Five things to do this weekend

Indira Force of pop duo Doprah.

Doprah, Galatos, Friday

This Christchurch-based duo (who become a six-piece when they play live) have had plenty of good murmurings about them. Vocalist Indira Force (pictured in a Japanese doll costume for their music video for Stranger People) has often being branded with our favourite phrase: "the next Lorde", and Steven Marr who creates all the RnB-infused downbeat psychedelia is being lauded for his production skills. They're heading to the US shortly, so this will be their last Auckland gig for a while, and to mark the occasion they've got a few friends along to perform. Escapist dreamy good times guy HIGH H00PS (solo project of Jordan Arts from Kids of 88), Wellingtonian maestro of the achingly beautiful Grayson Gilmour, and rising rap duo Heavy, are among the six acts who will be playing across the two stages at Galatos on Friday night.

Digital Nationz, Vector Arena, Saturday and Sunday

If you like gaming, gizmos, and gadgets, then you'll be in heaven this weekend at Vector Arena. The annual Digital Nationz expo has expanded this weekend, and will once again bring you previews of new games, prototypes, a bigger version of the popular "history of gaming" museum, a sneak peek at some new lifestyle technology, plus speakers and workshops, and plenty of gaming competitions. Plus it will be your first opportunity to experience some new titles - Assassin's Creed Unity, Assassin's Creed Rogue, Far Cry 4, Alien Isolation, Fifa 15, and The Crew among them.

The Boxtrolls, in cinemas now

My top pick for entertainment options once the school holidays start next week, would be The Boxtrolls. A charming new stop-motion animation from the people who made Paranorman and Coraline, it follows a bunch of creative and delightful trash-collecting creatures known as Boxtrolls, who are fighting their own extermination.

A scene from The Boxtrolls. Photo / AP

Elle Fanning, Simon Pegg, Toni Collette, Ben Kingsley, and Nick Frost take the lead voice roles here, while in the other appealing release - Planes: Fire and Rescue, the Disney Cars spin-off, you'll hear Julie Bowen, Ed Harris, and Dane Cook. And in tele-land, the exciting news is that Sky TV are launching a new channel section, called JONES! Junior on Saturday morning. Housed on retro channel JONES! this is your chance to introduce the kids to the wonderful worlds of The Flintstones, The Jetsons, Smurfs, Ninja Turtles, and plenty more. Yabba dabba do!

Moana and the Tribe, Galatos, Sunday

There are two Kiwi acts celebrating significant milestones this weekend. Moana and the Tribe are releasing their fourth studio album in two decades, Rima, and will be shaking the floors at Galatos on Sunday evening with their new material. Meanwhile you'll be able to tip your hat to Tahuna Breaks, and congratulate the electro-soul-roots act on their 10 Year Anniversary at the Powerstation on Saturday. They're bringing an expanded line up, including a horn section and backing singers, a new single Hold You, and will be supported by rising act Midnight Gallery.

Flat3, available online today

This clever, warm, cheeky local webseries won over audiences and critics alike with the first two seasons, and was good enough to convince NZ On Air to chip in with funding for the third round. Based around the adventures and exploits of three Kiwi-Asian flatmates - Lee, Jessica, and Perlina - it's a frank, occasionally awkward, and very funny insight into the hardships of finding your identity as a 20-something. You can check out the brand new first episode on their website (flat3webseries.com) on Friday, and if you haven't seen it yet, binge-watch the first two series too.

- TimeOut