Pop meets soul in odd match-up

In what has to be the strangest pairing of musical acts we've seen in this year, London pop duo Mattafix are playing a show with Sola Rosa.

Mattafix last played in New Zealand for Edgefest, after their hit Big City Life went to number one. Sola Rosa are better known here for their downtempo soul and Latin grooves. Mattafix play at SFBH, Wellington, on September 27 and the Studio, Auckland, on September 28. (Sola Rosa only play Auckland.)

A better suited pair will also be playing this month. Atlanta's Yin Yang Twins are coming to New Zealand for the first time. The Dirty South crunk duo emerged in 2000 but it wasn't until 2003's hook-up with Lil' Jon that brought them worldwide success. You'll also know them from their recent album, United States of Atlanta, which spawned the hit Wait (The Whisper Song) and hits Shake with Pitbull and Ms New Booty with Bubba Sparxxx. They play the St James on September 9.

Princess Superstar, the blonde New York nymphette who first came to fame as a mouthy hip-hop artist, plays a DJ set at the St James on September 23. Her mission? "To create dance music for a disco at the end of the universe," she says in reference to her recent, futuristic album, My Machine.

Blindspott are heading out on the road with a nationwide tour in October, their first on such a scale in three years, to celebrate their second album End the Silence.

They play at the Roadhouse, Papakura, on September 6 and an all-ages gig at the Studio, Auckland, on September 14. Grrr.