PuoroMusic

Indie folk singer Marlon Williams’ 1960s-inspired ‘Aua Atu Rā’ and kapa haka waiata ‘Korero Māori’ are finalists in this year's awards.

A new RNZ audio documentary explores the brilliant musicianship and musical legacy of Clarence White (1944 - 1973).

Dam Native, Crystal Chen and Reb Fountain are some of the Kiwi artists who'll perform original songs with a 35-piece orchestra this November.

Eden Burns's new album And the Make Believers is both excitingly different and strangely familiar.

The 81-year-old soul singer has clocked a six-decade career, entering the music business at 14 years old.

This year’s finalists include Makayla, Huia, Paige, Shane Walker, Haami and Kings.

Who Is the Sky? doesn't quite hit the highs of David Byrne's past work, but some of its songs are charming and distinctive.

The guitarist suffered injuries after a fall at his studio in September and was on life support for some time.

Iggy Pop, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, the Hoodoo Gurus and Zed will play a series of summer shows in January.

The US rock band will play one show in Auckland in March, 2026 before flying to Australia.

D’Angelo, who helped pioneer the genre of music known as “neo-soul,” died after a bout with cancer.

A new biography charts the Kiwi musician's multi-faceted life.

On the new solo album Anitya, the award-winning New Zealand musician presents his creative work without any "gimmicks".

Joe Kaptein impresses on Pool Sharks not just for his chops on the keys, but an ability to pen thoroughly inviting compositions.

"Accidental" TV producer Jon Bridges is the low-key leader of the Paddy Gower Has Issues team.

Alt-country band The Warratahs join The Topp Twins, Dave Dobbyn, Bic Runga and Dame Hinewehi Mohi.

Fears are growing for Dolly Parton’s health after the country music superstar cancelled shows and her sister posted an emotional message to fans on social media.

Auckland-based Stefaan Van Leuven is an active member of Soulwax - the Belgian alternative dance act he co-founded in his teens.

Gospel star Kirk Franklin has 20 Grammy awards to his name - as many as Bruce Springsteen - yet he's little known in New Zealand.

Wellington jazz fans can see acclaimed Australian First Nations singer and composer Bumpy at the San Fran later this month.

West Auckland neosoul singer Mohi Allen doesn't shy away from darkness on The Flowers That Grow From Concrete Pavements.

Christchurch musician Marcus Burton's debut album as Birdlings Flat is a bittersweet beauty.

In an old, dusty ledger in the RNZ archives, 37 years of censored songs, and hundreds and hundreds of titles are contained. Nick Bollinger takes a peek.

The announcement that the Grammy-winning Puerto Rican rapper, and outspoken critic of president Donald Trump, will headline next year's Super Bowl halftime show has divided opinion in the US.

Grammy-winning rapper Bad Bunny is set to headline the Super Bowl half-time show in Northern California next year.

After recently becoming a mother, Canterbury-born country star Kaylee Bell is heading all the way down to Invercargill on her November tour.

Funke's purity of intent and beautifully-unvarnished songs adorn her latest Timeless Town.

The Cambridge rockers have announced a string of six shows across the motu in March.

Before he’d even met Sting and Andy Summers, drummer Stewart Copeland knew exactly what kind of band he would eventually form, he says.

The US hip hop group were down for a one-off NZ show in October, but say studio commitments have forced them to hold off until May 2026.

Bird of the Year enthusiasts are in for a special treat that will have them singing for joy.

In the new track 'Bye Bye Spotify', New Zealand musician Tiki Taane belts out a bitter send-off to the streaming platform he removed his songs from this week.

The Texas arena show is the first of more than 50 that the New Zealand singer will perform on her biggest ever world tour. NZ gets its turn in February, 2026.

This Jens Lekman collection is full of frothy, literate indie pop, as sweet as anything he’s done without getting too sickly.

NZ-born Samoan tenor Lila Junior Crichton will sing his soul music at the World of WearableArt in Wellington.

The main acts have been announced for the day-long event at Auckland's Western Springs, but this time you will need to book leave.

The hip hop legend was set to play one show for over-18s in Auckland this weekend.

It will be the first time any of the three artists have topped the bill at the event, which takes place in the Californian desert.

Top New Zealand bands like Tiki Taane and The Bats are leaving Spotify behind. Why?

The American rock band are heading back to New Zealand for the first time since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, when the lead singer had the virus too.

A few weeks ago, Melbourne musician Fenn Wilson announced to fans that he was boycotting Spotify.

Jazz singer Gregory Porter's honeyed baritone is famous over the world, but it was in church where he first found his voice, he says.

For DJ and music producer Half Queen - co-curator of this year's festival - it's Jamaican dancehall queen Sister Nancy.

Grassroots venues are essential to the development of new music talent, and overseas governments are giving them a hand.

Repeated listens to My Home is Not in This World by Natalie Bergman reveal there's more here than just pleasant, listenable tunes.

APRA has named the five finalist songs for the Silver Scroll Award as well as the top three waiata in line for the Maioha Award.

For the third time in over 20 years, the iconic Taranaki music and arts event will be taking a year off.

More than 40 acts entertained Wellingtonians young and old at Saturday night's Great Sounds festival.

While making You can call me CC, the Chinese-New Zealand musician learnt to ride a horse, lead a band and sing however she felt like singing.

In 1961, a singer from the small Taranaki town of Manaia had a number one hit in Sweden with a song sung largely in te reo, but few people in New Zealand heard this record at the time, or knew anything about the singer’s success.

Fans have been digging for clues to find out if the Kiwi actor is behind an alter ego singer sporting a wig and funky outfits.

Nominees for SOUNZ Contemporary Award, and awards for original music for film and TV series were revealed.

Mahler's Sixth Symphony asks for a hammer that is designed in such a way as to create a dull thump, like fate coming down on top of your head.

The iconic New Zealand band will perform together for the first time in almost 20 years for the Hagley Park party.

The first drop of 40 local names has been announced for the 2026 festival returning to Hamilton’s Claudelands Oval.

The 18-year-old had no idea of his family's link to the organ before he secured the scholarship at one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world.

Liz Stokes shares hard-won lessons about the circular nature of recovery on The Beths’ new album Straight Line Was A Lie.

The top 24 secondary school choirs are singing their hearts out in the Big Sing finale for bronze, silver and gold awards.

The hip hop legend will play for over-18s in Auckland next month.

After a year break following a "challenging" festival season in 2024, the colourful Auckland festival is coming back revamped.

Fine-voiced high school students will be singing their hearts out in Aotearoa's largest choral contest this weekend.

A Herbs bandmate shared the news that their longstanding keyboard player had died.

A Cleveland rapper will headline and a Baltimore band bring punk to the Gisborne event for the first time.

The soulful Australian musicians will perform two shows in the capital next year.

Australian singer Paul Kelly served up an early Gravy Day gift this year with 'Rita Wrote a Letter', the surprise sequel to his beloved classic 'How to Make Gravy'. Here are some more examples of sequels to classics.

Korean pop idols compete to put a new spin on classic pop hits in the Apple TV+ show.

Stoked to release his family band Kora's long-awaited new album this week, songwriter Francis Kora will next drop a set of dance tracks for people who still like to get down despite their creaky bodies.

Doprah vocalist Indira Force brings together a lot of elements for The Bell, the Swan & the Golden Thread.

Since the kids' puppet show first aired in 1969, its sophisticated songs have lived rent-free in many a brain.

Some songs just like to get to the point. The 10 here are mini masterpieces in brevity.

Mia Faiumu declared the Pacific Music Awards proof her father’s legacy will "live on".

After 25 years apart, all five members of the British boyband will reunite for a world tour that will take in New Zealand.

Shane Walker, Aaradhna and Sam V were among artists adding prizes to their trophy cabinets.

Soul/R&B singer Aaradhna, Sam V, Jordyn With A Why and Shane Walker are among the artists vying for awards tonight. Watch live here on RNZ.

When Taylor Swift’s releases her new album, Life of a Showgirl, in October, it can be heard on the usual places, including streaming, vinyl and…cassette tape?

A Missouri care home announces the death of Hollywood stuntman Ronnie Rondell, who featured on the cover of Pink Floyd's 1975 album Wish You Were Here.

Fresh from supporting Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan, with a new album Neon Cowgirl and an upcoming NZ tour, the Kiwi songwriter is watching all of her dreams come true.

Young Hawke's Bay tenor Taylor Wallbank will soon be following in the footsteps of his operatic heroes.

In a nearly two-hour interview with her boyfriend Travis Kelce and his brother Jason Kelce, the pop star was excited and emotional - and not just about her new album.

You don't need to be fluent in te reo to feel welcomed by the Waiheke Island-based musician's new album.

Classical concerts seldom encourage audience participation, but that’s exactly what the Flight of The Conchords star does in his collaboration with the NZSO.

The legendary musician's Infinity Sessions are back this week with ten New Zealand artists playing live in the intimate setting of Finn's Roundhead Studios in Auckland.

26-year-old Cassie Henderson recently won Best Pop Artist at the Aotearoa Music Awards. She sang Chappell Roan’s ‘Good Luck, Babe!’ on the Aussie talent show.

On a wintry Wellington Sunday night an insect themed classical concert for children was just the ticket.

For a band whose trajectory has gone off script numerous times, it’s intriguing to see a name like Bloc Party still resonates.

Six years ago, Jen Cloher was touring Aotearoa when they stepped onto the sometimes "scary" but enriching path of rediscovering their Māori identity.

After five decades performing at piano bars around the world - and a stint in an Italian jail - Linn Lorkin still loves making Auckland audiences smile.

Nicknamed the 'Hot Wiggle' by adult fans, John Pearce is proud to be the first-ever Australian Filipino member of the children's superband.

While he’s on record saying he hates rock 'n' roll books, band manager Alan Niven has nonetheless written one of his own.

Kiwi artist goes it alone in Catapult, an album that's as welcoming as a particularly woolly jumper.

“I don't think that freedom is a luxury, it's earned, and I think I've worked very hard for it,” says Park, ahead of his New Zealand show.

Blaze Foley is a cult country music artist who died in the 1980s. So how did a new song by him end up on his official Spotify page?

Mike McRoberts was all set for a career in law when a taste of the RNZ newsroom in the 1980s set him on the path to a distinguished career in journalism.

When a bus carrying the Mailefihi Siu'ilikutapu College Brass Band crashed in Gisborne killing four band members in 2016, Wellington Brass musical director and New Zealand Symphony Orchestra trombonist Dave Bremner, decided to help.

Tether, by Los Angeles-based folk singer Annahstasia Enuke, captures you right from the opening track, says RNZ's Tony Stamp.

American indie artist Alexander Giannascoli's new album Headlights is experimental, sometimes challenging, and his most appealing music so far.

The latest instalment of Australia's Hottest 100 spans decades, genres and emotions - and includes a track from Crowded House's 1986 debut album.

Westenra says she was a long-time friend of the couple, in their 70s, who were found dead earlier this month.

The award-winning Māori musician and L.A.B. frontman Joel Shadbolt will be well-prepared for their three outdoor shows together this summer, because singers have to be - "We are the only ones that can't just pick up the drumsticks and go hard or start playing the bass or whatever".

Her and her husband John Dankworth's friends included stars such as Oscar Peterson and Ella Fitzgerald, Lester Young and Dizzy Gillespie as well as the late Princess Margaret.

Chuck Mangione, 'Feels So Good' musician and bandleader, has died aged 84.

Analysis: He'll be remembered differently by several different generations, and that's almost the definition of a pop cultural icon.

The music promoter who brought Black Sabbath to New Zealand in 1973 said the frontman was "calm and jovial" despite his edgy reputation.

Known to fans as 'The Prince of Darkness' and the 'Godfather of Heavy Metal', Osbourne has died at the age of 76, the BBC reported, citing a family statement.

The four-time Grammy Award winner was last in New Zealand in 2023 for his Mathematics tour.

Chris Faiumu, founder of one of Aotearoa's most successful bands, died suddenly this week. He leaves a rich musical legacy.

The singer was best known for songs likes ‘Haere Mai (Everything is Kapai)’ popular in the 1950s.

The last time Aucklander Alma Proença did a tattoo for the pop star, she ended up with a collection of red lines on her own leg just to perfect it.

Songs by Huntr/x and the Saja Boys are rising on the charts above well-known artists like ROSE, Bruno Mars and Justin Bieber.

Five hard drives of unreleased music by Beyoncé were among items stolen from a car in Atlanta, days before her four-night tour stop.

Kara Rickard will take up the hosting role, with Tony Stamp producing the Saturday show.

The band has been rising rapidly up the Spotify charts with nearly 2 million monthly listeners. Where does this controversy leave other artists?

Auckland bass player Jabulani (Jay) Moyo takes inspiration from the traditional sungura dance music he grew up listening to with his dad.

The Uganda-based musician is back in Aotearoa touring an all-French recital for Chamber Music New Zealand.

She hinted there was no way that New Zealand fans wouldn't get their turn, finally they have a date to mark on the calendar.

Venue operators and promoters say attracting the biggest artists to NZ is difficult. Now there are calls for the government to step in to help lure these artists back with financial incentives.

The award acknowledges the best New Zealand songs of the year.

After two years out of the spotlight and then a surprise Galstonbury performance, the British musician is now bound for NZ at the end of 2025.

Oasis ended a 16-year hiatus on Friday with a punchy, powerful trip through one of Britpop’s greatest songbooks.

DJ Algoodie still remembers the time he played Himi 114, 'Eiki Koe 'Ofa 'A'au at a rugby league game and thousands of voices joined to sing.

Later this month, attendees in Auckland and Wellington will revisit "the shimmering and VHS-heavy age of the early 1980s".

Lorde’s Virgin explores the nature and meaning of value in a pop culture where vulnerability, realness and being ‘raw’ are all part of the brand.

From Lewis Capaldi's emotional performance on the Pyramid Stage to Lorde's surprise album party, here's what happened at Glastonbury on Friday.

The raw lyrics and themes have mostly received praise but some find the juxtaposition with the production value has missed the mark.

Nadia Reid is amongst a group of New Zealanders playing at the massive music festival, with rumours swirling that Lorde may also make a surprise appearance.

The New Zealand musician spoke to RNZ days before she let the world into the raw, fleshy world of her new album Virgin.

Devout fans gathered to be the amongst the first to hear Lorde's long-awaited new album, Virgin, at listening parties held across the country days before the record is unveiled to rest of the world.

"People often look at me strangely when I tell them that one of my best ever festival experiences was in a portaloo."

Although Astrid Jorgensen's childhood hero Mel B was unsure about the act, the choir director says it has sparked the biggest response she's ever had.

Suga of BTS has wrapped up military service - the seventh and final member of the group to be discharged from the South Korean military. BTS is expected to reunite later this year.

This year the awards present a record 34 finalists across 13 categories.

On his latest album Hyperverse, the Crowded House member sought to capture the excitement of the in-the-moment live experience in a studio setting.

The Sampler - The latest from Quantic, Samia proffers sweet vocal tones and Stereolab return as eccentric as ever.

In an era of big budgets and bold visions, Hipgnosis crafted the visual language of 20th-century rock.

As she prepares to support iconic indie band The Pixies on a US tour, Christchurch musician Amelia Murray (aka Fazerdaze) is taking as many solo walks as possible.

Wellington bellringer Dylan Thomas - 21 - trains other young people in the ancient art of the 'peal'.

As she releases her first non-solo album, American musician and psychology student Sharon Van Etten is finding hope in solidarity and compassion.

We have crested the wave of 2025, and are currently gliding into its second half. Smooth sailing from here on out, surely. One thing we can all depend on is music to buoy us up, and with that in mind, here are some personal highlights from the year thus far.

The 61-year-old rocker will bring his tour to Aotearoa for the first time ever.

The NZ indie-folk artist discusses their new album, plus Pulp return after 24 years and Little Simz vents about her former producer.

The Lyttelton singer swings by Music 101 to play live versions of two fresh songs.

The former Beach Boy's distinctive sound - sunshine tinged with melancholy - still rings true, writes longtime fan Nik Dirga.

The Beach Boys musician, songwriter and producer who wrote and produced the 1966 album Pet Sounds, has died aged 82.

Los Angeles artist Jessica Pratt’s show brought a quiet tenderness to a chilly Meow Nui in wintery Wellington on Tuesday.

The legendary American singer and songwriter was one of the most influential and groundbreaking musicians of the late 60s, early 70s.

The Sampler: Phoebe Rings latest, Ladi6 is as effortlessly cool as ever and Salt Water Criminals impress with powerhouse songwriting.

The Oscar-winning Kiwi musician gets romantic about his wife on the new solo album Freak Out City.

The Price Tag says she has been diagnosed early and will "disappear for a bit" to have surgery this month.

In Stories of Surrender, Bono appears solo on stage, sharing stories, jokes and songs that illuminate what life is like for the man behind the sunglasses.

Astonished Devilskin call for a new category at the awards, a confusing scream into the microphone and only in New Zealand would we see crocs step up on stage.

The Christchurch based musician beat fierce competition to take home two of the top awards with her third album, Soft Power.

Stars shone, suited up and sparkled at the New Zealand music industry's big night out.

The popular New Zealand band will pick up the Te Manu Mātārae Tūi for their massive contribution to the local music landscape in the last year.

The intimate, invite-only surprise series of sets took place in the darkness of the bathrooms at an Auckland central YMCA.

Singer and musician Josh Leys has beat thousands of competitors to make it to the semi-finals.

The Grammy award-winning Kiwi singer made a surprise appearance at a Lorde-themed night at Mary’s Underground nightclub, delighting unsuspecting fans in Sydney.

Tony Stamp lends an ear to the latest from Bub, plus crisp indie-pop from Christchurch’s Mim Jensen and a lovely, lush offering from Scottish twins Cloth.

Whether she's writing deeply personal songs or counselling someone else through a tough time, Kiwi soul singer Ladi6 (aka Karoline Tamati) believes that we're all in this together.

The exhaustion of first-time parenting has inspired Aotearoa's top country tune for 2025.

Three very different live performances were awarded at a prestigious radio ceremony in New York.

Don McGlashan plays the fourth in a series of intimate acoustic concerts celebrating 20 years of RNZ's NZ Live music sessions.

Auckland-based composer Levi Patel has fallen in love with a small city in a beautiful region of southwest China, and its led to some interesting musical collaborations.

The song, which the Kiwi singer has already performed at live shows, will feature on her upcoming album.

It's the country's first victory since bearded drag queen Conchita Wurst won in 2014.

Plus Greta O’Leary is serene and slightly spooky, and Clear Path Ensemble offer sumptuous jazz vibes.

Charismatic singer Ruth Carr led local electro-pop trio Minuit to glory in the 2000s - now she's hitting the stage one last time.

Five years on from his viral breathrough track 'Laxed - (Siren Beat)', Jawsh 685 sits down with The TAHI's So'omālō Iteni Schwalger to chat about what's next.

"I’m a woman except for the days when I’m a man.’ I know that’s not a very satisfying answer, but there’s a part of me that is really resistant to boxing it up.”

Rock and roll legends ZZ Top and superstars George Thorogood & The Destroyers electrified Christchurch fans at Wolfbrook Arena on Thursday evening.

The song contest is known for its eclectic songs and performances while launching successful music careers.

The indie-folk artist is celebrating the release of her debut album which has been in the making for two years.

In the early 2010s a cohort of millennial artists re-imagined the musical soundtracks of 1980s and 1990s to make a new musical genre - among them was computer musician Luke Rowell.

Plus TV on the Radio’s Tunde Adebimpe goes solo and a trio of heavy-hitters soundtrack a new anime

Expat dance duo Chaos in the CBD blend tropical flavours with citified beats on their debut LP, TV on the Radio’s Tunde Adebimpe goes solo, and a trio of heavy-hitters soundtrack a new anime.

As he releases his debut solo album While I'm Distracted, the Kiwi songwriter is making magical connections in North London’s diverse music community.

The Ultrasound tour will kick off in September covering North America, Europe and the UK, with no mention of the singer's homeland on the bill.

Bell is currently one of New Zealand’s most successful music exports despite a lifetime of health battles that made her think having a baby wasn’t possible.

When the music festival called it a day in Wellington this year, nine other cities raised their hand to host the event. Hamilton was the winner.

Harry Russell - aka Harry Ratbag and Harry the Bastard - grew up in Remuera and was part of Auckland’s underground punk scene in the early '80s before heading overseas to absorb the world’s freshest music in London and New York for a couple of decades.

Rebecca Lucy Taylor was plagued by self-doubt after a hit album that preached the opposite.

The singer-songwriter plays as part of a series of intimate acoustic concerts celebrating 20 years of RNZ's NZ Live music sessions.

It's 50 years since 'Yesterday Was Just The Beginning Of My Life’ topped New Zealand's official music charts.

The New Zealand music legend will take fans on an "unforgettable journey" at the Town Hall for the first time in June.

The experimental music project of Merrill Garbus and Nate Brenner are releasing their sixth studio album with the help of a special guest - their 3-year-old.

On Blush , There’s A Tuesday show off some fantastic songwriting, plus local dub merchants Pitch Black release a collection of top-tier remixes, and American indie folk band Beirut soundtrack a literal circus.

Tina Cross reflects on her childhood dream of being a prison warden, the 1979 Pacific Song Contest win that forged her path, and the Women's Refuge charity single she was born to write.

Nikau Grace, 17, says she felt a personal connection to the anthem because her koro was in the same battalion as Sir Bom.

Lamar was leading with 10 nominations, including for artist of the year and song of the year for his Grammy-winning diss track Not Like Us.

Director of the NZ Youth Choir, David Squire, and young bass-baritone singer Tim Evans chat about working on the hit Kiwi film.

The Kiwi artist has not released an original solo track since 2021.

And as the songs fly past, there it is: Can you hear the drums echoing tonight? Sure as Kilimanjaro rises like Olympus above the Serengeti.