Mark Lanegan has long been one of the most magnetic and mercurial rock vocalists. Blues Funeral, his first solo album in eight years, could be his best work yet.

The night before he relocated to New York City, a 19-year-old Nathan Haines nearly had his plans derailed by a close encounter with the boys in blue.

Shihad have played an intimate gig for around 200 police staff and family members in Manukau today after an employee won a radio competition to have the band play for her and her workmates.

Photos of Elbow performing at The Powerstation in Auckland.

Fresh out of their first SXSW experience, Electric Wire Hustle will be basing themselves in Berlin for six months with three main goals: getting more shows in Europe, releasing their second album and having a decent crack at America.

Tooled up with an arsenal of drums, guitar, synth bass and loop pedals, Cairo Knife Fight brought the noise to SXSW for a week of shows and Texas barbecue, and survived to tell the tale. Here’s their blow-by-blow account of one week in Austin.

David Dallas travelled to Austin Texas in 2009 to play SXSW

Evanescence singer Amy Lee tells Lydia Jenkin how her focus has helped get the band through rocky times.

Ahead of their ‘The Meanest’ tour next month, Murray Cammick recalls how he met a leatherjacketed, longhaired, take-no-prisoners and impossibly young Wellington group by the name of Shihad.

Photos from Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti show with Geneva Jacuzzi and Poor You Poor Me at the Kings Arms, Auckland.

The original Isle of Wight festivals (1968-1970) featured legendary performers such as Bob Dylan, The Who and Joni Mitchell, to name a few.

Jess Hosking did not get to live a long life. The 19-year-old Kiwi lifesaver died in her sleep from an undetected heart condition. Jess' parents got to meet Taylor Swift last night and fulfil her dream.