The Best Auckland Summer Gigs For the Remainder of January

Even though we live in one of the most isolated places in the world, the spread of musical acts that make the journey to our fine country is more than impressive. In this month alone you can go out and experience everything from a who's who of rising talent, experimental beat making, a man known as The King of Pain, haunting neo-soul and British indie-pop.

We outline some of the best gigs around the city this month.

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St Jerome's Laneway Festival

The inner-city music event returns to Silo Park for its sixth outing on Auckland Anniversary Weekend. This year the predominantely ‘indie’ festival will include a who's who of rising talent including the genre-defying FKA Twigs, R&B artist BANKS, laser hip hop artist Rustie, Harlem rappers Ratking, Vienna-based London-born SOHN, the unorthodox St. Vincent and folk singer Angel Olsen.

When: Friday, January 26

Where: Silo Park, Wynyard Quarter

How much: $144.80

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Heineken Baseline After Party

Once again, the Heineken Baseline After Party will serve as finale of the annual New Zealand Festival of Tennis. Hosted at the ASB Tennis Arena for the seventh year, the party will kick off on Saturday 17 January, at the conclusion of the Heineken Open final. Leading the lineup are Canberra EDM duo Peking Duk, Wellington psychedelic-soul merchants Electric Wire Hustle, pop group Jupiter Project, dream-pop musician Chelsea Jade (formerly known as Watercolours), and Auckland based Australian DJ Dan Aux.

When: Saturday, January 17

Where: ASB Tennis Arena

How much: $40

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Flying Lotus

As well as taking the stage at Laneway Festival electronic wunderkind Flying Lotus will perform one sideshow in Auckland. For the performance FlyLo will dust off his 3D visual show, which is fully improvised live by a graphics team throughout the show. The fusion of technological innovation and experimental beat making has been explained as “a mind-expanding plasm.” The visit down under will support the release of his latest album You’re Dead!.

When: Thursday, January 28

Where: Powerstation

How much: $75

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The 1975

Manchester indie-pop four-piece The 1975 are returning to Auckland after making their first NZ appearance at the 2014 Big Day Out. Adding to their 400+ performances of the past 18 months, the show will see the band work through finely tuned material from their four EPs and their UK number one album. Support from Auckland's Clap Clap Riot.

When: Tuesday, January 20

Where: Logan Campbell Centre

How much: $64.50

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Paul Simon & Sting

Instead of his old pal Garfunkel, Paul Simon is coming to New Zealand with a man known to some as The King of Pain. Sting, the former frontman of The Police, will join the well-lauded songwriter on his third visit down under in six years. The acts are bringing their suitable titled On Stage Together tour to Auckland’s Vector Arena before continuing on a seven-date outing in Australia. Each musician will play with a combo of the backing bands and play separate sets before joining to perform material from their respective and well stacked songbooks.

When: Friday, January 30

Where: Vector Arena

How much: $99

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How To Dress Well

How To Dress Well, otherwise known as Tom Krell, is a widely respected experimental pop artist and producer all the way from the depths of Chicago. For his one New Zealand show, Krell will his unleash his haunting neo-soul stylings. Attendees can expect to be moved, both emotionally and literally, as he performs work from all three of his albums – 2010’s Love Remains, 2012’s Total Loss and his most recent output, Where Is This Heart?. 

When: Wednesday, January 21

Where: Kings Arms

How much: $39

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Music in Parks

Auckland Council's free outdoor concert series Music in Parks kicks off this month with events taking place every weekend (and two Fridays) all over the city. The run of free events will include series favourites Summer Sounds, Jazz at the Rotunda, The Culture Garden, The Tea Dances and Movies in Parks, with a line-up boasting 70+ local acts. In brief the line-up features: ten-piece big band Sal Valentine and The Babyshakes, sun soaked pop singer Jamie McDell, former Midnight Youth frontman Jeremy Redmore, London-based NZ musician Ezra Vine, NZ Opera and plenty more. See musicinparks.co.nz for more info.

When: Various

Where: Various

How much: Free

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The Kooks

Ahead of playing four dates across the ditch, the Brit-pop group will play a one-off show in Auckland at Vector Arena. For the upsized performance the band will perform material off their four albums, including last year’s Listen. The album was recorded with London-based hip hop producer Inflo, resulting in a mix of R&B, gospel and jazz flavours throughout. It’s release was preceded by four singles – ‘Down’, ‘Around Town’, ‘Bad Habit’ and ‘Forgive & Forget’. They will be joined by NZ noise-punk trio Die! Die! Die!.

When: Thursday, January 15

Where: Vector Arena

How much: $69.90

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The Winery Tour

Homegrown music in a picturesque winery with a picnic blanket in tow and a top notch glass of vino in hand. Now in its ninth year, the Winery Tour is one of the country’s most iconic tours to play out in the summer months. This year's line-up features Kiwi favourites Dave Dobbyn and Don McGlashan performing together, as well as the latest additions to the NZ Music Hall of Fame Supergroove and singer/songwriter Anika Moa.

When: Saturday, January 25

Where: Villa Maria Estate Winery

How much: $69

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