Music

New Zealand Music

The sounds of New Zealand music have captivated audiences for 30 years, from the early melodies of the Finn brothers to today's stars of rock, pop, hip hop, electronica and indie music. Find out about New Zealand music festivals and music magazines, plus how our music fares in the big wide world.

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New Zealand music has developed to become an essential part of our national identity. In all genres of music in New Zealand, we have musicians who have achieved national (and sometimes international) recognition.

Popular New Zealand music of today has its roots in prominent bands such as Split Enz, which was founded in the early 1970's and had a number of successes here and in Australia, thanks to the winning combination of brothers Tim and Neil Finn. Neil's post-Split Enz formation of Crowded House produced a string of hits. Dave Dobbyn is another national treasure whose strong lyrics and powerful tunes have captured New Zealand audiences for over 25 years. Since the 1970's, New Zealand bands and musicians have had countless successes on the New Zealand music scene.

• New Zealand pop and rock music is going strong, with the sounds of Shihad, The Feelers, Zed, The Datsuns, Fur Patrol and Goldenhorse making their mark.
• Kiwi hip hop artists Che Fu, Nesian Mystik and Scribe have all become household names, following in the footsteps of American rap, but forming their own uniquely Pasifika style.
• Electronica has entered the New Zealand music scene, with the successes of Salmonella Dub, Concord Dawn, Shapeshifter, Minuit and Pitch Black ensuring the dance scene is alive and well in Aotearoa.
• Indie and alternative music lovers will enjoy the sounds of iconic songsters The Clean, who have maintained a place at the heart of music in New Zealand, alongside The Headless Chickens, The Straitjacket Fits and, more recently, bands such as The Brunettes, Cloudboy, Fly My Pretties and The Checks.
• Solo artists are also making it big in New Zealand; the voices of Bic Runga, Hayley Westenra and Anika Moa all offer unique vocal stylings.

New Zealand Music Festivals
For those wanting the music festival experience, there are annual events such as the Big Day Out, an Auckland event that attracts thousands and delivers a day of musical entertainment from local and international acts in the genres of rock, pop, alternative and electronic music. The Parachute Festival is a Christian music festival held annually in Hamilton, presenting a lineup of bands who want to offer listeners a message of positivity through music. The Rippon Festival is a bi-annual event held at the Rippon Vineyard in Wanaka, featuring a lineup of high profile New Zealand bands. Find out more about these New Zealand music events.

New Zealand Music Magazines
If reading about music in New Zealand is more your scene, there are a number of music publications that feed readers the latest news, reviews and rising stars from the music world. Rip It Up is our oldest music magazine, having first been released more than 25 years ago, and features reviews, articles and interviews with New Zealand bands and international artists. Real Groove magazine is aimed at music and culture lovers, and is packed with interviews with leading bands and musicians, plus reviews of the latest albums, films and games. The New Zealand Musician Magazine is a hands-on music magazine, providing not only reviews of albums and features on musicians, but information on musical instruments, equipment and tuition. Find these and more New Zealand music magazines here.

The Future of New Zealand Music
Despite platinum record sales in New Zealand, many Kiwi artists fail to make an impression on the worldwide music scene. While Government efforts to change this have so far proved fruitless, we have to credit them for supporting the arts.

In 2007, state broadcasting funders NZ on Air will spend $2.15 million on music videos and recordings by New Zealand musicians. Music industry insiders say the key to international success is getting into a niche market, like New Zealand band The Checks, who have recently signed to British indie music label Full Time Hobby. By necessity, New Zealand artists must relocate to find international success, so with sadness we bid our up and coming music stars a fond farewell, as they strive for stardom in far-off lands. With the lightspeed progress of music technology (think mp3's and music mobile phones), New Zealand bands will be in direct contact with their listeners, both locally and around the world. The future for New Zealand music stars looks bright.

Looking for more information? Find New Zealand music and New Zealand bands in the NZS.com directory.

Do you want to write for NZS.com, New Zealand's top Web directory? We are looking for New Zealand writers for our unique new article writing program - whereby you can write and submit articles for our website, and you will earn 50% of the revenue from the advertising on your article's page. Check out the Article Authors homepage to apply now!

Arts images from Flickr: Music Notes, Maori Carving and Wellington Sculpture.