KEY POINTS:
DANCE/DJ
Holy drum and bass batman! It's a serious gathering of d'n'b heads in the Coromandel this Saturday. New Zealand Music Award nominee Bulletproof is joined by the raucous State Of Mind and the men synonymous with the drum and bass sound in this country, Concord Dawn. It has been a while since Concord Dawn has played together as a duo, with Evan now living in Vienna. But Evan's back, and along with his good mate Matt they will tear up the Coroglen for sure.
* Concord Dawn, State of Mind, Bulletproof, Coroglen Tavern, Coromandel, Saturday
MOTORSPORT
You thought the Big Day Out pulled the crowds, but this weekend even more people will attend an event spread between Auckland and Meremere over two days. The V4 Rotary Nationals last year attracted about 60,000 people to ogle and race cars that owners have no doubt worked on long and hard. Expect to see modified show and drag cars in action, many one-of-a-kind custom built vehicles, a celebrity drag race and, inevitably, the famed Rotary Bikini Jam.
* Show'n'Shine, ASB Showgrounds, Saturday; The Drags, Fram Autolite Dragway (formerly Champion Dragway), Meremere
FESTIVAL
Auckland's Harbour Festival returns this Anniversary Weekend with a fancy new name, and a gig of massive proportions. The jewel in the crown of the Aquatica Festival is the Legends Of Kiwi Rock gig on the Saturday night - imagine Th' Dudes, The Exponents and OpShop in the Viaduct with thousands of screaming fans and a big-time pyrotechnics display. Keep your eyes on the harbour too, with plenty of on-the-water action.
* Aquatica: The Auckland Harbour Festival - Viaduct Harbour Marine Village, 135 Halsey Street, Friday-Monday
JAZZ
Nathan Haines tours his slick brand of jazz-influenced dance music around the North Island over the next couple of weeks. Haines is celebrating the release of his new album Right Now, and many of the collaborators on the record join him on tour. English performer Vanessa Freeman joins soulful local singer Tama Waipara on vocals, with Mike Patto on keyboards, in a band including percussionist Miguel Fuentes.
* Nathan Haines Right Now tour Matiatia, Waiheke Island, Saturday; Astrolabe, Mt Maunganui, Sunday-Monday, see nathanhaines.com for upcoming dates
FESTIVAL
30,000 mostly young people gather this weekend to celebrate their faith by rocking out. The 17th annual Parachute Music Festival happens at Mystery Creek over the weekend. Acts on the main stage include Switchfoot, Adeaze, Spacifix, All Left Out, Rapture Ruckus and many more. Festivities begin at 11am on all days, and camping is available on site, although beware - mixed tenting is prohibited, unless you're married. Also remember that this event is alcohol-free.
* Parachute 08 Mystery Creek, Hamilton, Friday-Monday
ROCK
He's recently been signed to one of the hippest labels in music (DFA), he has released two albums on our own iconic Flying Nun label, and he plans to take off to London with his band very soon. That all makes for a compelling case to catch Nick Harte and his band Shocking Pinks at one of their three dates. It's lo-fi rock that the indie kids can dance to from one of our hottest musical exports right now.
* Shocking Pinks, Whammy Bar, St Kevins Arcade, Friday; Dogs Bollix, Newton, January 31; San Francisco Bathhouse, February 8
SOUL/POP
A couple of bands from yesteryear give us all a dose of misty-eyed nostalgia this Tuesday. Billy Washington's latest incarnation of The Drifters will perform classics including Under the Boardwalk, Up on the Roof and Save the Last Dance for Me. Meanwhile with guitarist and singer Spencer James and drummer Eddie Rothe joining original band members John McNally and Frank Allen, The Searchers, will also be belting out their classic rock.
* Billy Washington's The Drifters and The Searchers - Skycity Theatre, Tuesday, 7.30pm, Ticketek
TOUR
Over this weekend, fans of the great Joe Cocker will be imbibing a little more wine than usual. Cocker is the headline act at three winery gigs this weekend, each dubbed A Day On The Green. Imagine Cocker in full voice singing Have A Little Faith, with the sun going down over the grapevines and a crisp pinot gris in your grasp. Tempting isn't it? Local legend Midge Marsden and blues sensation Hammond Gamble provide support.
* A Day On The Green with Joe Cocker, Mudhouse Winery, Waipara, Saturday; Allan Estate, Martinborough, Sunday; Villa Maria Winery, Mangere, Monday. See www.ticketmaster.co.nz
