For a city that too often seems sadly concerned with its musical past as opposed its future, it was refreshing to see the sixth birthday relying heavily on youth and new talent for its celebrations.

Scott Kara commentates on the commentators of all the channels covering the Rugby World Cup games.

Brother, they want me to write you a review but I’m not going to do it. Another book is out. Your collected works.

Cute titles. How do I feel about cute titles? I feel that the authors have to work a couple of degrees harder to justify them. New Zealand-born, Britain-based Connell works very hard indeed in her second romp - and with reasonable success.

In complete contrast to Jeremy Toy's work as Opensouls soul-funk monster songwriter and guitarist, She's So Rad is his dreamy, electronic, fuzz-laden solo project, his first outing as a vocalist too, with contributions from Sami Sister Anji.

As the name might suggest, the song Boom Boom Da Na is mostly a load of prattling drivel, something not usually associated with prolific grime poet Wiley.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say this compilation proves radio is not dead. With syndicated shows in 17 countries, BBC DJ Gilles Peterson embodies the word influential.

TrinityRoots' third coming saw a refigured lineup coming together to continue the legacy of one of New Zealand's best-loved bands.

Summoning the crowd to the dance floor with a jam reminiscent of Mara TK's roots in blues and psychedelic grooves, Electric Wire Hustle announced their intention to bring their unique blend of forward-thinking hip hop, soul and rhythm to Auckland.

Graham Reid reviews Pull Up Some Dust and Sit Down by Ry Cooder.

Apparently Kimbra had tentatively intended to replace the catchy bom-bo-bom-ba vocal hook on the track Settle Down with a similar horn line or a beat, but I'm glad she didn't.

Tim Finn and his little brother will be dusting off their songbooks for the pre-tournament festivities tomorrow night, but the elder's latest solo album shows his side of the family jukebox has just undergone a major refresh.

Simultaneously melodramatic and emotionally inert, this story of a quartet of photographers who documented the viciously bloody conflict between ANC and Inkhata supporters in 1994 is like an action photo with all the life airbrushed out of it.

Louisa Young's enthralling novel begins in the gorgeous, leafy light of upper-class Edwardian England where wealthy, bohemian-ish families plan lives filled with art and beauty, and ends in a darkened world transformed by the violence and pain of World Wa

John Boyne, author of The Boy in Striped Pyjamas, has published a new novel with links to World War I. The Absolutist traces the experiences of a young serviceman through a deft weave of past and present.

Here's a turn-up. Kravitz - who has released some self-indulgent stinkers in the past - returns with his best album since 1993's Are You Gonna Go My Way.

Love him or loathe him, he does what he does well.

In this volume the Griffith writers look inward and backwards to gain some fresh insight into not only their own lives but the lives of us all.

Just as Ayrton Senna rose above being just another fast driver in his decade of Formula 1, this film of his life rises above being just another sports doco.

The Chilis still manage inspired moments without guitarist John Frusciante.

This Finnish documentary, surely the best film ever made about men sitting in saunas, will not be for all tastes.

Good time listening, horn-driven party music mostly, and the stepping stone to that remarkable Palmer doco.

It's business as unusual for a band big on chords and enjoyably familiar progressions, hook-filled pop-rock, sometimes lazily obvious lyrics and the occasional sense of Cheap Trick-like irony.