KEY POINTS:
ROCK/POP
The band that got a bit of a leg-up from Fall Out Boy in 2005 have had a busy few years since, releasing two albums, playing everywhere from the Reading Festival to Times Square, and winning over fans with their mildly eccentric faux-Victorian dress
sense. Panic At The Disco will entertain Kiwi fans this Saturday at Vector Arena. Expect an extravagant stage show as they churn out hits such as the fun Lying Is the Most Fun a Girl Can Have Without Taking Her Clothes Off.
Panic At The Disco - Vector Arena, Auckland Central, 30 Aug
ROCK/POP
Aucklander Nick Buckton has been making music for nine years and now, as SideKickNick, he releases his debut album Miscellaneous Adventures. His guitar pop will be pumping from the King's Arms this Friday to celebrate the release. The show will be bolstered by his band the Technical Difficulties. Support bands are The Mots and Bionic Pixie, and the after party is at D.O.C. bar on K Rd with DJ Aroha.
SideKickNick Album Release Show - King's Arms, Auckland Central, 29 Aug
FESTIVAL
The popular Whitianga Scallop Festival is on running through to Sunday. Saturday is the big day, with music, workshops and tastings keeping punters entertained. Scallop lovers will be enjoying tunes from 12-piece rock funk band Hot Grits, the soulful Hollie Smith, plus a typically lively performance by children's band the Funky Monkeys. If you can't make it to the festival, go to the website where you will find some tantalising scallop recipes.
Whitianga Scallop Festival - Whitianga Harbour, to Aug 31, www.scallopfestival.co.nz
DANCE/DJ
Every couple of months the Auckland DJ community reaches across the Tasman and grabs the best Melbourne-based DJ they can find for the Melbourne Funk Affair party at Rakinos. This edition sees blockbusting breaks producer Nick Thayer making the trip and delivering his take on the less monstrous, funkier side of breaks. This is the kind of party you come home from with a sore neck - it's impossible not to nod your head to these kinds of beats.
Melbourne Funk Affair with Nick Thayer - Rakinos, High St, Aug 30
THEATRE
The Basement plays host to The Play About The Baby, the first offering from American writer Edward Albee after his Pulitzer Prize-winning play Three Tall Woman. In this play, a young couple have a baby and all seems well initially, but there's sinister happenings. Local Auckland actors starring in the show include Rachael Blampied, Jonny Hair, Simon Clark and Cherie James, with Charles Unwin directing.
The Play About The Baby - The Basement, Lower Grey's Ave, Auckland, 8pm, to Sep 2
COMEDY
British funnyman Bill Bailey is billed as "the consummate guitar-wielding, beard-wearing, Klingon-resembling entertainer". The star of various British TV comedies plays two Auckland shows this week - a second show was added after excessive demand. Expect music to be a big part of "Tinselworm", with Bailey famed for messing about on a guitar and keyboard between gags.
Bill Bailey: Tinselworm - ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre, Auckland Central, Aug 31-Sep 1
DJ/DANCE
Rodney P, one of the more prominent voices in UK hip-hop music, hits our shores tonight with his longtime collaborator DJ Skitz on the ones and twos. His Jamaican heritage means his take on hip hop is imbued with plenty of dancehall and reggae vibes. Fans of Roots Manuva will love this. Local support from DJ Stinky Jim, and Sandy Bay Social Club.
Rodney P and DJ Skitz - Fu Bar, Wolfe St, Aug 28
CHOIR
The celebrity-filled Jubilation Choir returns for another show, and this time they're doing it down by the water. The Ponsonby Cruising Club will be alive with the a capella sounds of the 30-piece choir, which includes Jackie Clarke, Rick Bryant, Jennifer Ward-Lealand, Amanda Billing, and more familiar faces. Feel free to sing along if you know the words.
Jubilation Choir - Ponsonby Cruising Club, Westhaven Marina, Westhaven, 8pm, Aug 30