Auckland Live are thrilled to announce their 2022 lineup for May, to celebrate TE MARAMA PUORO O AOTEAROA | NZ Music Month and Auckland UNESCO City of Music. With a series of free and paid events, performances and exhibitions across the city centre, there will be something for all Aucklanders to join the celebration of our music.
Auckland Live will highlight this year’s NZ Music Month – ‘Level Up’ theme across their programme by showcasing up-and-coming musicians, and celebrating the success of new artists making waves in the local music industry. Throughout the month, Auckland Live will host a range of music events and activations that will provide a platform for these emerging artists, sharing their talent with the city. Information on the full lineup can be found on the Auckland Live website, with a snapshot of events below:
- Indie-pop trio KITA will treat audiences to their thick psychedelic grooves in Aotea Square at an unmissable, free outdoor concert on Fri 6 May. Synth-wizard ZUKE (The Black Seeds, Trinity Roots, Troy Kingi) will be shaking up the Square beforehand, and live visuals performer (VJ) and artist, Naomi Lamb from The Wanderer Productions (Splore, Rhythm & Vines), will bring dazzling, real-time imagery to accompany the music performances. The concert will include NZSL interpreters provided by Platform Interpreting NZ, with New Zealand Sign Language Week kicking off the following week.
- For one night only, four of NZ’s hottest emerging indie artists will perform at the iconic Wintergarden, The Civic on Sat 14 May as part of Young Gig Makers – Indie Rock in the Garden. Supported by Auckland City of Music, featuring Max Earnshaw, Haven, Keeley Shade, and Benjamin Mack, audiences will be treated to an evening of great vibes, local talent, and a chance to see ‘the next big thing’ in action. Tickets go on sale from 9am, Wed 27 April.
- Founded in 2019, FromThePit 2022 Music Photography Exhibition is a free celebration of live music photography from some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most notable concert photographers. Kicking off on Wed 4 May, the exhibition will take place at venues across the city, including on the Auckland Live Digital Stage in Aotea Square every Wednesday – Friday between 12pm – 6:30pm until the end of the month.
- After enormous success last year, the Historical Music Venues Tour is back every Thursday and Sunday between 8 – 26 May. Hosted by author, historian, and music legend Gareth Shute (Audioculture), the free tours will be taking you on a brand new journey this year from Karangahape Road down to Aotea Square, stopping at a number of quintessential music venues with rich histories. Keep an eye out on the Auckland Live website, because two of the tours will include NZSL interpreters provided by Platform Interpreting NZ, with exact dates to be confirmed soon. The tour can also be self-led through the Auckland Stories app on Apple Store or Google Play.
- Towards the end of the month, New Zealand-based DJs will take the decks in front of the historic Auckland Town Hall for Sounds of Aotearoa. Playing sets with a heavy focus on Kiwi music, they will be providing a live soundbed for stunning digital projections by Creature Post on the clock tower. This free event will be on for two nights only, on Fri 27 and Sat 28 May and is proudly brought to you by Auckland Council.
- Auckland Live is proud to support NZ Music T-Shirt Day, returning on Fri 27 May. Kiwis are encouraged to wear their favourite Kiwi artists or bands merch to raise awareness and funds for MusicHelps, an incredible resource providing mental health and financial support for those in the industry. Donations can be made by texting MUSIC to 2448 to donate $3. More information can be found on the website.
- A range of ticketed events will be held across Auckland Live and Auckland Stadium’s venues throughout May, including Lilypad featuring Bic Runga, The Veils, Nadia Reid and Arahi on Sunday, May 8th. The much-loved Bruce Mason Centre monthly event, Auckland Live’s Morning Melodies returns on Mon 9 May, as well as a range of stunning classical music concerts at Auckland’s Town Hall
Audiences are key to the story of NZ Music, and Auckland Live is calling out for Aucklanders to share their memories or stories of New Zealand music. Share your story – it might even be shared with Auckland Live’s wider audiences, too!
For information on all events across TE MARAMA PUORO O AOTEAROA | NZ Music Month supported by Auckland Live, please visit Auckland Live’s website.