Earlier in the week we told you about the forthcoming reopening of the St James Theatre on Queen St as a multi-purpose venue which will allow rock bands and fashion shows, dance parties and private functions to have a home in the centre of the city.
Already, according to what we have heard from A Highly Reliable Source, the grand old venue is booked every weekend until Christmas from its proposed opening date later next month.
Detroit DJ Stacey Pullen, whose style incorporates everything from his early Kraftwerk-influenced techno to ambient jazz and Afrobass, is scheduled to appear there on Friday September 22.
And we can announce another act playing in the restored cinema: Cali-punk popsters No Doubt will play a return bout (after their previous Powerstation showing) under the lovely old dome on Thursday, October 26. Tickets on sale on Wednesday through the usual outlets.
Around town this coming week there's something for everyone.
Cigar-chewin' author, singer, iconoclast and self-styled "Texas Jewboy" Kinky Friedman brings his blend of country and cynicism, anecdote and acid wit to the Powerstation on Tuesday.
And full throttle-rockers, United States skatepunk bands MxPx and the Ataris, are at the same venue on Wednesday.
That man with the big voice and ceiling-rattling acoustic guitar, Paul Ubana Jones, plays the Atomic Cafe, Ponsonby Rd, on Wednesday (and Reva's, Whangarei, on Thursday).
Gary McCormick and Hammond Gamble appear at the Bull and Gate, Albany, on Thursday. The tribute band to you-know-who, Babba, play the Sky Theatre on Thursday and Friday.
Coming up, there's a compelling argument to get to the Powerstation on Friday September 8: Stellar*, Breathe and betchadupa. These are good days for ambitious young rock bands: Zed have topped the charts and Tadpole's debut album, The Buddhafinger, has already gone gold.
They set off on a national tour on Saturday, September 9, with a gig at the Mandalay in Newmarket, then it's down to Taupo (Axis Bar, Thursday Sept 14), Ohakune (Hot Lava, Friday Sept 15) and so on through until Invercargill, where they U-turn and head back north. Coming to a venue near you, is what we say.
<i>Fanfare:</i> Restored cinema packs them in
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