Golden chance even if you're up-country

When Goldenhorse return from concerts overseas they'll be setting out on their biggest New Zealand tour to date.

The tour of theatres from Whangarei to New Plymouth to Nelson to Queenstown - and a heap more places in between - is a chance for the band to play to people who have never seen them live.

Singer/songwriter Kirsten Morell is obviously excited - in fact she's waxing lyrical: "Finally, Goldenhorse is going to be able to play in the venues that most suit the band. Like an old railway line, these theatres need to be used and enjoyed by locals in their own town."

Joining the tour with Goldenhorse - whose latest album, Out of the Moon, was released in April - will be Breaks Co-Op. Their album, The Sound Inside, has sold more than 20,000 copies since its release in February. For them, the search is on for a live band to help vocalist/guitarist Andy Lovegrove and producer Hamish Clark translate their songs from the record to the road. Unfortunately, third member Zane Lowe won't be in the line-up because of radio and TV commitments in Britain.

The Goldenhorse and Breaks Co-Op dates are: Community Theatre, Hamilton, July 28; Bruce Mason Theatre, Auckland, July 29; Telstra Clear Theatre, Manukau, August 1; Municipal Theatre, Napier, August 4; Holy Trinity, Tauranga, August 6; Captain Bougainville, Whangarei, August 8; TSB Showplace, New Plymouth, August 11; Regent on Broadway, Palmerston North, August 12; Opera House, Wellington, August 13; School of Music, Nelson, August 14; Marlborough Centre, Blenheim, August 16; Theatre Royal, Christchurch, August 18; Regent Theatre Dunedin, August 19; Southland Stadium, Invercargill, August 20; War Memorial Hall, Queenstown, August 21. Tickets on sale June 13 from Ticketek and usual outlets.

Meanwhile, Interpol are the first band to confirm dates in New Zealand after playing Australia's Splendour in the Grass festival in July. The New Yorkers play Auckland on August 2 and Wellington on August 3. Other bands on the festival bill include Queens of the Stone Age, Bloc Party, Moby, Mercury Rev, Ryan Adams - fingers crossed there's more of those international acts thinking like Interpol.

Also, country music icon Kris Kristofferson performs one New Zealand show on August 9 at the Civic Theatre in Auckland. Ask the women - admittedly, older women - and they'll tell you he's more than just a country singer. He's also a poet, film star, Rhodes Scholar - and sex symbol. Check him out.