Flowers celebrating away from home
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Auckland rockers Dead Flowers will be airing tunes from their self-titled third album, released this year, in New Year's Eve celebrations at the Dux de Lux today.
The band's singer and songwriter, Bryan Bell, performed an acoustic solo set with guitar and cello to open Alanis Morissette's huge free concert in Aotea Square last month. Bunyip are supporting Dead Flowers tonight.
Recapping from last week, other headliners whooping it up around town and beyond tonight include hard rockers Seven Tongues (Southlander Hotel), Area 51 (The Element), the Midge Marsden Band with Bullfrog Rata (Marine Tavern), Infusion (Green Room), and David Harrow's Tech Nova Sound System and Salmonella Dub (Sonic Bar, Kaikoura).
Fatboy foray: Prominent British dance artist Fatboy Slim is booked to play in Christchurch next month. The DJ/bassist and former member of The Housemartins is making his sole New Zealand club appearance at the Ministry on January 16.
Fatboy Slim will be spinning tunes from his Skint labelmates, as well as unleashing sounds of his own such as Going Out of My Head, the crazed loungecore of Everybody Loves a 303, and the beat recipe The Rockafeller Skank.
He has also remixed tracks such as Cornershop's Brimful of Asha and the Beastie Boys' Body Movin'.
Gathering steam: Dance enthusiasts have been asked by organisers to take plenty of water to replenish themselves for The Gathering, which starts at Canaan Downs, near Takaka today.
The Gathering has become a focus for New Zealand electronica, and live acts on the bill this year include Salmonella Dub, Baiter Cell, Bunyip, Epsilon Blue, Freq, King Kapisi, Pitch Black, and David Harrow's Tech Nova.
More than 100 DJs are expected to appear.
Seven dance zones -- covering styles including trance/techno, dub, hip-hop, ambient lounge, tribal, industrial, house, and garage -- have been established for the 48-hour, alcohol-free event.
No gate sales are available, however, Galaxy Records in Christchurch and Everyman Records in Nelson may have a limited number of tickets for last-minute buyers.
Exponents on way: The 25-date summer tour of favourite Kiwi good-time band The Exponents will reach Christchurch next week.
The band, playing with special guests Breathe and DJ Slowdeck, are appearing at The Occidental next Thursday, at the Ashburton Hotel on Tuesday, January 12, and at Molly McGuires, Nelson, on Wednesday, January 13.
Jordan Luck and crew will perform older hits such as Victoria and I'll Say Goodbye, as well as newer songs like One in a Lifetime and Close.
Wellington pop/rock band Breathe will play music from their well-received debut album Pop Life. To coincide with the tour they have released the single and video Get To You.