Acts Choosing Dunedin over Auckland? Don’t get me wrong, I like that NZ likes to spread its music acts around. I like that the South Island is getting more international acts. But this story in the Herald is a bit aged. The acts they use as examples are Aerosmith and Paul Simon, two acts that draw a majority older audience. This audience, I can safely say will be different to say, Rihanna’s audience in October, in Auckland. And that is ok. Should Dunedin get more international acts? Yes, of course! Do I think it’s going to take acts from Auckland? No way! International Airport, biggest city in the country, and huge purpose-built arena? I think Auckland will be fine. Follow for more New Zealand Entertainment News and Gossip View high resolution

Acts Choosing Dunedin over Auckland?

Don’t get me wrong, I like that NZ likes to spread its music acts around. I like that the South Island is getting more international acts. But this story in the Herald is a bit aged.

The acts they use as examples are Aerosmith and Paul Simon, two acts that draw a majority older audience. This audience, I can safely say will be different to say, Rihanna’s audience in October, in Auckland. And that is ok.

Should Dunedin get more international acts? Yes, of course! Do I think it’s going to take acts from Auckland? No way! International Airport, biggest city in the country, and huge purpose-built arena? I think Auckland will be fine.

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X Factor Tonight

The first episode of X Factor NZ starts in less than two hours, and I can’t wait.

How do you think it will go? Huge success or train wreck? NZ reality shows always only seem to be either one or the other.

Daniel Bedingfield to Judge X Factor New Zealand’s version of the X Factor, which will begin next year, has its second judge, New Zealand-born British pop star Daniel Bedingfield. He will join Australian Idol winner Stan Walker on the panel, and Dominic Bowden will host. Two more judges will be announced in the new year, both female.  Auditions begin in Queenstown on January 5. Follow for more New Zealand Entertainment News and Gossip

Daniel Bedingfield to Judge X Factor

New Zealand’s version of the X Factor, which will begin next year, has its second judge, New Zealand-born British pop star Daniel Bedingfield.

He will join Australian Idol winner Stan Walker on the panel, and Dominic Bowden will host.

Two more judges will be announced in the new year, both female. 

Auditions begin in Queenstown on January 5.

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Black Sabbath Coming To New Zealand Legendary metal band, Black Sabbath, are returning to New Zealand for the first time in 40 years. The band is embarking on an extensive world tour, with a show in Auckland in April 2013. Black Sabbath are also recording their first album in 33 years, which will be releaded early next year. Tickets go on sale for Live Nation members November 26th, pre-sale begins on November 28th and general tickets go on sale 9am November 30th. Dates: April 20th - Vector Arena, Auckland Follow for more New Zealand Entertainment News and Gossip View high resolution

Black Sabbath Coming To New Zealand

Legendary metal band, Black Sabbath, are returning to New Zealand for the first time in 40 years.

The band is embarking on an extensive world tour, with a show in Auckland in April 2013. Black Sabbath are also recording their first album in 33 years, which will be releaded early next year.

Tickets go on sale for Live Nation members November 26th, pre-sale begins on November 28th and general tickets go on sale 9am November 30th.

Dates:

  • April 20th - Vector Arena, Auckland

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See Hitchcock’s Earliest Film Work Alfred Hitchcock’s earliest work has been found in New Zealand archives. The recovered parts of 1924’s The White Shadow, in which Hitchcock served as an assistant director among other credits, will be streamed for free for the next two months at the US National Film Preservation Foundation’s website. The New Zealand Film Archive stumbled across three of the film’s delicate nitrate reels in its collection last year. No other copies are known to exist. Follow for more New Zealand Entertainment News and Gossip

See Hitchcock’s Earliest Film Work

Alfred Hitchcock’s earliest work has been found in New Zealand archives.

The recovered parts of 1924’s The White Shadow, in which Hitchcock served as an assistant director among other credits, will be streamed for free for the next two months at the US National Film Preservation Foundation’s website.

The New Zealand Film Archive stumbled across three of the film’s delicate nitrate reels in its collection last year. No other copies are known to exist.

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Ian McKellen Schools New Zealand’s Prime Minster

British actor Ian McKellen wrote on his blog today of New Zealand Prime Minster John Key’s “careless” use of the word “gay”.

The PM used the word “gay” on a radio show last Friday, to describe a farmer’s shirt, saying “you’ve got that gay red top on”.

McKellen, who has previously said how New Zealand has led the world on social issues, is currently touring English schools with the aim to tackle homophobic language.

You better be careful John, I wouldn’t want to annoy Gandalf.

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The Hobbit Takes Flight

Air New Zealand has teamed up with The Hobbit for their new safety video.

The video includes Peter Jackson, Gollum and Tolkien’s great-grandsons.

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New Zealand Music Awards

The New Zealand Music Awards kicks off tomorrow night, with some of New Zealand music’s finest hoping to walk away with the awards.

On the 1st of November, the NZ Herald website will be liveblogging the event, as well as tv channel FOUR broadcasting a red carpet special at 8pm, followed by the awards at 8:30pm.

Performances include Gin Wigmore, Kimbra, Annah Mac and The Black Seeds. Nominees also include Ladyhawke, Six60 and Home Brew.

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Gollum Installation at Wellington Airport A huge Weta Workshop installation of Gollum has been inveiled at Wellington Airport. The 13 by 3m sculpture is suspended over the main terminal. The first movie of The Hobbit trilogy, directed by Peter Jackson, will have its world premiere in Wellington on November 28, before going on global release on December 14. Wellington is spending $1.1 million on activities in the week of the premiere, billing itself as “The Middle of Middle-earth”. Follow for more New Zealand Entertainment News and Gossip

Gollum Installation at Wellington Airport

A huge Weta Workshop installation of Gollum has been inveiled at Wellington Airport.

The 13 by 3m sculpture is suspended over the main terminal.

The first movie of The Hobbit trilogy, directed by Peter Jackson, will have its world premiere in Wellington on November 28, before going on global release on December 14. Wellington is spending $1.1 million on activities in the week of the premiere, billing itself as “The Middle of Middle-earth”.

Follow for more New Zealand Entertainment News and Gossip

Is Kimbra A Kiwi, Or An Aussie? Kimbra, the chart-topping New Zealand songstress, has been “stolen” by Australia. The singer, whose debut album Vows has gone platinum in both countries, has had her hometown listed as Melbourne in Vogue Australia. This is despite being born and raised in Hamilton, New Zealand, and attending Hillcrest High School, also in Hamilton. So, is Kimbra now officially part of the ‘claimed by Australia’ club, or is this less pavlova-y and more of a whoopsie? Follow for more New Zealand Entertainment News and Gossip

Is Kimbra A Kiwi, Or An Aussie?

Kimbra, the chart-topping New Zealand songstress, has been “stolen” by Australia.

The singer, whose debut album Vows has gone platinum in both countries, has had her hometown listed as Melbourne in Vogue Australia.

This is despite being born and raised in Hamilton, New Zealand, and attending Hillcrest High School, also in Hamilton.

So, is Kimbra now officially part of the ‘claimed by Australia’ club, or is this less pavlova-y and more of a whoopsie?

Follow for more New Zealand Entertainment News and Gossip