihad, Kora, Cut Off Your Hands and Anika Moa are among those performing at the awards next Wednesday.
Vodafone NZ Music Awards - Vector Arena, 34 Mahuhu Crescent, Auckland CBD, October 8, 6pm
ROCK/POP
Los Angeles-based Kiwi singer-songwriter Greg Johnson is back, proudly brandishing a new album. Of his eighth studio album, Seven Day Cure, Johnson says that because of the additional tweaking that's been going on "it is sounding stunning".
Greg Johnson - Toto, Auckland, October 8, 15, 22, 29; Harrington Hall Theatre, Pukekohe, Oct 11; Bar Mode, Palmerston North, Oct 16; San Francisco Bath House, Wellington, Oct 17, 18; Sawmill Cafe, Leigh, Oct 25; Salut, Whangarei, Oct 26
WORLD
Many in Auckland's Indian community will be excited by the arrival this week of Lehmber Hussainpuri. He is known as one of the finest Punjabi singers in the world, and if you are familiar with bhangra music you may have even heard his voice gracing tracks in this upbeat and relatively modern Indian genre.
Many in the Western world will be already familiar with bhangra thanks to its regular fusion with reggae, hip-hop and drum and bass.
Lehmber Hussainpuri - ASB Stadium, Auckland Central, October 4
FOLK/COUNTRY
The Willard Grant Conspiracy come with an air of uncertainty. The alt-country folk band are more like a collective that has grown around principal songwriter Robert Fisher of California. About 30 musicians from Massachusetts, Arizona, New York, London, Holland, and Japan could lay claim to being in the group: the shifting line-up depends on availability. They play 4.20 in Auckland on Friday night and expect a unique blend of accordions, mandolins and guitars.
The Willard Grant Conspiracy - 4.20, Oct 3, K Rd, Auckland
CLASSICAL
The Jerusalem Quartet - recognised as one of the most dynamic and exciting quartets performing in the world today - returns to Auckland this month as part of a five-centre New Zealand tour. The Jerusalem Quartet last toured New Zealand in 2006, and have since played at festivals throughout Europe. The musicians released an all-Schubert disc CD featuring the Death and the Maiden quartet, coupled with the Quartettsatz.
The Jerusalem Quartet - Auckland Town Hall, Oct 3, 7pm, see listings for other dates
DJ/DANCE
The headline act for Friday night's Godskitchen party at the Vector Arena has had a big year. Dutch superstar trance DJ Sander Van Doorn just completed an album-release tour that saw him play everywhere from Colombia to Slovakia, proving trance music is truly a global sound. There's no doubt his uplifting beats will have the Vector heaving with thousands of enthusiastic ravers tomorrow night.
Godskitchen Angel In White Party -Vector Arena, Auckland Central, October 3
THEATRE
Toa Fraser's play Bare was originally staged by the Silo Theatre in 2006, and has been remixed for a new season starting next week. Oliver Driver directs Morgana O'Reilly and Curtis Vowell as they bring 15 different characters to life, "from gym hottie to chain-smoking divorcee, from street kid to Fijian patriarch". Aucklanders get the opportunity here to see their city reflected through theatre.
Bare - Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre, Auckland Central, October 8 to 18
