KEY POINTS:
ROCK/HIP-HOP
Wellington's Daimon Schwalger is somewhat of a silent achiever. He has released six albums as The Nomad since 1998, charting the sounds of hip-hop, funk, soul, reggae and deep electronica. He DJs and has toured the country many times: this month he goes from top to bottom promoting his latest release, The Nomad: Selected Works, a collection of unreleased and remixed material over the past few years. Fans of Salmonella Dub, Module and Opensouls will enjoy this.
Nomad - Rakinos, High St, Aug 16
CLASSICAL
Two of New Zealand's rising classical stars combine their talents at Auckland's Town Hall next week, playing alongside the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. Winner of the Paganini Violin Competition in Italy, Feng Ning has been touring the world since he was a teen. He joins award-winning pianist John Chen, performing works by Vitali, Beethoven, Dvorak, Debussy and Wieniawski.
Feng Ning & John Chen Twilight Series 3, Auckland Town Hall, Monday, 6.30pm, tickets $55 from Ticketek
COUNTRY
Not to be confused with the Gold Guitar Awards held annually in Gore, the 2008 National Country Music Awards in Hamilton on Saturday night bring together this country's finest young country performers along with best loved artists like Suzanne Prentice and Roger Tibbs. Also performing are singer/songwriter Aaron Jury, winner of the 2005 Gold Guitar Award, and Ashley Cooper who reached the top seven in NZ Idol.
2008 National Country Music Awards - Founders Theatre, Hamilton, 8pm-10.30pm
DANCE/DJ
Over the past couple of months in nightclubs around the world, the breakdown in the tune Show Me Love by Mobin Master has caused approximately 30,000 handbags to be dropped and sent millions sprinting to the dancefloor. This track was produced by Australian Mobin Master, who visits Auckland this Friday for a relatively intimate club gig, after his main stage performance at June's Deep, Hard and Funky to 6000 Kiwis. To the floor!
Mobin Master - Bungalow 8, Viaduct, Aug 15
SOUL/BLUES
Last August legendary Kiwi soul-blues singer Sonny Day passed away, and this Sunday a collection of musicians will pay tribute to the man at Newmarket's Broadway Pub and Cafe. From 2pm until late you can hear Hammond Gamble, Midge Marsden, Kim Willoughby, Annie Crummer, Tina Cross, Debbie Harwood, Billy TK Snr, Emma Paki, Barry Saunders, Ronnie Taylor, Tommy Fergusson, The Sundowners, Hello Sailor, The Lowdown Dirty Blues Band, Herbs and more.
Sonny's Day - The Broadway Pub and Cafe, Newmarket, 2-10pm
FOLK
Home-grown folk takes over Auckland's Whammy Bar this Friday, with Christchurch's Flip Grater celebrating the release of her new album Be All and End All. Grater's work is often cute, occasionally a little dirty, sometimes dainty, indie folk pop. Her backing band, consisting of Kris Wilson (banjo), Simon Hall (mandolin, electric guitar), Tim Chesney (bass) and Simon Brouwer (drums) will cause things to crank up a bit in the live setting.
Flip Grater - Whammy Bar, St Kevin's Arcade, Auckland, Aug 15
OPERA
Vector Arena's acoustics will get a classical workout next week with renowned opera singer Andrea Bocelli performing on Wednesday night. This is the famous tenor's first visit to New Zealand, and he will be joined on stage by Kiwi soprano Anna Leese and Australian singer Tina Arena. Bocelli's vocal chords will be nicely warmed up, having recently performed to a sell-out crowd at New York's Madison Square Gardens.
Andrea Bocelli - Vector Arena, 34 Mahuhu Crescent, Aug 20
POP
Billed as "Ireland's most popular easy listening singer", Daniel O'Donnell is a popular lad both in his home country of Ireland, and here in New Zealand. His New Zealand tour includes Dunedin, Christchurch and Auckland's Aotea Centre next Wednesday. The singer has sold over 5 million albums and 2 million DVDs worldwide with his most famous hits including You Raise Me Up and a remake of Morning Has Broken.
Daniel O'Donnell - ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre, Auckland Central, Aug 20
