What's On This Week

De La Soul peform at the Powerstation on May 15. Photo / Supplied

DJ/DANCE

British drum and bass DJ and producer Klute loves New Zealand so much he tours the country every year in May. His deep, progressive style of d'n'b consistently finds favour with Kiwi dancefloors, and his show in Auckland tomorrow night will be packed. Klute fun fact: His song Time 4 Change from the 2005 album No One's Listening Anymore was the last tune played on-air by BBC Radio legend John Peel.
Klute - Coherent, K Rd, May 15

Hip-Hop

Ask any serious hip-hop fan for a list of their top five albums and chances are De La Soul's 3 Feet High and Rising album from 1989 will feature. The seminal album by the New York group will be performed live this Friday in Auckland, as they celebrate 20 years since the release. The legendary group will be supported by local legend DJ Sir Vere and freaky rap duo Misfits Of Science.

De La Soul - Powerstation, Mt Eden, May 15

POETRY

Poetry Idol is returning as part of the Auckland Writers & Readers Festival, but it's going to a bigger venue. Conceived by Penny Ashton, the all-comers live poetry contest will be judged by American Poetry Slam champ Sonya Renee (who has her own festival performance on Sunday), our own poet-physician Glenn Colquhoun and Irish poet-physicist Iggy McGovern

Poetry Idol - Toto's Montecristo Room, 53 Nelson Street, 8pm

COUNTRY ROCK

As the frontline of the Jayhawks in the early 90s, Gary Louris and Mark Olson were the voices behind some of the best records in contemporary American country rock. Now, after parting company a decade ago, the pair have reunited as an acoustic duo with a new album Ready for the Flood. They'll be drawing on songs from it, along with old band and solo album tracks, for the final night of their first New Zealand tour.

Gary Louris & Mark Olson -King's Arms, Sunday, May 17

COMEDY

Stalwart comedian and TV presenter Te Radar presents a new stage show next week at The Basement as part of the comedy festival. Eating The Dog is billed as a celebration of the "misfits, failures and people who died trying" throughout New Zealand's history. Aided by photographs, maps and perhaps a pointer, Radar will regale us with tales of those who gave it a go, but didn't quite get there.

Te Radar's Eating the Dog - The Basement, Lower Greys Ave, May 19-23, 8.30pm

MUSIC

If you thought your community library was a quiet place, think again. Libraries all across Auckland are hosting events during New Zealand Music Month - and that includes everything from hip-hop DJs (Monday at the Glen Innes Library) to Cook Islands Drummers (Tuesday at Waitakere Central) to saw player Alan Pitts at the Blockhouse Bay Library (Monday) and much more besides.

NZ Music Month at Auckland City Libraries - www.aucklandcity libraries.com for more info

POP

One of this year's biggest Top 40 chart presences, Lady Gaga, brings her provocative Poker Face to Vector Arena this Saturday, supporting similarly significant pop starlets the Pussycat Dolls. Interestingly, Lady Gaga began her musical career writing songs for the Pussycat Dolls among others and now, after global hits such as Just Dance and Poker Face, she finds herself on the same bill.

Pussycat Dolls and Lady Gaga - Vector Arena, Auckland, May 16

COMEDY

Feeling a bit soft, a bit sorry for yourself? We know someone with something to tell you, and he won't be mincing his words. Comedian Heath Franklin plays iconic Aussie tough guy Chopper in his comedy festival show, a show that sold out rapidly. Luckily, audiences can enjoy the "International Ambassador of Hard" at two extra shows next weekend.

Chopper's Harden the **** Up, New Zealand! - Comedy Chamber, May 19-23, 7pm; SkyCity Theatre, May 22, 23, 9.45pm