Lorde didn't hold back on the surprises - or the f-bombs - at her Laneway make-up show. So was it worthy of a two-time Grammy Award winner?

Photos from performances and all the action at Laneway Festival at Auckland's Wynyard Quarter.

Chris Schulz talks to Savages, expected to be the loudest act at Laneway.

Rising local star Watercolours talks to Lydia Jenkin about following her own artistic path.

The Big Day Out came back with a bang. Here are the best bits - and one gripe - from a day otherwise full of highlights.

Rachel Bache takes in Paramore's Sunday night show in Auckland.

Big Day Out headliners Pearl Jam paid an emotional on-stage tribute last night to a young Kiwi fan who was killed in a freak boating accident.

Die-hard music fans willing to breach bail conditions and jump fences were among a small number of trouble makers at yesterday's Big Day Out.

It may have had the old name - and some of its old bands - but this Big Day Out felt like a whole new event.

Their riffs are ragged and they're raw but whatever you do, do not refer to Mudhoney as a 'grunge' band. They talk to Chris Schulz.

Despite clashing with the headliners, the Deftones are excited to be coming to the Big Day Out and determined to have a blast, they tell Chris Schulz.

Grouplove fans can expect a lot of headbanging and a big party atmosphere. They talk to Lydia Jenkin.

The Hives are back for another frenzied 'human to werewolf' round on the BDO main stage. They talk to Chris Schulz.

P-Money, Alisa Xayalith and Rodney Fisher give us a guided tour of the new-look Big Day Out.

Four acts have been named on a bill that will see punk stalwarts Pennywise reunited with their original vocalist, and Kiwi act Sommerset reform.