Because of this, music lovers can sometimes feel the January gig calendar is a bit empty. But never fear! There are still plenty of live music events happening throughout Otago this week.
They may be less "band" focused than usual, but folk and country music fans are in for a treat.
Trident House, Ōtepoti,
January 11
Reid+Wolken are an Ōtepoti-based jazz duo who have created a distinctive and modern sonic world. They fuse elements of modal jazz with experimental harmonies, atmospheric textures and minimalist grooves.
Karen Reid is hypnotic and sultry as a vocalist, while Alex Wolken explores complex harmonies and progressions on his guitar. The result is grounded yet free flowing, with delightful tensions and releases.
Grainstore Gallery, Oamaru, January 15
Sherwood, Queenstown, January 17
Ruby Gill has a reputation for being unmissable, with songs that are simultaneously gritty, tender and funny as she investigates the realities of modern life. She’s won high praise from international critics and won prestigious accolades such as Sunday Time’s Breaking Act (United Kingdom) and a nomination for the Australian Music Prize.
Mimi Gilbert honed her craft as a busker, learning the art of storytelling, the impact of vulnerability, and the power of her complex and mesmerising voice. Her personal songs are filled with the unpicking and putting-back-together of life.
HALF LIGHT
Dunedin Folk Cub, Ōtepoti, January 16
Half Light are a duo consisting of Melbourne-based flute and whistle virtuoso Rennie Pearson and Wellingtonian Bob McNeill, playing dynamic and intricate guitar.
The duo plays original music, including a number of McNeill’s award-winning compositions — he has won three Aotearoa Music Awards for best folk album — along with some judiciously selected traditional Irish tunes.
They describe their sound as being full of "dark energy". It is a new fresh approach to folk music that will whirl you up in its thumping rhythms and soaring instrumentation.
RHYME & REASON
Wānaka, January 16
Peace Memorial Hall, Ophir, January 17
Taiari Wai River festival,
January 18
Franco-American Tess Liautaud is a recent import to Aotearoa, having honed her craft in Paris for more than a decade. She now lives in Ōtautahi, where she is a stalwart of the music scene. She spent much of lockdown in Wānaka writing music and is thrilled to be returning.
Liautaud’s voice is warm, her lyrics melancholy, and her band provides solid backing with rhythmic banjo and lifting basslines.
Her album Blue Mind was rated one of the best country albums of last year by Bandcamp, who said "Liautaud makes music you can point to the next time someone asks you to define the Americana genre: twangy rock, rough-hewn jangle, dusky vibes and raw emotions".
TAIARI WAI RIVER FESTIVAL
Pātearoa School, Ranfurly district, January 18
The Taiari Wai Music festival is held at the old Pātearoa School grounds in the Ranfurly district. Now in its second year, the goal of the family-focused music festival is to engage the Otago community in knowledge and care for the Taiari/Taieri river.
Tess Liautaud and her band will be performing at the festival as part of their tour.
Other artists include songwriter and guitarist Mads Harrop playing her swirling punky creations, banjo and guitarist Jessie Shanks playing contemporary folk tunes, and five-piece acoustic swing band Skin and Bone.
The Grainstore Gallery, Oamaru, January 18
Melbourne-based Matt Joe Gow makes country music for country music fans. The Ōtepoti-born Gow certainly dresses the part in cowboy hat and open shirt, and his celebrated and distinctive voice has a strong American twang.
Gow’s set list is diverse, traversing many Americana styles, which all land pitch perfect. As one reviewer said, Gow has "absorbed the mechanics and the formulas of this genre — and has definitely got the sound right". He has played festivals in the UK and the US and twice won the Music Victoria Country Album of the Year.
