thebigcity

g artists

God Bows to Math

Auckland noise-rock trio God Bows to Math formed in 2008 and quickly became one of the most active bands on the Auckland underground circuit, releasing two albums and multiple EPs on Muzai Records.

Venues

The Bedford

The Bedford was Christchurch's premier large-capacity live music venue of the 2000s, a converted warehouse on Lichfield Street capable of holding around 1,000 people. Demolished after the 2011 earthquake, it was kept alive through a series of marquee pop-up venues by owner Wendy Alfeld — earning national recognition for keeping live music alive in the city through years of disruption.

e artists

The Eric Glandy Memorial Big Band

Auckland satirical country and western outfit whose one album, Adrenal Glandy (Flying Nun, FN048), was recorded live in 1986 with a baked-beans-recruited audience. Featuring the young Don McGlashan performing under a pseudonym, it sold approximately 40 copies.

e artists

Eyeliner

Vaporwave solo project of Luke Rowell (Disasteradio) from Lower Hutt, Wellington. The 2015 album Buy Now is regarded as a classic of the global vaporwave movement, and became the subject of a 33⅓ Oceania book in 2025.

Record Labels

Pseudoarcana

PseudoArcana is an underground experimental record label founded in Masterton, New Zealand around 2000 by sound artist Antony Milton. Operating primarily through limited-edition CD-R releases, the label has grown to more than 130 releases spanning experimental, drone, ambient, and avant-garde music, with a roster including Pumice, Seht, The Stumps, Purple Pilgrims, Paintings of Windows, and Peter Wright.

Live Music Reviews and Photos

ChartFest 2008

FLASHBACK to June 2022 — ChartFest 2008.

Venues

Warners Hotel

Warners Hotel at 50 Cathedral Square was one of Christchurch's most storied establishments, tracing its history from 1863 through to the February 2011 earthquake that led to its demolition. In the 1990s, its live music bar drew crowds of up to 800, hosting performances by Shihad, The Chills, Straitjacket Fits, Radiohead, and many of New Zealand's leading indie and rock acts.

e artists

Evil

Biography England-based trio of well-known ex-pats Dave Mitchell, Liz Matthews and Rod McLellan (aka Roddy Pain). Members Discography

Record Labels

Apoplexy

Apoplexy was a Christchurch-based experimental and ambient record label founded in 1998 by Peter Wright, who had previously co-founded the kRkRkRk label. Active from 1998 to 2003, the label released 18 experimental and ambient productions before Wright relocated to London, with highlights including his debut LP, Distant Bombs (2002), and Pariahs Sing Om (2003).

Radio Stations

Volcano Radio

Volcano Radio 88.5FM was a volunteer-run community radio station based at Shadbolt House in Lyttelton, broadcasting from February 2008 until October 2012 when its home was demolished following the Canterbury earthquakes. Founded by musician Carmel Courtney, it ran eighty shows commercial-free and was a vital part of Lyttelton's tight-knit arts community.

d artists

Dough Boys

Solo project of Tony Doe, former vocalist and drummer of Auckland new wave band The Wait. After releasing a solo LP on Ode Records, Doe travelled to Japan and the UK before returning to New Zealand and forming The Reactions.

Venues

Dux Live

Dux Live was a purpose-built live music venue at 363 Lincoln Road in Addington, Christchurch, opened in December 2011 as the post-earthquake successor to the original Dux de Lux. Founded by Richard Sinke, the converted warehouse was fitted with a state-of-the-art KV2 sound system and operated as a dedicated live music space until 2016.