Stephen Music

JUST ANNOUNCED: A$AP Rocky Brings the Don’t Be Dumb World Tour to Auckland

A$AP Rocky is heading to New Zealand. The rapper, actor and fashion killa will play a one-off show at Auckland’s Spark Arena on Saturday 12 December 2026, his first visit to the back in eight years. The date is part of the Don’t Be Dumb World Tour, promoted by Live Nation and presented by Mai … Continue reading JUST ANNOUNCED: A$AP Rocky Brings the Don’t Be Dumb World Tour to Auckland

Stephen Music

EXCLUSIVE: Dillon Jo on ‘Drift’, leaving the acoustic duo behind and why their debut album needs a softer moment

Wellington four-piece Dillon Jo released ‘Drift’ today, a hazy single about the people you lose touch with and the small hope of getting them back. Ahead of their debut album ‘Guard Dog’, the band spoke exclusively to YouthHub about where the song came from, how they went from acoustic duo to full band, and why … Continue reading EXCLUSIVE: Dillon Jo on ‘Drift’, leaving the acoustic duo behind and why their debut album needs a softer moment

Stephen Music

A.R.T teams up with MITI’s Tiana Miti for a country-tinged cover turned original single

R&B trio A.R.T release "Die From A Broken Heart" this Thursday, a reworked version of the Maddie & Tae classic featuring Tiana Miti of Wellington band MITI, born out of a cover that blew up online. The story behind A.R.T's latest single starts somewhere most artists wouldn't expect a record to come from: a phone … Continue reading A.R.T teams up with MITI’s Tiana Miti for a country-tinged cover turned original single

Dylan Zeng Music

Jason Derulo closes out The Last Dance World Tour in Auckland with a proposal, a viral TikTok, and two local Manurewa stars

Spark Arena hosted the final show of Jason Derulo's Australasian run on Sunday 27 September, and the pop and R&B veteran sent it off with pyrotechnics, a genre-hopping stage built out of five worlds, and two crazy local moments that outlasted the night. Support came from Australian DJ and producer Josh Fawaz, whose remix set … Continue reading Jason Derulo closes out The Last Dance World Tour in Auckland with a proposal, a viral TikTok, and two local Manurewa stars

Stephen Music

Chet Faker Brought A Love For Strangers to Auckland Town Hall

One night, one packed Great Hall, and a setlist that leaned hard into old favourites early. Chet Faker played Auckland Town Hall on Saturday night as part of his A Love For Strangers tour, and from the opening notes it was clear this wasn't going to be built around the new record. Support came from … Continue reading Chet Faker Brought A Love For Strangers to Auckland Town Hall

Stephen Music

Aries Brings Glass Jaw World Tour to Auckland’s Tuning Fork

The Tuning Fork has a way of making a show feel intimate even when it's full. Sunday night it was exactly that, a tight room, a switched-on crowd, and two acts that seemed to understand exactly what kind of night they were building. Tsubi Club Opens Strong Tsubi club, the project of Los Angeles-based hyperpop … Continue reading Aries Brings Glass Jaw World Tour to Auckland’s Tuning Fork

Stephen Music

Aotearoa’s biggest music night is almost here NZ Music Month

The 2026 Aotearoa Music Awards are set for 28 May at The Civic in Auckland, and this year's nominations are a love letter to te reo Māori, homegrown pop, and Kiwi hip hop. Here's everything you need to know about the artists. Marlon Williams - 7 nominations Marlon Williams leads the entire field, and the … Continue reading Aotearoa’s biggest music night is almost here NZ Music Month

Stephen Music

Concert Review: Joey Valence & Brae

Powerstation, Auckland | April 9, 2026 There's something defiant about a room full of people refusing to act their age, and on a Thursday night at Auckland's Powerstation, that defiance felt like the whole point. Before the Pennsylvania duo even took the stage, the crowd had already been warmed up the right way. Local Auckland … Continue reading Concert Review: Joey Valence & Brae

Stephen Music

Review: Lord of the Rings: A Musical Tale at The Civic Auckland

I’ll admit it. I’m not usually someone who gets excited about musicals. But as a fan of movies, especially The Lord of the Rings, I thought this adaptation might be worth a shot. Could the battles, characters, and depth of Middle-earth really translate well into a stage musical? After watching Lord of the Rings: A … Continue reading Review: Lord of the Rings: A Musical Tale at The Civic Auckland

Stephen Music

Kendrick Lamar’s GNX: A New Chapter in Music

Kendrick Lamar has done it again. The Compton, California, rapper's latest album, GNX, came out of nowhere on November 22, 2024, and the internet is still trying to catch its breath. This isn't just another album; it's a new direction, and a reminder that Kendrick remains one of today's most relevant artists. In true Kendrick fashion, GNX arrived without warning. At 11:30 AM EST, a trailer for the album appeared on … Continue reading Kendrick Lamar’s GNX: A New Chapter in Music