The resurgence of live events continues to boom post-Covid. Here are express’ recommendations of cutting-edge comedy and must-see gigs!
Calum Scott –
There’s nothing quite like seeing world class singer perform in an intimate venue, so when Calum Scott takes over Auckland’s Powerstation on Tuesday 15 November, expect chills! After finding fame on Britain’s Got Talent with his mesmerising cover of Robyn’s Dancing On My Own, Scott has gone from strength to strength, or more accurately, hit to hit, with Leona Lewis duet, You Are The Reason, EDM smash, Where Are You Now and raw ballad, ‘If You Ever Change Your Mind – all cementing him as the new voice of a generation.
Calum Scott plays Auckland’s Powerstation on Tuesday 15 November.
Alan Cumming Is Not Acting His Age
Bestselling memoirist, podcaster, Olivier and Tony Award-winning Scottish/American actor, nightclub owner and cabaret icon Alan Cumming is coming to New Zealand to perform ‘Alan Cumming Is Not Acting His Age’; a devilish evening of story and song celebrating and exploring his puckish, eclectic spirit and joie de vivre, with a joyful and mischievous exploration of that most communal of pastimes: ageing! A uniquely queer icon, Cumming debuted the show when he curated the Adelaide Fringe Festival to critical acclaim!
Cumming will perform at the Auckland Town Hall on Monday 16, and Wellington’s St James on Tuesday 17 January.
ZM’s Friday Jams Live
There ain’t no party like an R&B Party, and ZM’s Friday Jams Live is a single-day festival that brings the party to Auckland’s Western Springs. Friday Jams Live has built its reputation on big all-star line ups, and 2022’s is no exception – headlined by socially conscious rapper Macklemore (Same Love, Thrift Shop) and legendary girl group TLC (Waterfalls, No Scrubs). The rest of the stacked line-up includes Akon, Ashanti, Shaggy, Jay Sean and Dru Hill.
ZM’s Friday Jams Live takes over Auckland’s Western Springs on Sunday 12 November.
Hanson’s Red Blue Green 2022 Tour
Wanna feel old? Hanson’s pop classic ‘MMMBop’ was released 25 years ago! The three young brothers who wrote and sang the song now have 15 children between them! They have also recently released their tenth studio album (there are additional Live and Christmas albums) Red Green Blue, which essentially combines a solo project from each brother represented by a different colour. The brothers will play a career spanning set when they come to Auckland – come for the nostalgia, stay for the great songwriting.
Hanson play Auckland’s Powerstation on Saturday 19 November.
Florence + The Machine’s Dance Fever Tour
Renowned live performer Florence Welch returns to New Zealand for the first time since the pandemic, supporting her latest upbeat album, Dance Fever. One of the defining artists of our era Florence’s songwriting and vocal stylings reach beyond her years, beyond genres, beyond labels – belting remarkable hits like King, Ship To Wreck, Spectrum and Dog Days Are Over. This tour is made even more unmissable by killer queer support act King Princess who is soon to follow up her debut album ‘Cheap Queen’.
Florence + The Machine’s Dance Fever Tour hits Spark Arena on Tuesday 21 March.
