Tonight sees the return of one of Dunedin's best nights for fans of alternative music, Radio One's Onefest at the University of Otago's Union Hall.
Featuring a diverse line-up of our country's finest music, the show is 100% free with a 2016 Onecard, which will also get you into a year's worth of 91Club Nights, including the Dunedin appearance of Wellington electronica trio Groeni on March 4.
So in something of a tradition of my own, here's the Suitable Alternative breakdown of Radio One's Onefest 2016.
SILICON
Fresh from being booted from the Laneway Festival tour for provocatively "kissing a cop's gun'' during a live performance in Adelaide, former Mint Chick Kody Nielson's new project will headline Onefest this year.
A relatively new project for the multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and engineer, Silicon made its debut last year with the seductive noir-electronica of God Emoji.
The tranquil night-time synth number which pulled together the funk and soul elements of Nielson's Devils project and the sumptuous pop songwriting of Opossum, God Emoji asked a question of the 21st century: Can the physical ever again match the arousing constellation of the synthetic?
Will the circuits you hold in your hand leave space for those in your head?
As always, "Computer says no''.
ORCHESTRA OF SPHERES
The Orchestra of Spheres may look as if they hail from another planet, with their ancient future funk costumes, but the Wellington collective are experts on Earth's cultures and global traditions.
Using instruments formal and homemade (biscuit tin guitar, sexomouse marimba anyone?), the quartet trawls a world music history to create hybrid music and a completely distinct sound.
From disco and electro to prog rock, it's all here.
And it's all very cosmic, and very danceable.
THE AVERAGE RAP BAND
After the delusion and dissolution of @peace, award-losing Auckland rappers Tom Scott and Lui Tuiasau took up residence in a derelict coffee shop in Melbourne's Smith St and created The Average Rap Band.
With the intelligence dial turned way up, and the emphasis on astute observations and darkly hilarious commentary over chilled out, cruisy beats, like most things these good dudes touch, it's on point.
LARZRANDA
LarzRanda can write bangers, but still seems really chill.
He can make you laugh with niche '90s pop-culture references one minute, and then floor you with stripped-bare honesty and crucial statements on transgender identity the next.
STREET CHANT
The best damn heavy pop band in all of New Zealand, it'll be an honour to have Auckland's Street Chant back in town.
While I'm still eagerly awaiting their sophomore album, I'll happily settle in to hear those new perfectly off-beat guitar melodies.
OPPOSITE SEX
Opening proceedings are Dunedin's Opposite Sex.
The no-wave post-punkers walk an imaginary line between pop, country ballads and free noise, and on their sophomore album Hamlet, their sound is gothic, surprising, and totally compelling.
HOLY CLASSIC ROCK GOODNESS, BATMAN! IT'S THE ANGELS!
The Angels, one of the most raucous and rocking outfits to emerge from Australia's pub scene, are making an appearance in Dunedin next week.
The band, which comprises original guitarists Rick and John Brewster and frontman Dave Gleeson, will surely be running through their long list of stadium-sized power anthems such as No Secrets, Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again and After the Rain.
My dad should be stoked. Support comes from Dragon and Mi-Sex.
See it
• Onefest, Saturday, February 27, at the University of Otago's Union Hall featuring Silicon, Orchestra of Spheres, The Average Rap Band, LarzRanda, Street Chant, Opposite Sex and DJ Riki Gooch with visuals by Lady Lazer Light. Entry is free with an OUSA SuperPass or 2016 Onecard (limited capacity - first in first served), $10 door-sales without. 8pm doors. R17.
• The Angels, Dragon and Mi-Sex, Saturday, February 27, Dunedin Town Hall. Tickets available from ticketdirect.co.nz
