Oops, sorry about that folks. Every time I get a full-time job, site updates get about as reliable as Wellington’s train network. I stopped going out on weeknights after a couple of overly-optimistic promises of “show starts at 9pm sharp”. And with all the money I’ve saved by being a shut-in, I’ve rediscovered the joys of film – and accidentally started collecting medium-format cameras:
Let me make it up to you: I dug up some lost gems in the digital equivalent of the closet floor, and now the gallery archive goes back to the start of 2004, when I finally moved up to a digital camera that didn’t take floppy disks. If you squint, you can almost make out Trucker’s 10th anniversary reunion show (with sets from both of the band’s lineups), The Datsuns in their prime, and The Mint Chicks’ first Hamilton show, where Kody climbed out Soundproof’s first-floor window, climbed along the awning and back in the other side of the stage – and got threatened with a swift beating from the bar manager – in the middle of the set.
If you’re in Wellington and a little bit jaded about the International Arts Festival, take a visit to Popup Gallery on Ghuznee Street. ‘Tigerbuttah: the Retro Art of Becky Dreistadt’ is on display til 18 March and it’s absolutely beautiful.
Traditionally, the week of Hallowe’en is a time for celebrating the souls of the departed. In Mexico, they celebrate El Día de los Muertos – the Day of the Dead. In Western Europe, it’s the Feast of All Souls. And in Wellington? It’s time to celebrate the ressurection of The Cosbys, New Zealand’s greatest blue-eyed soul sextet.
It’s been a year and a half since The Cosbys’ last reunion special. Eighteen bleak months without their foot-tapping, horn-laden, beer-soaked Northern Soul. But for one night only, this Hallowe’en, Auckland’s answer to Dexys Midnight Runners are back from the dead. Make sure you’re at Mighty Mighty on Saturday 31 October for this awesome show. Cosbys reunions are rarer than zombie apocalypses these days.
Wellington, you’ve outdone yourself. Last weekend was fantastic: great sets by Family Cactus, Dictaphone Blues and Sing Songs, catching up with old friends and making new ones, an awesome picnic, and I even got to ride Felicity’s sweet bike. I didn’t think you’d be topping that in a hurry.
But look at all the awesome stuff on offer this week! Sub Pop’s cutest couple, Handsome Furs play the Bathhouse tonight. Door sales are $40 (with a limited number of $20 student tickets, according to UTR). Up the road at Mighty Mighty, Crack Wednesday is back with Tommy Ill, Crackhouse 5, Rap Authoritar, and Crackhouse DJs till late. Crack Wednesday is the most fun you can have in the middle of the week, and the poster has a sweet bear on it:
The Kitchen Sink hosts The Listening Post at Watusi on Thursday. There are board games, giveaways, and a great cocktail menu. Check out the contents of last month’s Listening Post.
Liam Finn, Eliza-Jane Barnes, Lawrence Arabia and Connan Mockasin are Having A Baby at the Opera House on Friday night. Not only are these guys some of NZ’s best young pop songwriters, they’re also some of the most energetic and unpredictable performers you’ll see. Tickets are available from Ticketek.
And it’s back to Mighty Mighty on Saturday, for Disasteradio’s homecoming show. After five months trotting the globe, playing every festival in Europe and a quickie wedding in Las Vegas, D-Rad is back in Wellington and ready to party with Frase (of Frase+Bri) and Signer. Don’t miss it!
