Features

New Zealand's biggest-selling jazz artist drops by our Auckland studio to play some hits from his groundbreaking 1994 album Shift Left. Video, Audio

In the podcast and book Ways of Hearing, Galaxie 500 drummer Damon Krukowski looks at how digital audio has changed how we relate to sound, music and even each other. He chats to Elliott Childs about his discoveries. Video, Audio

The Metropolitan Opera begins the mammoth journey of The Ring Cycle with 'Das Rheingold'. The high-tech staging by Robert Lepage makes it one of the most ambitious productions ever conceived for the operatic stage. RNZ Concert from 6pm.

Most of the men who've learnt to play instruments with members of the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra in recent months have never had the opportunity to learn music before.

William Dart celebrates the joy of live music with two new concert recordings: Mavis Staples Live in London, and a full scale 75th birthday party for Joni Mitchell in Los Angeles. Video, Audio

Justin Gregory opens the books to find out if New Zealanders can still make money in book publishing. Audio

Kirsten Johnstone warms up for a new album from the booty-shaking flute-tooting star Lizzo, gets tantric with Rosie Lowe, is swept away by the charms of Argentinian trio Fémina, and bewitched by folk-rockers Big Thief.  Video, Audio

Opinion - Disapprove of whistle-blower and computer hacker Julian Assange if you will, but there are implications for all of us if his rights and freedoms cannot be protected,writes Marianne Franklin.

With school holidays and Easter travel ahead, we've collected lots of songs about places in New Zealand, and added them to a map. Here's a soundtrack for your journey across Aotearoa.

Catlins farmer Mack MacIntosh is the first person in the country to be granted a license to grow industrial hemp (iHemp) and is currently developing eight varieties. Audio

Robyn Jaquiery has some Palm Sunday favourites today, including All glory, laud and honour, and Ride on, ride on in majesty. Audio

Auckland-based artist Flo Wilson's organic, experimental music creates emotive atmospheres to facilitate shared listening experiences. She admits "feeling very weird about the timing of a show about grief, given the terrorist attacks."

Wellington writer and skateboarder Max Olijnyk tells Kim Hill why, in his 40s, he's still completely obsessed with skating and its culture. Video, Audio

Award-winning pianist John Chen joins the ACO to play Mozart's Piano Concerto No 27, and the band also plays Grieg and Cresswell.

Nick features pianist Alan Pasqua, plus King Curtis, Mary Lou Williams, and Ahmad Jamal's curious version of Autumn Leaves.

Analysis - It's most likely Parliament will pass David Seymour's End of Life Choice Bill and voters will have the final say through a binding referendum, writes Peter Wilson.

A new book and podcast explores how digital audio has changed our relationships with sound, music and even each other. Author and former Galaxie 500 drummer Damon Krukowski talks about Ways of Hearing. Video, Audio

Finnish violinist Sini Simonen, Canadian cellist Alexandre Foster and New Zealand/Japanese pianist Jun Bouterey-Ishido, first met at masterclasses in Cornwall. They play music by Ravel, Gao Ping and Schubert.

More has happened in the sphere of social media regulation in the aftermath of the Christchurch mosque massacres in the last three weeks then the preceding three years, technology expert Peter Griffin says. Audio

We warm up for the release of Cuz I Love You from booty-shaking self-loving flute-tooting star Lizzo, get tantric with Rosie Lowe, swept away by the charms of Argentinian trio Fémina, and bewitched by folk-rockers Big Thief.  Video, Audio

The daughter of a wartime kiwi pilot who flew a Mosquito aircraft in World War 2 has been reunited with the plane after 75 years.  Audio, Gallery

In this episode of BANG! Melody Thomas speaks with kinky Kiwis about what they’re into, how they negotiate consent, and what vanilla relationships could learn from their communities. Audio

Auckland pop/R&B artist Geoff Ong calls himself a “pop star for dorks” and we’re proud to be premiering his brand new video for summer jam ‘Save Me the Weekend’... just in time for autumn.

Shazam is a revival of an old comic-book, originally, confusingly, entitled Captain Marvel. Young Billy Batson turns into a superhero by simply uttering the magic word "Shazam!" Video, Audio