Beastwars
Wellington sludge metal band whose 2019 album IV debuted at number one on the NZ Albums Chart.
Beach Pigs
Auckland indie and pop-punk four-piece who released their debut EP on Arch Hill Recordings in 2012, followed by the album Grom Warfare in 2014. Known for their high-energy live shows and sun-soaked guitar pop.
Alaska!
Auckland indie folk project who released the album FLAWS in 2012 before evolving into Farah Loux. Active in the Auckland independent music scene of the early 2010s.
Live Music: Black Boned Angel, Sandoz Lab Technicians, Alex McKinnion and Lee Noyes at the Media Club
FLASHBACK to June 2008 — Borderline Ballroom at the Christchurch Media Club with performances from Black Boned Angel, Sandoz Lab Technicians, Alex McKinnion and Lee Noyes.
Glass Vaults
Wellington electronic pop duo Richard Larsen and Rowan Pierce, whose albums have been released on Flying Out and UK label Melodic.
Purple Pilgrims
New Zealand sister duo Clementine and Valentine Nixon — great-granddaughters of Scottish folk musician Davie Stewart — whose devotional dream pop spans Not Not Fun Records and Flying Nun. Albums: Eternal Delight (2016) and Perfumed Earth (2019). Now also recording as Clementine Valentine.
What’s new: artist profiles, Musician Index, and Radio!
A roundup of recent updates: 18 new and refreshed artist profiles, a new Musician Index under Resources, and the brand-new thebigcity.co.nz: Radio! streaming playlist.
Seth Frightening
Wellington neo-folk musician Sean Kelly, who has performed alongside Grizzly Bear and Jónsi.
Loves Ugly Children
Christchurch alt-rock trio active 1989–1998. Fronted by Simon Maclaren (vocals/guitar) with Angela “Floss” Leslie (bass) and Jason Young (drums). Released two Flying Nun albums — Cakehole (1995) and Showered in Gold (1997) — plus numerous EPs. Reunited in 2024; released Lost Demos 12″ on Acrid Plume Records in 2025.
Minisnap
Christchurch indie-pop trio formed in the early 2000s by three-quarters of The Bats, with guitarist Kaye Woodward stepping up as principal songwriter and vocalist. Rooted in the jangle-pop of the Dunedin Sound. Debut album Bounce Around (2008, Pocket Music); a follow-up album is mastered and awaiting release.
Lawrence Arabia
Christchurch-born singer-songwriter James Milne recording under the name Lawrence Arabia. Indie pop shaped by 1960s classicism, wry storytelling, and sophisticated arrangements. APRA Silver Scroll winner (2009, ‘Apple Pie Bed’) and inaugural Taite Music Prize recipient (2010, Chant Darling). Five solo albums on Lil Chief, Honorary Bedouin, Bella Union, and Flying Nun.
Leila Adu
New Zealand composer, vocalist and pianist of Ghanaian descent. Studied at Victoria University Wellington and Princeton. Known for blending electropop, avant-classical, and singer-songwriter traditions. Now professor at NYU Steinhardt.
Awesome
Alias of Dunedin’s Dianne Smith (Lucy Lurex, Lady Die). One-woman show using Casio keyboard with built-in tape deck. Also performed with International Telepaths, Murdering Monsters, and numerous other underground projects.
The Aesthetics
Dunedin destructo-rock outfit formed in 1995 by Matt Middleton (aka Crude). Trashy but sinister post-punk noise rock inspired by King Loser, Snapper, and the Dead C, with numerous lineup changes over three decades.