Get ready to start marking that calendar: your schedule’s about to get very busy.
This content was prepared by Auckland Unlimited and is being published by The New Zealand Herald as Advertorial.
Aucklanders tend to have a reputation for always being in a bit of a rush, but living in a place this busy and lively, can you really blame us? There’s always something worth doing or seeing in the city centre – from arena concerts by the world’s biggest musical acts to unmissable live theatre – and with the City Rail Link now open, it couldn’t be easier to experience it all. Read on for a few of our hottest picks over the next couple of months and get ready to start marking that calendar: your schedule’s about to get very busy.
The best in the world, here in the city
Spark Arena is no stranger to massive gigs, but even by its high standards the next couple of months are looking absolutely stacked. Pop-heads will be rejoicing as Noah Kahan, Zara Larsson, Lily Allen, Hilary Duff, Joji and more all stop by for NZ-exclusive shows, but those who prefer their tunes loud and shredded need not fret: hard rock royals Iron Maiden, Megadeth, Rise Against, Dropkick Murphys and Avenged Sevenfold are all on their way too. Across the city centre’s other venues, the story’s just as exciting. Early 2000s R&B icons Macy Gray and Ashanti will both grace the stage at the Aotea Centre’s Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, masterful Aussie singer-songwriter Courtney Barnett makes a very welcome return to the Auckland Town Hall, and the New Zealand International Convention Centre plays host to mercurial Aotearoa talent Aldous Harding and the genuinely indescribable Dutch cross-genre talent Joost. Throw in the grassroots and homegrown acts gracing the stages of venues like Neck of the Woods and Double Whammy, and you could very well find yourself discovering new music every night.
The best stories on the biggest stages
Do your tastes tend a touch more theatrical? You’ll find plenty to please there too, with a good number of appointment-worthy shows opening across the city centre very shortly. From this week, catch Auckland Theatre Company’s hotly anticipated season of the all-time classic musical Cabaret or be in the audience for the very first performances of NZ Opera’s brand-new take on the rarely performed gem The Pearl Fishers.
Looking further ahead, mid-October will see the long-awaited arrival of the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production of Jesus Christ Superstar, which visits the iconic Civic theatre on Queen Street after sold-out seasons across the UK, USA and Australia. Then, in late November, the National Youth Theatre presents its always popular annual production (this year: Diary of a Wimpy Kid) at the Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre.
The whole city’s a stage
Believe it or not, that’s not even close to being an exhaustive list of everything happening citywide this season. And even better, there’s still more to be announced! To stay on top of what’s going on – including world-class comedy, breathtaking classical concerts, stunning dance performances and a ton of free, family friendly public events and activations – keep an eye on Discover Auckland. We’ll see you at the show!