Cityscape City Edit September 2023

CITYSCAPE | CHRISTCHURCH CURATED September brings all kinds of gigs our way. Kiwi reggae from Katchafire. Sing-along classics from Tim Finn. Comedians by the barrowload. Time too to plan your summer festival season.

Relax – let Cityscape be your guide to making the most of everything.

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Contents

CITYSCAPE MAGAZINE City Edit September 2023

CITY EDIT SEPTEMBER 2023

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF & PUBLISHER

Andrea Rickerby EDITOR

Mark Wilson

06 // BRIGHT + SHINY Fresh from the salons of Milan Design Week comes a trend we can all take a shine to – metallics.

16

HISTORY REPEATS

20

HAVING A LAUGH

CREATIVE

Tristan Brehaut ADMINISTRATION

Claire Ross

08 // NEWSFEED Tip-offs, trends & more.

10 // WHAT'S ON What's happening during the month of September.

11 // RAPPER'S DELIGHT We talk to Matt ‘Suffa’ Lambert of Hilltop Hoods on the eve of Hilltop Hoods’ Christchurch gig.

18 // PARTY PLANNER Lineups are starting to drop and tickets are going on sale – time to start planning your summer festival calendar!

24 // THE LAST WORD Jeremy Corbett and the 7 Days comedy circus are on tour. For Jeremy, it's all about the golf.

ON THE COVER

Tim Finn is taking the songs of Split Enz, Crowded House and his solo material back on the road.

Fans of live comedy, get ready for a slew of international and local talent bringing the laughs to Christchurch.

12

IT'S A WHĀNAU THING

22

For Katchafire’s Logan Bell, nothing beats making music in a band made up of his whānau. After two decades together, family connections remain the band’s bedrock.

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SOMO Creative Ltd somocreative.co.nz Cityscape is a division of SOMO Creative Ltd. Cityscape is subject to copyright in its entirety. Opinions expressed in Cityscape are not necessarily those of Cityscape. Editorial contributions welcome. No responsibility taken for unsolicited submissions. Prizewinners will be notified by phone and email. If Cityscape is unable to contact the winner within 14 days, Cityscape reserves the right to draw another winner. Cityscape reserves the right to use image/name of competition entrants for publicity purposes.

ENTERTAIN ME

ISSN 2324-4879 print | ISSN 2324-4887 online

TV, books, music and podcasts.

Katchafire's hectic tour schedule will bring them to Christchurch in September.

04 CITYSCAPE.CO.NZ City Edit September 2023

FOR MORE NEWS, INTERVIEWS, CULTURE AND EVENTS HIT UP CITYSCAPE.CO.NZ

1

BRIGHT + SHINY

Fresh from the salons of Milan Design Week comes a trend we can all take a shine to – metallics.

2

4 5

3

8

6 7

9 10

1 Puff Pendant Lamp (RRP $2990) from ECC 2 PS20 Poéle Chair (POA) from Alessi 3 Pilotis "Console" (POA) from Minotti 4 The Arco K 2022 Limited Edition Floor Lamp (POA) From ECC 5 Tacchini Torus Pouf (POA) from Monologue 6 Stone Pestle and Mortar (RRP $448) from ECC 7 Plum Moscow Mule Set (RRP $215) from ECC 8 Croma Floor Lamp (RRP $6,062) from ECC 9 Plum Martini Glass Set (RRP $335) from ECC 10 Melt Portable LED Lamp (RRP $645) from ECC

06 CITYSCAPE.CO.NZ City Edit September 2023

HILLS BOUTIQUE

SPRING AT THE COLOMBO THECOLOMBO.CO.NZ

NEWSFEED TIP-OFFS, TRENDS & MORE

ROYAL RAVE The opulent Edwardian style of the Isaac Theatre Royal is about to get gate-crashed by a minimalist black-box visitor and a horde of 24-hour party people. That’s dope! The ITR’s new Stagehouse venue creates a boiler-room setting on the actual stage. Two events this month will launch the space.

First up is an early-morning dance party featuring locals Beacon Bloom on 1 September, followed the next night by big beats and heaps of energy from rising Kiwi hip-hop star Wax Mustang.

CHEERS! Congratulations to the talented team at North Canterbury winery Black Estate for winning Winery Restaurant of the Year in the 2023 Cuisine Good Food Awards. Also in the South Island, Amisfield, in Queenstown, has again been named Restaurant of the Year.

CURATOR'S GIFT

VIVA L’AKAROA!

DR LIBBY’S ROADIE Everybody’s favourite nutritional biochemist, Dr Libby, is bringing her ‘Bouncing Back’ roadshow to Christchurch on 14 September. It’s all about thriving, not just surviving, says the good doctor. It’s not as difficult as you may think - small, simple changes can make a big difference.

Break out your berets and sailor shirts and mark the date for next month’s Akaroa French Festival.

The three-day party includes family-friendly variety acts, French cuisine demonstrations, a fashion parade and also the World Famous Cock Crowing Competition. akaroafrenchfest.co.nz

08 CITYSCAPE.CO.NZ City Edit September 2023

Tyson Campbell has kicked off his three-year tenure as SCAPE’s new managing curator with a lineup of artists handpicked to bring a new perspective to the 25-year-old festival of public art. Tyson set artists Ming Ranginui, Te Ara Minhinnick, Synthia Bahati, Susu, Tūi Matira RanapiriRansfield, Denise PorterHowland, Priscilla Rose Howe and Maioha Kara the theme of 'The Gift' for the SCAPE season, which opens on 25 November and runs to 17 February 2024 in central Ōtautahi Christchurch.

09 CITYSCAPE.CO.NZ City Edit September 2023

NEWSFEED

WHAT'S ON CULTURE CALENDAR

SEPTEMBER MORNING PEOPLE FEAT. BEACON BLOOM MUSIC Beacon Bloom will be

spinning the wheels of steel for this early-morning dance party in the ITR’s new Stagehouse venue.

Alcohol-free, dress to sweat. Isaac Theatre Royal, Fri 1 Sep, 6.30am

7 DAYS LIVE

COMEDY Jeremy Corbett leads

a cast of comedians in an evening of stand-up followed by a no-holds barred version of 7 Days. Christchurch Town Hall, Fri 1 Sep

ILIZA: HARD FEELINGS TOUR COMEDY American comedian, actor

and television host Iliza Shlesinger has made a name for herself with high-energy shows that play on the absurdities of modern life.

Aurora Centre, Sat 2 Sep

WAX MUSTANG MUSIC A new venue at the ITR and a

rising star in Kiwi hip-hop come together for a night of big beats in a black-box setting. The Stagehouse, Isaac Theatre Royal, Sat 2 Sep

HILLTOP HOODS MUSIC The Australian hip-hop

giants jet in for one night of beats and mayhem, with Auckland rapper Freddy Reynold in support.

Ngaio Marsh Theatre, Sun 3 Sep

DR LIBBY TALK Everybody’s favourite

nutritional biochemist, Dr Libby, is bringing her ‘Bouncing Back’ roadshow to Christchurch.

Charles Luney Auditorium, Thu 14 Sep

THE COOL MUM

KATCHAFIRE

DANCE NATION

MUSIC The roots masters celebrate

THEATRE Somewhere in small-town

25 years of bringing Kiwi reggae to world audiences with a nationwide tour that hits Ōtautahi for one night only. Good Home Ferrymead, Sat 16 Sep

America, a pre-teen troupe of dancers is ready to claw their way to the top. The Court Theatre, Sat 23 Sep – Sat 21 Oc

TIM FINN MUSIC In his show ‘The Lives and

Times of Tim Finn’, the master performer and songwriter returns to the stage with a full band and a set list that covers Split Enz, Crowded House and his solo work.

Christchurch Town Hall, Wed 20 Sep

JO PRENDERGAST: THE COOL MUM COMEDY Christchurch psychiatrist,

author and comedian Dr Jo Prendergast unleashes the dodgy parenting advice of her alter ego, Jo Ghastly. The Piano, Sat 23 Sep

MY FAIR LADY THEATRE Showbiz Christchurch and

the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra combine to tell the story of Eliza Doolittle and Professor Higgins. Featuring a score filled with show-tune classics. Isaac Theatre Royal, Thu 21 – Sat 30 Sep

LADIES NIGHT THEATRE Anthony McCarten and

Stephen Sinclair’s hit play Ladies Night returns home after becoming a global hit. New cast, new buff bods, just as funny as ever.

James Hay Theatre, Sat 30 Sep, 4pm & 8pm

T

ell us about last year’s sold-out Australian arena tour. The ‘Show Business’ tour was amazing. It felt like the first time that we’d been properly back on the road since the start of the pandemic. So honestly, that was probably the highlight. Don’t get me wrong, the shows were amazing, but that feeling of returning to live music was huge for me. Also, we took along A.B. Original and Elsy Wameyo for the ride and they crushed it. That was great to watch. And you’ve just completed your biggest UK/ Europe tour. How was that? The UK and Europe were amazing.

Some of the biggest shows that we’ve ever done over there. It was crazy going into their summer and seeing how the festivals are popping off over there again. We actually played this huge reggae festival in Cologne called Summer Jam, which was a highlight. So I guess we’re Australia’s biggest reggae band now! You are now heading to New Zealand on tour.

Anything in particular you are looking forward to? We actually were able to play at Coronet Peak last year, but yeah, we didn’t get to do a full tour. We’re just looking forward to getting back to New

RAPPER’S DELIGHT Just being back in front of a live audience is thrill enough for Matt ‘Suffa’ Lambert of Hilltop Hoods. We talk to the rapper on the eve of Hilltop Hoods’ Christchurch gig.

Zealand because in a lot of ways, it feels like a second home. The countryside is beautiful, the crowds are amazing, and of course, Queenstown is the home of the Fergburger. What can you tell us about the set list? It’s a mix of tracks new and old. We’ve sort of been refining it over the last year or so. So New Zealand audiences get to benefit from that, haha. They didn’t have to watch us work out the kinks. What is one thing you hope audiences take away from your performances? I guess I hope that they feel like they got their money’s worth. We pride ourselves

on our live show. The biggest compliment an audience member can give us is coming back. For the first time we’re bringing our full show to New Zealand – horns, lighting, AV. Are you packing your winter woollies for Queenstown’s Snow Machine festival? The funny thing is that our show is so physical that in the snow, we still play in shorts. Last time we played at Coronet Peak, we played in shorts and came off sweating like pigs, haha. How healthy is Australia’s hip-hop scene in a market dominated by traditional pub rock? Hip-hop is huge in Australia right now. I think that it’s fair to say that pub rock has taken a back seat (at least for now) to hip-hop, electronic and indie pop. There’s more hip-hop artists in Australia right now than there’s ever been.

That’s partly because hip-hop’s so accessible to the average person but it’s also because it’s becoming such a popular genre. You have rapper Freddy Reynold as support – how did that come about? He’s making a name for himself and that cut through. I’m really looking forward to seeing him perform.

‘Silver, Green and Gold’ is my joint at the moment. hilltophoods.com

11 CITYSCAPE.CO.NZ City Edit September 2023

IT’S A

WHĀNAU THING FAMILY CONNECTIONS REMAIN KATCHAFIRE’S BEDROCK AFTER TWO DECADES TOGETHER. THE ROOTS REGGAE MASTERS’ HECTIC TOUR SCHEDULE WILL BRING THEM TO CHRISTCHURCH IN SEPTEMBER.

I

t’s been a while since Katchafire performed in Christchurch. There was an epic gig at The Esplanade in New Brighton in 2005. Yes, that was a real meat and potatoes venue for us. It would have been a quintessential Katchafire gig, that one. We’ve been back to New Zealand every year except for during COVID but it’s been a while since we played Christchurch.

Has your relentless touring schedule slowed down at all? No. We’ve just completed an eight-week tour of the US. That’s a bit longer than we like to be away – five to six weeks is usually the limit. But we’re very blessed to have this much work available. America and elsewhere are screaming out for Katchafire so we keep making hay.

Who is on the tour? We’ve got the full band and the full horn section. Every horn section here in New Zealand is busy so we have to share! Some of our horn section also play with Troy Kingi, for example. They’re very talented musicians.

You’ve played festivals all over the world – which ones stand out for you? Wellington’s Homegrown is one of my favourites. We’re all Kiwi musicians. It’s just the mana and seeing the stands and everyone buying into that.

New Zealand music is second to none, I love

12 CITYSCAPE.CO.NZ City Edit September 2023

IT'S A WHĀNAU THING

‘OUR KIDS ARE ALL KNOCKING ON THE DOOR, FORMING BANDS, INTO PRODUCTION, THEY’VE GOT THEIR LAPTOPS.’

it. Internationally the best would probably be Spain’s Rototom Sunsplash. 10 days of reggae – everyone who’s big in reggae plays there. Another one is Germany’s Summer Jam – we usually play that but we’ve put it off to next year.

Do you still treat audiences to those legendary long gigs? No, we haven’t done a four-hour gig since the early 2000s. The longest now is two hours. We’ve got to make room for the support! Looking back, I don’t know how we did it, to be honest.

Katchafire: Logan Bell (guitar, vocals); Jordan Bell (drums, vocals); Leonard ‘Leon’ Davey (percussion, vocals); Tere Ngarua (bass); Roy Kaiki (keyboards, vocals); and Wiremu Barriball (lead guitar, vocals).

You are probably celebrated more outside New Zealand – why do you think that is? It’s the old thing – that’s my uncle, my brother, my cousin... As Kiwis, we don’t celebrate our homegrown things as much as we should. It’s only when other people recognise them that Kiwis go ‘Oh, we should celebrate them’. You have to make it overseas to be a big deal at home. But we’re Kiwis, we’re down to earth, we know how that rolls. In the US and elsewhere, people are much more fanatical.

Certainly in Hawai’i – you’re huge there.

That was a real shock to us. We went to Hawai’i in about 2005. The internet was just taking off and all of a sudden there was a huge demand for Katchafire in the islands.

The first show we played there was to open the Pro Bowl NFL exhibition match at Aloha Stadium. It was packed with 50,000 people.

That was our first taste of a show in Hawai’i, hearing all those people singing our music back to us.

13 CITYSCAPE.CO.NZ City Edit September 2023

14 CITYSCAPE.CO.NZ City Edit September 2023

IMAGE: BARRON WALTON

LOGAN IS LISTENING TO...

‘Wanted’ by Jamaican reggae singer Lila Iké. I know the producer and we’ve played a lot of shows with Lila. Really feeling the vibes there. Also ‘Keep That Smile’ by Son & Water.

Is there strength in being a whānau-based band? Definitely. Just being able to approach tough things as a family has made it a lot easier. When you’re doing it with your dad, your brother, your brother-in-law, you can deal with adversity together, the ups and downs are a lot easier to face. It still means so much to us that we do this independently and as a family and brothers.

IMAGE: BARRON WALTON

Who’s the cook? Whoever’s not working!

I like to delegate the cooking to Leon, he loves his kai. And me, I like to cook.

Speciality? High-grade sashimi, raw fish, especially when we’re in the islands.

How long before the next generation joins the band? They’re already taking on music.

My son Tane is off to Jazz School in Wellington next year. Leon’s son Wineera is playing lead guitar in a band out of Raglan called Messiah with the kids of Cornerstone Roots. And Jordan’s son Cairo as well. They’re all knocking on the door, forming bands, into production, they’ve got their laptops.

How do you prepare for a gig? As a band we perform karakia before every gig, taking a moment to ready ourselves. For me, I’ve got a steam inhaler I use to moisturise and warm up my vocal cords. I find the best thing for me is rest, get a good night’s rest after a gig and before the next one.

Do you have any views on the failure of cannabis law reform in New Zealand? I think it would have been very good and beneficial if it had passed and I was disappointed it didn’t when we came so close. I also think it might have been one or two years too soon for New Zealand’s psyche and attitude. I think over the next year or so we are going to see a change in attitude on the matter. We are catching up with the rest of the world but New Zealand is quite conservative. If the referendum had been a year or two later it would have been a different outcome but we may not get a chance to repeat it.

Good Home Ferrymead, Sat 16 Sep, katchafireofficial.com

15 CITYSCAPE.CO.NZ City Edit September 2023

TIM FINN IS TAKING THE SONGS OF SPLIT ENZ, CROWDED HOUSE AND HIS SOLO MATERIAL BACK ON THE ROAD. WE TALK TO HIM AHEAD OF HIS CHRISTCHURCH SHOW.

IMAGE: KAREN INDERBITZEN-WALLER

HISTORY REPEATS

HISTORY REPEATS

Y

ou’ve got a huge catalogue of songs to choose from – how was it coming up with a set list? I had done a one-off show in Manly towards the end of last year. For the first time I played the songs in the order they had been written. It started in 1977 with ‘My Mistake’ but I only got as far as the early ‘90s before it seemed the right length. I’ve added in a few extras for this tour, but again, it’s chronological. It somehow suits my natural theatrical bent to play all these characters and go through the years with them again. It’s probably the closest I’ll get to re-living my life. Are you looking forward to being back on the road after such a long break? It's been more than a decade since I’ve toured. I’m excited to do shows with this band who play the old songs so inspiredly. They love engaging with the music of the Enz, Woodface Crowded House and my solo material. We are playing in beautiful rooms with sound and lights designed and controlled by equally creative spirits. Our daughter Elliot will be singing BVs. So much to look forward to. What else is different?

When songs have been part of people’s lives for a few decades, they kind of belong to them as much as you. So to perform them live is to share something that evokes memories but also creates something in the here and now.

There’s nothing to prove that hasn’t been proven, nothing to gain, nothing to lose, the thing that happens won’t be about a new album or trying to convince you of something. It has a kind of innocence and intimacy that would have been impossible for early Enz to achieve. We were a band that walked the fine line between extreme self-absorption and wanting to entertain the crowd. It was like we had had a revelatory experience of some kind and we were trying to convey it. Any radically different arrangements?

I'm going to play with tempos with

a couple of them. But we will do fairly faithful versions as the original arrangements are so strong. Split Enz in particular spent days and weeks working out the parts. If it aint broke! That audience must be quite multi-generational now? Yes, I noticed that in that Manly show.

There were younger people there who had probably never seen me live, but when they recognised a song I could see it in the body language. I’ve been told that a couple of DJs in Auckland have been playing ‘Nobody Takes Me Seriously’ in the clubs so I’ve included that in the set. An older crowd member said to me through the fence as I was leaving the backstage area at a festival “You’ve still got it, Tim!”, which was gratifying as I could tell he must have seen some early Enz shows.

Sometimes people tell me they remember a show from the ‘70s and you realise that an intense performance is not an ephemeral thing. Are you tempted to break out any of the old Split Enz costumes for the tour? I still like to wear a suit but not a Crombiedesigned one. The thing about the Split Enz costumes, handmade as they were by Noel (Why hasn’t anyone done a podcast with Noel where he talks you through his process?), was that they worked all together. Once we were ready to go on, we had become this organic sculpture with 12 legs. It was the best feeling in the world to subsume your individual personality into this larger-than-life entity. Tell us about your best/ worst experience on tour. I'm not saying best or worst but what came into my head was that in 1981, Split Enz played two shows in one night at the Whiskey in LA. As we went on for the first set I saw Bette Midler in the wings. Then after the second show, Donna Summer walked into our dressing room. It was surreal. Two divas in one night (to the tune of ‘4 Seasons in One Day’). What can you tell us about

‘Sometimes people tell me they remember a show from the ‘70s and you realise that an intense performance is not an ephemeral thing’

your band for this tour? Apart from Elliot on BVs I have NZ musician Brett Adams on guitars and vocals. He played with The Mockers back in the day and is an outstanding singer and musician I’ve worked with for nearly 20 years now. Then I have bass, keys, drums, sax/clarinet/flute. All gifted players with whom I’ve had many a fine time playing festivals in Australia.

What have you been up to lately?

I’ve been making albums with friends such as ex Enz keyboardist and producer Eddie Rayner, Roxy Music guitarist Phil Manzanera and Irish songwriter Andy White. I also collaborated on a new opera called Ihitai ‘Avei’a – Star Navigator, which was produced by New Zealand Opera. And I’ve been writing musicals. I’ve been busy but most of it happens at home, which is how I prefer it these days. Who would be your dream collab?

They’re already happening. Last year I had a new musical produced

by Melbourne Theatre Company adapted from a short story by Kazuo Ishiguro, one of my top three living authors. When we sent him our script and song lyrics, he emailed us saying he was "blown away”. As someone who thinks of novelists as the Olympians of the arts, it doesn’t get any better than that! What advice would you give to your younger self? Kick back, have fun, don’t take it too seriously … all the usual stuff.

Christchurch Town Hall, Wed 20 Sep, premier.ticketek.co.nz

17 CITYSCAPE.CO.NZ City Edit September 2023

Read our full Q&A with Tim at cityscape.co.nz

PARTY PLANNER

LINEUPS ARE STARTING TO DROP AND TICKETS ARE GOING ON SALE – TIME TO START PLANNING YOUR SUMMER FESTIVAL CALENDAR!

MUSIC

NORTHERN BASS

NEW YEAR’S EVE RHYTHM & ALPS Bring in 2024 with 10,000 of your closest friends in the spectacular Cardrona Valley, deep in the Central Otago mountains near Wānaka. Acts announced include: Benee, Fat Freddys Drop, Ocean Alley, Peking Duk, Synthony.

Wānaka, 29 – 31 Dec, rhythmandalps.co.nz

RHYTHM & VINES From its site at Waiohika Estate vineyard, this is the first festival in the world to welcome the first sunrise of the new year. Acts announced include: Wilkinson, Hedex, Peking Duk, Gin Wigmore, BBYFACEKILLA Gisborne, 29 – 31 Dec, rhythmandvines.co.nz

Calling all bass heads, dub heads and old-school ravers – this one’s for you. Feed your ears in the summer hotspot of Mangawhai.

Acts announced include: Unknown T, Calibre, Goldie, Hedex, Lee Mvtthews, Montell2099, Netsky, Sigma, Sub Focus.

Mangawhai, 29 – 31 Dec, northernbass.co.nz

NYE ‘23 Coroglen Tavern, The Coromandel’s legendary music venue, has three days of sweet sounds and sick beats this year. Acts announced include: The Upbeats, State of Mind, Tiki Taane, Dolphin Friendly, The Black Seeds, Dillastrate.

Coromandel, 29 – 31 Dec, nye23.co.nz

ROLLING MEADOWS Drum ‘n’ bass, hip-hop and EDM for

the hardcore crew, plus a bit of skate action on the side. Acts announced include: Netsky, State of Mind, Drax Project, Melodownz, Church & AP, Dillinja.

The Bone Line, 30 – 31 Dec, rollingmeadows.co.nz

HIGHLIFE NYE Aiming to attract a “slightly more seasoned” audience, Matakana’s Highlife NYE is R22+. Getting glam is encouraged.

Matakana, 31 Dec, highlifenye.co.nz

18 CITYSCAPE.CO.NZ City Edit September 2023

PARTY PLANNER

2024

SELWYN SOUNDS With an annual lineup studded with the stars of yesteryear and an all-ages rating, this festival is popular with music lovers young and old(er). Acts announced include: The Human League, Go West, Nik Kershaw, The Mockers.

Lincoln, 2 Mar, selwynsounds.co.nz

JUICY FEST The touring hip-hop and R&B festival lands in Christchurch, Wellington, Tauranga and Auckland this summer. Acts announced include: T.I., Ashanti, T-Pain, Trey Songz, The Game.

Christchurch venue TBA, 3 Jan, juicyfest.co

HOMEGROWN

BAY DREAMS Both legs of this festival are on the move for 2024. Bay Dreams North will shift from Mount Maunganui to Tauranga and Bay Dreams South from Nelson to Queenstown.

Tauranga, 3 Jan; Queenstown, 5 Jan; baydreams.co.nz

ONE LOVE FESTIVAL A magnet for some of the biggest names in reggae from across the country and the world. Acts announced include: Sean Paul, UB40, Wyclef Jean, Shaggy, Julian Marley, Third World, Nesian Mystik.

Tauranga, 27 – 28 Jan, onelovefestival.co.nz

SPLORE “Mindful party animals” dress up and get down on the shores of Tāpapakanga Regional Park, Franklin in three days of music, performance and visual arts.

Auckland, 23 – 25 Feb, splore.net

What it says on the box – putting Kiwi music on the festival stage since 2008.

16 Mar Wellington Waterfront, homegrown.net.nz

FOOD + DRINK SOUTH ISLAND BEER FESTIVAL Over 30 beers and ciders from craft breweries all over the South Island.

Ilam Homestead, Sat 25 Nov, sibf.nz

SOUTH ISLAND WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL A celebration of South Island flavours set to a live soundtrack against the backdrop of Hagley Park.

Hagley Park, Sat 2 Dec, winefestival.co.nz

GREAT KIWI BEER FESTIVAL

ELECTRIC AVENUE 30,000 rockers, ravers and dub heads take over Hagley Park for a day of bangers, beats and sunshine.

Hagley Park, 24 Feb, electricavenuefestival.co.nz

The big daddy of beer festivals, with over 300 craft beers and ciders on tap in the January sun.

Hagley Park, 27 Jan, greatkiwibeerfestival.co.nz

MARLBOROUGH WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL Held in the heart of Marlborough's

wine country, this is New Zealand’s most enduring festival of food, wine and music.

Blenheim, 10 Feb, marlboroughwinefestival.com

WELLINGTON WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL Add champagne, gin and cocktails to the usual festival fare with this one (that’s so Wellington).

Waitangi Park, 24 Feb, wineandfoodfestival.co.nz

NORTH CANTERBURY WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL The “coolest little wine festival in the country” showcases the region’s top drops and eats Glenmark Domain, 3 Mar, ncwineandfood.co.nz

HOKITIKA WILDFOODS FESTIVAL Stalls full of weird and wonderful goodies, as well as a feral fashion show and West Coast beer.

Cass Square, 9 Mar, wildfoods.co.nz

HAVELOCK MUSSEL AND SEAFOOD FESTIVAL Savour the freshest fish straight from the ocean and the flavours of Marlborough's finest seafood.

Havelock Domain, 16 Mar, havelockmusselfestival.co.nz

RIPE: THE WĀNAKA WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL Enjoy premium wine and food from Central Otago producers served against a backdrop of panoramic lake and mountain views.

Glendhu Bay, 23 Mar, ripewanaka.nz

FOR MORE NEWS, EVENTS AND FESTIVAL ANNOUNCEMENTS HEAD TO CITYSCAPE.CO.NZ BENEE AT RHYTHM & ALPS 2023, IMAGE: INGMAR WEIN

19 CITYSCAPE.CO.NZ City Edit September 2023

BILL BAILEY

ILIZA SHLESINGER

20 CITYSCAPE.CO.NZ City Edit September 2023

F

rom the UK comes Kevin Bridges, Bill Bailey and Russell Howard; from the US, Iliza Shlesinger; and from Australia, Carl Barron. The 7 Days team swoops in for a live show, and Christchurch’s Jo Prendergast unleashes the dodgy parenting advice of her alter ego, Jo Ghastly.

Meanwhile, don’t forget the locals at Good Times Comedy Club and The Court Theatre’s Scared Scriptless, bringing you the laughs since ages ago. Time to get your diary out and mark these dates:

7 DAYS LIVE

HAVING A LAUGH Fans of live comedy, get ready for a slew of international and local talent bringing the laughs to Christchurch over the next few months.

Host Jeremy Corbett leads a cast of comedians in an evening of stand-up followed by a no-holds barred version of 7 Days, live and uncut.

Christchurch Town Hall, Fri 1 September

worldwide. His clean jokes and trademark relaxed delivery have won him legions of fans. In his new show, the master of observational humour asks how ants feel, among other things.

Isaac Theatre Royal, Sat 7 October

ILIZA: HARD FEELINGS TOUR

BILL BAILEY: THOUGHTIFIER

American comedian, actor and television host Iliza Shlesinger has made a name for herself with high-energy shows that play on the absurdities of modern life. She has six Netflix stand-up specials to her name: Hot Forever (2022), Unveiled (2019), Elder Millennial (2018), Confirmed Kills (2016), Freezing Hot (2015) and War Paint (2013).

Aurora Centre, Sat 2 September

Seamlessly blending his prodigious musical talent with a fresh take on some of our oldest jokes, Bill Bailey has rambled his way into the hearts of many Kiwis over the decades. He brings his new show, Thoughtifier, to town as part of a nationwide tour.

Christchurch Town Hall, Sat 4 November

JO PRENDERGAST: THE COOL MUM

There’s a lot of observational comics out there but it’s the little things that lift Kevin Bridges’ comedy to essential status. His eye for detail gives him the edge. This is his fifth live stand-up tour, having previously performed to sold-out audiences in Australia, New Zealand and all over Europe.

Christchurch Town Hall, Wed 8 November

Christchurch psychiatrist, author and comedian Dr Jo Prendergast unleashes the dodgy parenting advice of her alter ego, Jo Ghastly.

The one-woman show about parenting teenagers riffs on topics in Dr Jo’s book When Life Sucks, which takes a more serious look at the perennial subject.

The Piano, Sat 23 September

CARL BARRON: SKATING RINK FOR FLIES The gentle Aussie larrikin has headlined at every major comedy venue and festival and is one of the most sought-after comedians

what are now happier times although still with plenty of absurdities for him to pick away at as he sets the world to rights.

Christchurch Town Hall, Fri 2 February, 2024

EVERY WEEK BIG LAUGHS PRO COMEDY NIGHT Christchurch’s biggest regular comedy show with local, national and sometimes international comedians.

Good Times Comedy Club, Saturdays

FRESH COMEDY OPEN MIC With a different line-up and MC each week, you’ll see comics spinning new jokes, fresh gags and novel concepts every Wednesday.

Good Times Comedy Club, Wednesdays

SCARED SCRIPTLESS New Zealand’s longest-running improvised comedy show has The Court Jesters turning wild audience suggestions into hilarious comedy art.

The Court Theatre, Fridays

KEVIN BRIDGES: THE OVERDUE CATCH-UP

RUSSELL HOWARD: LIVE British stand-up Russell Howard is practically an adopted Kiwi now after he was able to bring his last show, Respite, to sold-out New Zealand audiences in the middle of COVID lockdowns. He will return in

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KEVIN BRIDGES

ENTERTAIN ME

BINGEWATCHING WHAT WE’RE HOOVERING UP ON THE SMALL SCREEN.

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01 — KIN If you like your series gritty, look out for season 1 of Kin. Charlie Cox leads this Irish gang war drama about a deadly feud between a small Dublin family and an international cartel. Co-stars Clare Dunne, Aidan Gillen and Ciarán Hinds.

02 — THE MORNING SHOW Back for a third season, this behind-the-scenes look at US morning television has many parallels for New Zealand viewers. This season, the future of the network is thrown into question and loyalties are pushed to the brink when a tech titan takes an interest. Starring Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon.

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03 — WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS From the hilarious original film set in Wellington comes this US series, now up to season 5 and still going strong. A look into the nightly lives of four vampires who have lived together on New York’s Staten Island for over a century.

READING

ONE OF THEM – SHANEEL LAL This memoir by 2023’s Young New Zealander of the Year, Shaneel Lal, captures the trials and triumphs of growing up transgender. In particular it traces Shaneel’s successful campaign to have conversion therapy banned in New Zealand. Inspirational and affirming.

THE RESILIENCE TOOLKIT – DR ALIA BOJILOVA In this practical handbook on building and sustaining your own resilience, peak-performance psychologist Dr Alia Bojilova draws on her work with the SAS, Olympic athletes, contemporary leaders and successful entrepreneurs to help you unlock your potential in everyday life.

HANDS IN THE DIRT – LEAH EVANS Subtitled ‘Grow your own kai with Mrs Evans’, this practical how-to-garden book covers all the basics of vege growing, including 40 simple, tasty family recipes.

The author lives in rural south Rotorua and lives off homegrown food year-round.

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ENTERTAIN ME PLAY LIST

The killer tracks on high rotation in the Cityscape office.

HERBS ‘Long Ago’ Sensitive To A Smile

STICKY FINGERS ‘Queen’ Lekkerboy

Listening ROYAL BLOOD: BACK TO THE WATER BELOW

Mike Kerr and Ben Thatcher, the noisiest duo since The White Stripes, return with a fourth studio album. The 10 tracks include May’s single ‘Mountains at Midnight’, which pulls no punches in announcing the band’s back-to-basics return.

HERBS: THE HERBS ALBUM COLLECTION All five albums by legendary Kiwi reggae pioneers Herbs, pressed onto coloured vinyl and packaged in a numbered box set. From their 1981 recording debut

SHAPESHIFTER ‘Amokura’ Single

depicting the Bastion Point eviction to 1990’s Homegrown, this is the definitive collection of songs from a band that holds a special place in Kiwi hearts.

RÓISÍN MURPHY: HIT PARADE The Irish avant-pop favourite returns with more of her signature idiosyncrasy in this collection of songs produced over several years with DJ Koze, he in Hamburg and she in London. The distance has resulted is a more intimate approach to the songs, and music that “explodes with colour”.

PODCASTS

CALL HER DADDY Alex Cooper has shrugged off the legal difficulties of a split with podcast co-founder Sofia Franklyn to take Call Her Daddy to a top-5 slot in NZ. Originally focused on relationships and sex, Alex has moved to women's rights, mental health and the importance of therapy.

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SINÉAD O'CONNOR ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got

NORMA TANEGA ‘You're Dead’ Walkin' My Cat Named Dog

THE GIRLS INTERRUPTED Sometimes, girls just wanna have fun, right! Screw the high-brow, let’s chat about everything and nothing. That’s the premise for this laugh-out-loud or share-a-cry New Zealand podcast by Brodie Kane, Caitlin Marett and Gracie Taylor.

THE LAST WORD

ADULT JOKES FOR ADULTS Ringmaster Jeremy Corbett is taking the 7 Days comedy circus back on the road for another series of live shows. No cameras, no censors, no lawyers. Gulp!

H

ow does it feel not having that TV safety net of editors and producers? Not too different really. There is a lot of rude nonsense talked during the recording of the TV show, and the live audience on the day seems to enjoy that. Our awesome edit team takes that and makes it 7:30pm TV-friendly. The live tour is much like the recording. It's great fun. Does it make you bolder? I think I speak for the other comedians when I say it’s about being funny first. Knowing we can be a bit risqué just gives us more options. It’s not rude for the sake of it, but sometimes it’s great to make jokes about adult stuff with other adults!

What’s one thing people probably don’t know about 7 Days? In terms of the live tour you’re probably not aware that it’s actually a golf tour with the odd performance thrown in. I suspect there’s quite a lot they don’t know about the TV version. Like my pre-show ritual, or my induction of new recruits. All top secret, I’m afraid. They’re probably not aware of the amount of work our production team puts into every show. It’s a full week with several people on board to get this pig in the air! Is it good to get out of the Auckland bubble?

Yup! Love it! But in terms of bubbles, like most Aucklanders, I live in a bubble within the Auckland bubble. Auckland is merely a collection of bubbles. Like a bathtub of cheap champagne. Tell us about the audiences – where are they the wildest?

Whanganui does the most yelling from

‘WHANGANUI DOES THE MOST YELLING FROM CARS. INVERCARGILL HAS THE MOST FIGHTS IN THE THEATRE DURING THE SHOW.’

cars. Invercargill has the most fights in the theatre during the show.

Anywhere in particular you are looking forward to performing? My home town of Palmerston North of course ! Always makes me proud and The Regent is a beautiful theatre.

Great to get back to Palmy and I always pick up a T-shirt from the wonderful folk at Pork Chop Hill.

Buy one when you are there.

Anything on the cards for when you’re in Christchurch? Did I mention that Christchurch is my equal favourite? Haha. But honestly we’ve always had great support from Christchurch. I’d say our biggest audiences have been there. Golf is on the itinerary and I love to wander around seeing how the city is piecing itself back together. You’re doing a great job, IMHO. If you weren’t doing what you are now, what would you want to be? Astronaut. Can you organise something? If you could invite any three people living or dead to a dinner party, who would they be? Dead would be the best. Jimi Hendrix, Albert Einstein and the guy who invented the chicken crossing the road joke.

Christchurch Town Hall, Fri 1 Sep, 7days.co.nz

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