It's one year on from what we now laughingly refer to as The Big One, so whazzup this New Year's Eve? Well, if you happen to be in Las Vegas you'll be delighted to know Axl Rose and a band of unknowns (you do remember Axl, don't you?) will be performing as Guns N'Roses. First gig in seven years apparently. Also in the former Tuatown you could catch the David Cassidy special or the Osmond Brothers' New Year's Eve Show.
Huh. And you thought that self-styled entertainment capital would have had the good stuff stitched up?
It makes our New Year's Eve look pretty flash, what with a swag of dance parties in the centre of Auckland, and all within easy stumbling distance of each other. A couple are bannered as odysseys, which we think means you are in for a long night — or Peter Urlich dressed in some kind of ancient Greek bedsheet and open-toe sandals.
After last year's wash-out on New Year's Eve, this one — yeah yeah, the real one for maths nerds — can only be better. And we've got a bit to put behind us, too. Despite our meagre haul of bathplugs in Sydney, another flogging by the French and being under economic house arrest by the declined dollar, there are reasons to be cheerful.
We're not in Las Vegas for a start. And we've got a a lot happening to take us into Arthur C. Clarke's big year. 2001, here we come.
Here's a sampling of what's on offer, from the hedonistic to the alcohol-free.
Other than these, it's all back to your place, right?
NEW YEAR'S EVE — AUCKLAND
BURN
Where: St James, Queen St
What: And, oh baby, will you. If the soles of your feet aren't begging to be extinguished after shuffling and sliding to over 30 dance acts in seven different rooms at one of this years must-be-at events, then you can't have danced hard enough. Includes Cream residents DJ Les Rhyder, the Lagered crew (on a double shift from the Powerstation), Havoc (likewise from Titanic), Three Green Apples and Kog Transmissions. Lorne St will also be closed off and used as a chill-out area.
When: From 9pm
Info: One ticket for all rooms $49 (first 500), then $69. Available from St James box office, selected outlets. Ph 0800 2BOOKIT (0800 2 266548) or go to www.2bookit.co.nz
2001: A DANCE ODYSSEY
Where: Auckland Town Hall, Aotea Centre, Civic Wintergarden
What: Circus Productions say they've scored a coup in securing chart-topping British dance-music diva and turntable-spinning singer Sonique. At the Aotea Centre, the Metalheadz show has drum'n'bass DJs Storm, Digital, MC Rage and NZ's own Presha. Across at the Town Hall are English house music blokes Phil Asher, Roy the Roach with support from Roger Perry, Clarkee, Chris Coz and Burgess. The already sold-out Civic Winter Garden features Auckland sultry house music duo Urlich and Bevan Keys, the pair also known as Nice'n'Urlich.
When: From 10 pm.
Info: The $99 tickets — limited to 4000 — are for entry into Aotea Centre and Town Hall. The $149 VIP tickets get you into the above and the Wintergarden.
2001 A VIP DANCE ODYSSEY
Where: Cirque Bar, Force Entertainment Centre
What: Split into two dance zones; Progressive and Deep House. What? Don't worry, if you're like most of us and as clued up on dance music as on the dancing itself, there's little cause for concern. By the time the Town Hall tolls midnight, it's all going to sound pretty much like the Venga Boys. Apply your lycra liberally and slip into some rib-crunchingly tight spandex and you'll fit in nicely. If what's going on inside doesn't pique your interest, have a glance out of one of Cirque Bar's vast windows and watch (if your fuzzy vision allows you) the madness unfold in Queen St below.
When: From 8 pm
Info: Tickets $30. Go to www.cirquebar.co.nz
TITANIC NYE
Where: Ferry the Lady Wakehurst, on the Waitemata Harbour
What: All aboard for the New Year's Eve edition of this successful series of dance parties held throughout the past two years on the harbour. Enjoy the fireworks from an unequalled vantage point, and if you have the stomach for it (or anything left in it) dance to a soundtrack courtesy of DJs Mikey Havoc, Roger Perry and Gideon.
When: Starts at 9 pm, departs wharf at 11 pm. Back at 2 am with a 4-4.30 am departure to see the sun rise.
Info: Tickets $70. Go to www.titanic.co.nz
FIRST NIGHT AUCKLAND 2001
Where: The Edge, Aotea Centre, Aotea Square
What: Over 400 performers and 80 acts will be on show at this alcohol and drug-free event for the whole family. Performances will range from stilt walkers to Christian metal music to flamenco dancing.
When: Gates open at 5:15 pm, celebrations begin at 6 pm and end at 1 am.
Info: Admission is free. Go to www.firstnight.co.nz
LAGERED! WELCOME 2001
Where: Powerstation. Mt Eden Rd
What: The city's only all-ages dance party from the turntable crew of Sample Gee (playing a three-hour set), the Marshall, General Lee and Nick Collings.
When: From 8 pm to 4 am.
Info: Tickets $40. Go to www.samplegee.com
DisFunkTion
Where: St Barnabas Hall, Clive Rd, Mt Eden.
What: An alcohol and drug-free non-profit dub, drum'n'bass, trance and deep house gig featuring George FM drum'n'bass DJ Hoani.
When: 10 pm
Info: Pre sales $15, door sales $20.
Ph 815 2543
NEW YEAR'S EVE — OUT OF TOWN
THE GATHERING
Where: Cobb Valley in Golden Bay (moved from Canaan Downs site of previous years).
What: A four-day, four-year-old alcohol-free dance music festival. This year over 150 DJs are involved and play in six different dance zones. All forms of dance music are catered for — everything from dirtiest drum'n'bass to the corniest hands-in-the-air house. This year's line-up includes Pitch Black, Salmonella Dub, King Kapisi and that local dance music icon, Chris Knox.
When: Runs from midday December 31 to midday January 3.
Info: Tickets $160. Go to www.gathering.co.nz. E-mail: info@gathering.co.nz
Dickiesnation
Where: Urupukapuka Island, Bay of Islands
What: The North Island's equivalent — or more correctly Auckland's answer — to the Gathering. Yet another dance music extravaganza, this one under a 1200-person all-
weather marquee, featuring an assortment of mostly Auckland DJs and musicians who are sponsored by clothing company Dickies: Soane, Manuel Bundy, DLT and 48 Sonic all appear. Camping sites available.
When: From midday Dec 31 to midnight Jan 2.
Info: Tickets $100, ferry trip from Paihia or Russell $20 return. Ph (09) 273 6344 or eastside@hotmail.com
2001 THE PARTY
Where: Haruru Falls, Paihia
What: The moshers' alternative to all the dance mayhem with a greatest hits line-up of Kiwi rock bands: stellar*, Zed, Mary, Tadpole, Eye TV and Wash. The evening's MCs are comedians Ewen "The Westie" Gilmour and D. B. Brown.
When: From 2 pm Sun Dec 31
Info: Tickets $30 Go to www.isite.co.nz/
2001 or ph 0800NEWYEAR
SUMMER TOURS
DAVE DOBBYN'S MY KINDA PEOPLE SUMMER TOUR
What: A 26-date national tour, which features a back and ready-to-rock Dobbster — after the semi-acoustic niceties of the Together in Concert jaunt — playing in a host of pubs in holiday towns up and down the country. And Wellington.
When: Starts at the Roadhouse in Papakura on Thursday Dec 21 and ends on Saturday Jan 21 at the Theatre Royal in Nelson. Dobbyn and touring band — drummer Wayne Bell, bassist Mark Hughes guitarist Andrew Thorne — play New Year's Eve at the Whangamata Hotel.
Info: Tickets $20 to $35, depending on location. Go to www.davedobbyn.co.nz
OUTDOOR STYLES
What: A triple touring bill of Salmonella Dub, King Kapisi and Pitch Black
When: Begins at Pt Erin Pools, Herne Bay, on Saturday December 23 (where they're part of Music in the Parks) and finishes 21 gigs later — including appearances at the Gathering and Big Day Out — on Waitangi Day at Takahanga Domain, Kaikoura.
Info: Go to www.cosmosis.gen.nz/salmonelladub or www.
pitchblack.co.nz
JORDAN LUCK'S ROCK AND ROLL CIRCUS
What: With the demise of the Exponents you would have thought you'd said your last goodbye to Luck's raspy vocals and floppy hair. Instead he returns with a band of mates — ex-Exponent David Gent on bass, Dead Flower Bryan Bell on keyboards, guitar and vocals, guitarist Mark Bell, drummer Jay Foulkes and some other mates (Garageland and Breathe) — in support. His guitar case of singalong tunes should make summer just that little bit more familiar.
When: The North Island-only tour kicks off on Thursday December 28 at Tauranga's Grumpy Mole in Tauranga and comes to a close at the Kings Arms in Auckland on Sunday 12 January. They play New Year's Eve as the second night of a two-night stand at the Coroglen Tavern.
Info: Tickets $20.
WAXED
What: A local offshoot of the Warped skate-rock tour of past years which features an array of Kiwi pop, punk, ska and underground rock music as well as a host of champion skateboarders. Also on the bill for two of the shows are Fur Patrol and US band The Vandals. The 5.6.7.8's from Japan also put in an appearance.
Where/When: Three dates — Tuesday January 2 at Matakana; Thursday January 4 at Raglan and Saturday January 6 at Devonport.
Info: Tickets $35/$40. Phone 08002BOOKIT or go to www.liveinconcert.co.nz .
MUSIC EVENTS
THE BIG DAY OUT
What: The day-long music rock and dance music festival which demands great feats of stamina, patience and tolerance for intrusions into one's personal space. This year's bill features quite a line in ugly Americans (Limp Bizkit, Mudvayne), pyrotechnic Germans (Rammstein) must-see Brits (P. J. Harvey, Coldplay), some early 90s nostalgia (The Happy Mondays), and a hefty DJ and rap line-up — latest additions garage guy MJ Cole, Roots Manuva and the Godfather of hip-hop, Afrika Bambaataa, — and a solid list of local rock talent. No Shihad, though, which is the end of a fine tradition.
Where: Ericsson Stadium, Penrose, Auckland.
When: Friday January 19
Info: Tickets $85. Go to www.bigdayout.com
PARACHUTE 2001
What: The seriously big Christian music festival that includes 13 international acts including Newsboys, Third Day and Audio Adrenaline as well as nearly 100 New Zealand artists. Last year 18,500 people turned up. This year organisers are expecting 20,000.
Where: Totara Springs, Matamata.
When: Friday January 26 to Monday January 29
Info: Tickets Ph (09) 625 2970. Go to www.parachutemusic.com
BLUES BREWS & BBQS FESTIVAL
What: An outdoor day of local blues, beer and carnivorous gluttony with music from the Coalrangers, Darby Tuhaka, Rex Aptrex, and Celine Toner's "Shania Twain Show" which, we're guessing, is music and not a live make-up endorsement. Festival coordinator is the brilliantly named — considering the part-culinary nature of the event — David Mustard.
Where: Blake Park, Mt Maunganui
When: Thursday January 11
Info: Tickets on sale from Tauranga ANZ Branches, $12
AUCKLAND FOLK FESTIVAL 2001
What: The annual Auckland Anniversary Weekend gathering for the folk, bluesgrass, blues and Celtic-minded. Acts include Ray Fisher (from Scotland), Bluegrass Parkway (Australia), Christine Collister (England), Elle Osborne (England), Local Harvest, the Bluebottom Stompers.
Where: Kumeu Showgrounds
When: Fri 26 January to Monday 29 January
Info: Phone 445 2227 or go to www.kiwifolk.org.nz Tickets $60 for the weekend, $48 pre-registered.
* Compiled by Aidan Rasmussen, Graham Reid, Russell Baillie
Here comes New Year's Eve again
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