Music Month having an impact

Today marks the first day of the ninth year of New Zealand Music Month and statistics suggest people respond to it by supporting local acts.

The New Zealand Music Commission said last May one in four albums sold were from local artists (33,061) - an increase of over 80 per cent on April.

The figure was comparable to the previous May, despite a drop in the overall retail market.

Last May one in nine singles sold in New Zealand were from a local artist, a growth of over 40 per cent on April and an increase of 120 per cent on the previous May.

- NZPA