thebigcity

Entry 01,415 · Est. 2002

thebigcity

New Zealand Music and Christchurch Culture

Venues

Star and Garter

The Star and Garter Tavern was a long-running Christchurch pub on Oxford Terrace, demolished following earthquake damage sustained in the 2010–2011 Canterbury earthquake sequence.

l artists

Leadleg

Sydney-based post-punk band formed by Christchurch veterans Jonathan Ogilvie and Michael Daly (both of YFC), active in the late 1980s. Their track 'Caboose' appeared on Failsafe Records' South compilation documenting the Christchurch alternative scene.

Radio Stations

The Attic 96.1FM

The New Zealand Broadcasting School (NZBS) at Ara Institute of Canterbury has operated on 96.1FM in Christchurch since the mid-1980s under a unique model: second-year radio students create an entirely new station brand each year, from concept and pitch through to on-air launch, advertising sales, and multimedia expansion. Known brands include The Attic (2013), Waves (2023), Bassline (2024), and Kokako 96.1 (2025). Alumni include Mike McRoberts, Kris Faafoi, Clarke Gayford, Jack Tame, and Miriama Kamo.

k artists

David Kilgour & The Heavy Eights

Solo project of David Kilgour, co-founder of The Clean and one of the architects of the Dunedin Sound. Active since 1991, the Heavy Eights name covers his rotating collaborative band across nine albums, most released on Merge Records.

Live Music Reviews and Photos

Lawrence Arabia/Samuel Flynn Scott Photos

[flickr-photo:id=466070725,size=s] [flickr-photo:id=466064262,size=s] [flickr-photo:id=466063924,size=s] @ the Dux de Lux [20/04/07] see more photos from this show at flickr Lawrence Arabia

Venues

The Physics Room

The Physics Room is a non-commercial contemporary art gallery in Christchurch, founded in 1996 from the South Island Art Projects organisation, and one of New Zealand’s most significant spaces for experimental and contemporary art. Operating from 209 Tuam Street for most of its history, it regularly hosts music, sound art, and performance events alongside its visual arts programme.

i artists

Idiot Prayer

Dunedin noise rock trio active 2010–2012, who played 45 shows and released free recordings of every one via Bandcamp. Their sole studio EP Falconer (2011) appeared on MUZAI Records and Monkey Killer Records.

m artists

Model Home

Christchurch indie rock quartet, formed in Woolston. Released debut album …And Nobody Made A Sound in 2023 through Papaiti Records and False Peak Records.

Venues

Christchurch Polytechnic Students Association

Post-earthquake Christchurch live music venue, operated by Wendy Alfeld at 126 Madras Street (the CPSA/CPIT student association building). Capacity approximately 1,000. Hosted Carl Cox, Shapeshifter, Katchafire, Ladyhawke and others from 2012 to around 2016.