The Spinoff Staff Recall Unforgettable New Zealand Live Music Moments
In celebration of New Zealand Music Month, The Spinoff invites its staff to share their most memorable local live music experiences. Production editor Calum Henderson recounts seeing The Mint Chicks at the Big Day Out in Auckland on January 21, 2005. Despite generally disliking the festival, he describes the band's chaotic energy and a chainsaw stunt by Kody Neilson as pure heaven, highlighting a cover of the Buzzcocks' 'Ever Fallen In Love.' Another contributor reflects on Aldous Harding and Weyes Blood performing at Auckland Town Hall on March 14, 2020. This concert is remembered as one of the last normal social gatherings before global lockdowns due to the emerging Covid-19 pandemic. The writer describes the surreal atmosphere of dancing amidst growing anxiety, finding poetic resonance in the lyrics while aware it might be the final pre-pandemic party. These anecdotes illustrate the profound emotional impact of live performances, ranging from youthful ecstasy to poignant nostalgia during times of societal change.
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The Spinoff Staff Recall Unforgettable New Zealand Live Music Moments
In celebration of New Zealand Music Month, The Spinoff invites its staff to share their most memorable local live music experiences. Production editor Calum Henderson recounts seeing The Mint Chicks at the Big Day Out in Auckland on January 21, 2005. Despite generally disliking the festival, he describes the band's chaotic energy and a chainsaw stunt by Kody Neilson as pure heaven, highlighting a cover of the Buzzcocks' 'Ever Fallen In Love.' Another contributor reflects on Aldous Harding and Weyes Blood performing at Auckland Town Hall on March 14, 2020. This concert is remembered as one of the last normal social gatherings before global lockdowns due to the emerging Covid-19 pandemic. The writer describes the surreal atmosphere of dancing amidst growing anxiety, finding poetic resonance in the lyrics while aware it might be the final pre-pandemic party. These anecdotes illustrate the profound emotional impact of live performances, ranging from youthful ecstasy to poignant nostalgia during times of societal change.
The Spinoff