Touring is an essential part of any musician’s livelihood, but thanks to Covid-19, shows are being cancelled left, right and centre. “How can I help?” you ask. Why not buy some beautiful merchandise from your favourite Kiwi bands.
Here’s some ideas to get you started...
Fat Freddys Drop hot sauce ($16.99)
After just one gig, the beloved Wellington group had to postpone their extensive European tour, which was set to include more than 25 dates. They’re now back in NZ in self-isolation, planning to use the time to record.
Photo: Supplied
Nadia Reid ‘Best Thing’ socks ($22)
After releasing her critically acclaimed third album Out of My Province Nadia Reid was set to play more than 25 shows across the US, the UK, and Europe. Her trip included an appearance at the now-cancelled South by Southwest (SXSW) music conference in Austin, Texas, which offers musicians career-changing exposure to music bigwigs from across the globe.
Photo: Supplied
Ria Hall t-shirt ($45)
APRA-award winning queen, Ria Hall is set to tour with Fly My Pretties in May. Although no official call has been made on the shows as yet, there’s a reasonably high chance they may be postponed. Ria’s just released her second album Manawa Wera, which is bass-heavy, Aotearoa roots reggae at its finest. And she’s got some gorgeous-looking merch to match.
Photo: Supplied
Tami Neilson beehive brooch ($15)
Having just released her superb new album Chickaboom! Tami was set to play SXSW, followed by a ten-date tour European tour. Crushingly, she missed out on playing alongside the legendary Kris Kristofferson at “the festival of [her] dreams”, Luck Reunion, held on Willie Nelson’s Texas ranch.
Photo: Supplied
Merk badge ($10)
Another artist who’s missed out on the incredible exposure offered by SXSW is Auckland bedroom producer and multi-instrumentalist Merk. After winning Best Independent Debut at the 2017 Taite Prize for his record Swordfish, and with a swag of new music under his belt, Merk was all set to play his first ever headline shows in Australia, before making his way to the US. He managed to play his Sydney and Melbourne shows, then had to come home.
Photo: Supplied
Yumi Zouma sage scented candle ($18)
Alt-pop four-piece Yumi Zouma released their new album Truth or Consequences on March 13, and had planned a six-date album release tour around the US. After just one show in Washington DC, they were forced to cancel due to venue closures across the US (and just being responsible humans).
Photo: Supplied
Or you could buy a record or two…
Reb Fountain Limited Edition Gold Colour Vinyl
One of New Zealand's most talented singers, songwriters and musicians, Reb Fountain is set to release her self-titled album on May 1st. She'd planned to tour it in late May / early June, and although it hasn't been officially cancelled, it could be in jeopardy due to the new indoor gathering restrictions!
Photo: Supplied
Fly My Pretties - The Studio Recordings Pt. 1 & 2
New Zealand’s most beloved music collective Fly My Pretties, are finally releasing studio recording of the live albums they released all those years ago. The Studio Recordings Pt. 1 is out now, and Pt. 2 comes out on May 1. The group’s planned May tour is now up in the air, due to coronavirus.
Photo: Supplied
Lawrence Arabia - Singles Club
Silver Scroll-winning singer-songwriter James Milne, aka Lawrence Arabia, had planned to play six shows across New Zealand in March. After going from “complacency to abject panic, briefly back to scepticism and finally to a temperate rational fear about [the] pandemic,” and taking into account he’d recently returned form Australia, he decided to postpone his dates.
Photo: Supplied
Tiny Ruins - Olympic Girls
Hollie Fullbrook of Tiny Ruins was set to play seven shows across France in March. You can get her sublime latest album Olympic Girls on either cassette, CD or vinyl.
Photo: Supplied
Finn Andrews - Finn Andrews
Finn Andrews of the Veils had six New Zealand shows scheduled for April, and although he’s yet to make an official announcement, the shows will almost certainly be postponed. Finn’s debut solo album One Piece At A Time is available from your local independent record store.
Photo: Supplied
There’s a whole bunch of other Kiwi musicians who’ve had to postpone their shows, and potentially more to come, so - if you're able - go out and get that album or piece of merchandise you've been hankering for! Every little bit helps.
