Opinion - The Aotearoa music ecosystem is at a point where local artists can sell out stadiums, rule the charts and airwaves, and headline festival line-ups, writes Yadana Saw.
UTR Presents
It is universally agreed that Wax Chattels are a must-see live act and their eponymous debut album captured this perfectly. Their hypnotically sinister debut was released in May 2018 and was supported by six months of relentless touring: a NZ tour, two tours of Australia, a stint in the UK and two major North American tours. The album reached #7 on the Official New Zealand Album Charts, and album release week saw the title feature as #1 in Rough Trades ‘Top 20 New Releases and AV Clubs most anticipated album. The albums success at home and abroad led to the well-deserved nomination of Best Alternative Artist at the 2018 New Zealand Music Awards, as well as the bands inclusion in the coveted shortlist of finalists for the Taite Music Prize and Auckland Live Best Independent Debut Award. After a knock-out debut, the anticipation that surrounds their sophomore album, Clot, is immense.
AUCKLAND, NZ – May 26, 2021 – Following the success of 2020’s inaugural festival, Live Nation in association with Auckland Unlimited, is proud to present Elemental Nights 2021 as part of Elemental AKL. Thanks to the Trans-Tasman ‘bubble’ gateway, .
The show is being held as part of the Elemental Nights 2021 concert series, which will also see Australian artists Julia Jacklin, Courtney Barnett, and The Chats take advantage of the Trans-Tasman travel bubble to return to Auckland for individual gigs. Tickets for all four concerts go on sale Monday, May 31. More artists will be announced to join the bill of Elemental Nights 2021, which is being held as part of the second edition of Elemental AKL.
Chris Skelton
Australian artist Courtney Barnett will play at the Auckland Town Hall on July 25. Melbourne-based, indie pop/folk, singer-songwriter, Julia Jacklin will give a rare solo performance drawing on songs from her extensive catalogue as well as her critically acclaimed, 2019 album