Pixies
Pixies Announce "Doolittle Tour"

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the release of their classic 1989 album, Doolittle, Pixies - Black Francis, Kim Deal, Joey Santiago and David Lovering - have embarked on a very special tour – “The Doolittle Tour” – which arrives in New Zealand in March 2010.

For the Doolittle Tour, Pixies will perform all of the songs from Doolittle and its related B-sides. Pixies' classics such as "Debaser," "Wave of Mutilation," "Here Comes Your Man," "Hey," and "Gouge Away" are all on Doolittle's track listing.

"We wanted to do something special for Doolittle's 20th anniversary," Black Francis said, "and we thought this was a good opportunity to play all of the songs from that album, something we don't normally do at a regular gig."

This will be the first New Zealand visit by Pixies, and follows on from sell-out 2009 European and US tours showcasing Doolittle.

Tickets will go on sale September 18 from Ticketmaster.

Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga returns to New Zealand in March 2010 for a much-demanded headline tour.

The New Zealand tour will feature a spectacular new arena production and full band, and follows her high-octane performance with The Pussycat Dolls in Auckland last year,

2009 was hailed the Year of Gaga as the enigmatic superstar broke records and topped the charts around the globe.

On November 27 2009, Lady Gaga kicked off her North American and European “Monster Ball” tour before heading our way.

Debut album The Fame reached the top ten in over 20 countries worldwide, with New Zealand being amongst the first to embrace the divinely intriguing Lady Gaga who has clocked up double platinum sales and four top ten singles on the official New Zealand chart.

Lady Gaga’s debut boasts massive hits including ‘Just Dance’, ‘Eh Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say)’, ‘Paparazzi’, ‘Love Game’, and the NZ #1 smash ‘Poker Face’. Back home in the US, Lady Gaga became the first artist in nearly 10 years to reach the summit of the Billboard Hot 100 with her first two chart entries, and became only the third artist in the 16-year history of the Mainstream Top 40 airplay chart to collect three #1 songs from a debut album – Just Dance, Poker Face and Love Game.

While Lady Gaga sets the charts alight, it’s on stage where her story truly comes to life. A shifting artscape of the past, present and future, a live performance by Lady Gaga leaves you wondering how music survived without her.

First show, Saturday 13 March sold-out. Second Auckland show Sunday 14, March announced - tickets on sale now and selling fast.

Massive Attack
Massive Attack, the UK’s ‘trip-hop’ pioneers, bring their haunting and hypnotic fusion of hazy beats, dub, hauntingly soulful melodies and choice samples to New Zealand this March.

Massive Attack
Massive Attack, the UK’s ‘trip-hop’ pioneers, bring their haunting and hypnotic fusion of hazy beats, dub, hauntingly soulful melodies and choice samples to New Zealand this March.

Founding members Robert Del Naja (3D) and Grant Marshall (Daddy G) will be joined on tour by vocalists Horace Andy, Deborah Miller, Martina Topley-Bird, and band members Damon Reece (drums), Angelo Bruschini (guitar), John Baggott (keyboards), Winston Blissett (bass) and Julien Brown (drums).

Plus special guest: Martina Topley-Bird

Tickets go on sale Friday, February 5 from Ticketmaster.

Also on February 5, Massive Attack will release their 5th studio album, their first since 2003’s 100th Window.

Heligoland (EMI) features guests Damon Albarn, Hope Sandoval, Martina Topley-Bird, Tunde Adebimpe of TV On The Radio, Elbow’s Guy Garvey, Portishead’s Adrian Utley and long time associate, ragga-reggae veteran Horace Andy.

Massive Attack formed out of Bristol’s legendary DJ collective The Wild Bunch in 1988, releasing their debut single Daydreaming two years later, with Shara Nelson and Tricky on vocals. The soaring Unfinished Sympathy with its iconic one-take video followed, as did Safe From Harm, again featuring Nelson, all lifted from their enduring classic and critically acclaimed debut album, Blues Lines.

The chilled out Protection followed in ‘94, with singles Karmacoma, Sly and the title track featuring Everything But The Girl’s Tracey Thorn, the album winning Massive Attack the Brit Award for Best Dance Act.

The group’s darker third album Mezzanine, featuring Teardrop – vocals by Liz Fraser (Cocteau Twins) – and Inertia Creeps, won the Q Award for Best Album and a nomination for Mercury Music Prize.

In 2008 Massive Attack were awarded the Q Award for Innovation and last year were honoured with the Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Contribution to British Music.

Supporting Massive Attack on tour, as well as appearing on stage with them, is Martina Topley-Bird. Martina came to the fore providing the feminine touch on Tricky’s landmark album Maxinquaye, plus three follow-up albums, her eerie soft vocals contrasting with Tricky’s menacing mutterings.

In 2003 Martina released her Mercury Music Prize nominated, solo debut album Quixotic, with guest appearances from David Holmes, Josh Homme and Mark Lanegan, Mojo describing it “a sensual and endlessly inventive record.” The Blue God is Martina’s latest album release. She also features on lead vocals on two new Massive Attack tracks, Babel and Psyche.

The Wiggles Live in Concert
The Wiggles Are Coming Back to NZ In 2010!

Tickets go on sale to the general public Monday December 7, 2009 at 9am

The Wiggles are thrilled to announce they will be bringing their new live show to New Zealand in 2010!

Join Sam, Jeff, Anthony and Murray and their world-famous Wiggly friends for the happiest show in town, on stage around NZ in March/April 2010

Everyone loves a circus, and this Wiggly show has acrobats, gymnasts and dancers! Every second brings a new delight.

Show director and Blue Wiggle, Anthony Field says: “I think this show is our happiest, most musical and thrilling show ever! You won't believe your eyes when Jeff summersaults over Murray’s head!”

“We had such a wonderful time when we visited New Zealand in 2009, and we’re really looking forward to coming back. We have a brand new show, new songs and new dances that we can’t wait to share with our Kiwi fans,” Anthony says.

On stage with The Wiggles will be Dorothy The Dinosaur, Henry The Octopus, Wags The Dog, Captain Feathersword and of course, The Wiggly Dancers.

Each year, The Wiggles perform live to nearly one million people worldwide. In 2009, they are touring the USA, UK Canada, New Zealand and Australia. They have sold more than 23 million DVDs and videos and 7 million CDs globally in their 18-year career.

Be quick. Get your Wiggly tickets now. They’ll sell like hot poppin’ popcorn.

Carole King & James Taylor "Troubador Reunion"
Iconic recording artists Carole King and James Taylor will begin their world tour in Melbourne on March 27, taking to the world stage together for the first time in nearly 40 years.

This once-in-a-lifetime event brings together two of the most beloved singer/songwriters for a rare concert experience, performing in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane arenas, as well as an outdoor show at Hope Estate in the Hunter Valley, followed by two New Zealand concerts.

The two-hour shows will feature a breadth of material including songs they performed during their 1970 debut show at the Troubadour in Los Angeles, which helped propel them both to the world stage.

Tickets on sale now.

The idea for the ‘Troubadour Reunion’ tour came together in 2007 after King and Taylor performed at the famed Los Angeles venue for the first time since 1970 to celebrate the Troubadour’s 50th Anniversary. The shows sold-out immediately and garnered rave reviews from fans and critics alike.

The Los Angeles Times noted “the sense of occasion [and] weight of history in the evening” and Variety said “Taylor and King reminded us about the intensity of song, that the artistically rich and commercial viable are not mutually exclusive...”

Now Australian and New Zealand fans will be able to experience what was created on that magical evening in 2007. Nearly four decades after helping define the singer-songwriter movement, King and Taylor will tour together with the original band-mates guitarist Danny “Kootch” Kortchmar, drummer Russ Kunkel and bassist Lee Sklar, famous in their own right as ‘The Section’.

“When James and I first played together in the early seventies, we connected immediately, both musically and personally, with an effortless, comfortable familiarity,” Carole King said.

“After we reunited in 2007 with Danny Kortchmar, Lee Sklar, and Russ Kunkel, the original band from our early Troubadour shows, none of us wanted the fun to stop. We can’t wait to bring our Troubadour Reunion tour to Australia and New Zealand.”

“This tour, our Troubadour Reunion, has been waiting to happen for a long time and the years seem to have vanished, where does the time go?” Taylor asks.

Carole King performed with James Taylor at the Troubadour in November 1970 This historic show marked King’s debut as a solo artist after penning 22 Top 40 hits for artists ranging from Aretha Franklin to the Monkees, while Taylor was supporting his self-titled Apple Records release featuring classics such as Carolina In My Mind and Something In The Way She Moves.

Both have since become multi-platinum-selling artists, Grammy winners and members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame.

In 1971, King gave us the landmark Tapestry. The album received a Diamond Award from the RIAA for sales of more than 10 million units in the U.S., with more than 25 million units sold worldwide. King was the first woman to win four Grammy Awards in one year - Best Album, Best Song, Best Record, and Best Vocal Performance in 1972 - a feat unsurpassed for more than 25 years. That same year Time Magazine named King “Woman of the Year”.

Kelly Clarkson with special guest Eric Hutchinson
“Kelly Clarkson is that rarest of television celebrity contestants: an artist blessed with a startlingly huge voice and more than a modicum of musical talent.” – The Boston Globe

“That girl-next-door charm, combined with her booming voice, translates nicely into feisty pop songs about boy troubles.” – The Washington Post

KELLY CLARKSON, the world’s first ‘American Idol,’ now a certified pop sensation, is bringing her ALL I EVER WANTED TOUR to Australia and New Zealand. Clarkson latest studio album, All I Ever Wanted has been dominating airwaves since it’s March 2009 release, and in April 2010 she will be hitting our shores with her infectious, high-energy live show.

The tour will begin in Auckland on Sunday 11 April at Vector Arena; it then makes the jump to the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Tuesday 13 April before heading to the Newcastle Entertainment Centre on Thursday 15 April. The following weekend, she’ll pick up at Acer Arena in Sydney, on Saturday 17 April, and then rock out in Melbourne at the Rod Laver Arena on Monday 19 April. Her last stop on the tour and in Australia will be Thursday 22 April at Challenge Stadium in Perth.

Currently opening for Kelly Clarkson in the USA, her compatriot Eric Hutchinson will also join the Australian and New Zealand legs of the “All I Ever Wanted” World tour. Eric Hutchinson, probably best known for his catchy song “Rock and Roll”, featured on the hit TV show Packed To The Rafters.

All I Ever Wanted is Clarkson’s fourth album, about which, compared to her previous releases, she says is, “definitely more in your face and kind of a dance-rock-soulful kind of thing, which is different for me.” The tour’s title taken from the hit album is a great personal fit for Clarkson. She admits, “All I ever wanted is just to do music; I love playing, singing live, recording and writing and this song just encompasses that.”

Fans can look forward to hearing all of her hits from Since You’ve Been Gone, Because of You and My Life Would Suck Without You, to a few surprises such as covers from the likes of Kings of Leon and Patsy Cline to the White Stripes. She adds, “I cannot wait to get on the road and tour… When I’m putting an album together, I’m thinking about what am I going to want to perform on tour because I love touring. I’m always thinking, what songs will be fun to sing? It’s going to be a fun record to tour.”

Kelly Clarkson became the first winner of American Idol in 2002 and since then her records have been widely successful and she has truly broken away from the Idol mould. Her second album Breakaway spent 52 weeks in the top 10, and was certified 6 x Platinum. It was Breakaway that earned Clarkson her two Grammy Awards; one for “Best Female Pop Vocal Performance” and “Best Pop Vocal Album.”

Clarkson has sold more than twenty million records worldwide, with over 950,000 of those in Australia alone. These sales make her the highest-selling Idol winner in history. Eight of her singles have made it to the Top Ten and she has won two Grammy Awards, two American Music Awards, two MTV Awards and 11 Billboard Awards; and even been nominated for a CMA Award.

Tickets go on sale Thursday 12 November. Don’t miss your chance to see US pop sensation Kelly Clarkson live in April 2010. Your life would suck without this show!

Spandau Ballet with special guests Tears for Fears
After much speculation, Stewart & Tricia Macpherson announce the first ever visit to New Zealand, in April, by two of the 80’s greatest bands – Spandau Ballet and Tears for Fears.

Fresh from sell-out shows in London’s 02 Arena, both bands are visiting Australia in April, and we’ve managed to convince them to play one date in Auckland’s Vector Arena on 29 April from 7.30pm.

All the original members of both bands will play all their hits, so its effectively 2 shows for the price of one.

Experience Spandau Ballet performing songs like Gold, True, Lifeline, I Don’t Need This Pressure On, To Cut A Long Story Short, and Only When You Leave in a 2-hour set.

Opening the night are Tears For Fears whose hits include Shout, Mad World, Mother’s Talk, I Believe, Head Over Heels, Woman In Chains, Sowing The Seeds Of Love, and Everybody Wants To Rule The World.

It’s a massive show with huge video production – see an example at www.youtube.com/user/OfficialSpandau#p/a/u/0/n6Nn_hP_98k

Tickets thru Ticketmaster - (0800) 111 999

Disney on Ice presents a Disneyland Adventure
Catch the next ride to run with Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy and Pluto as they embark on an adventure through the park in Disney on Ice presents a Disneyland Adventure.

Swing to the beat on the Jungle Cruise with Baloo, Rock-n-roll with Stitch in the Tiki Room, have a blast with Buzz Lightyear on Space Mountain, and take a wile spin on the Mad Tea Party with Alice and the Mad Hatter! Be prepared for the mischief that lurks around the corner when Maleficent turns Minnie and Donald into her two sleeping beauties and takes over the ice.

Thrill to edge-of-your seat excitement when everyone's favourite superhero family, The Incredibles, shows up to help Mickey save the day! Catch this fun-filled adventure on ice fit for the entire family coming to Auckland and Christchurch!

Tickets on sale from Monday, 19th April.

Register early as a priority customer at www.disneyonice.co.nz.

World Wrestling Entertainment® - Smackdown® and ECW® Live
Due to popular demand, World Wrestling Entertainment® (WWE) has added an additional date to their official Smackdown® and ECW® live event tour.

The biggest names in SmackDown and ECW will explode into Auckland, New Zealand for what promises to be the live event of the year. Undertaker®, Edge®, Rey Mysterio® and many more of the fans favourite WWE Superstars and Diva’s will thrill a packed out Vector Arena in August, 2010.

WWE is returning to Australia and New Zealand for an unprecedented ninth year running with the official SmackDown and ECW Tour in July/August 2010. Line-up subject to change.

Tickets will sell fast so don't miss your opportunity to see all your
favourite WWE Superstars in action.

Tickets will be available on-line at www.ticketmaster.co.nz or charge by phone 09 970 9700.

Tickets go on sale 9.00am, 26 February 2010.

Burt Bacharach - New Dates
The Greatest Living Composer, Burt Bacharach, announces new dates for his tour of New Zealand.

The ultra cool, cult hero and his sublime band will now perform at Auckland's Vector Arena On Friday, November 5 and At Christchurch's Westpac Arena On Sunday, November 7. The new dates follow last month's postponement due to Burt having to undergo emergency back surgery.

Existing ticketholders will be contacted as soon as possible to transfer their tickets to the new show dates.

Burt has written more than seventy Classic Top 40 hits with nine Number Ones and forty-eight Top Tens. Mike Myers' "Lucky Charm" has also contributed to the careers of Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Tom Jones, Dusty Springfield, Neil Diamond, Dionne Warwick, Aretha Franklin, Elvis Costello, Diana Krall, REM, Sheryl Crow, Gene Pitney and The Beatles.

The phenomenal Bacharach catalogue includes -

Alfie, What’s New Pussycat?, Any Day Now, Blue on Blue, Close To You, Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head, There's Always Something There to Remind Me, I Say A Little Prayer, Arthur's Theme, Do You Know The Way to San Jose?, A House is Not A Home, The Look of Love, I'll Never Fall in Love Again, Message to Michael, That's What Friends Are For, Trains And Boats And Planes, This Guy's in Love With You, Only Love Can Break A Heart, Twenty Four Hours From Tulsa, Wives and Lovers, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, Walk on By, What The World Needs Now Is Love, One Less Bell to Answer and Anyone Who Had a Heart.

"Last time he was here, he wrapped the hearts of everyone in a lovely warm sponge of the lost loves of our pasts, lost loved ones and all those cross roads where our great, emotional train wrecks occurred through the years. A truly profound evening, and like Leonard Cohen - old people can still pack a mighty punch" -- Greg Peacock, Oceania.

Whilst on his last visit Downunder, the recipient of three Academy Awards was honoured at the 50th Grammy Awards with the Lifetime Achievement Award (his eighth Grammy) and proclaimed the "Greatest Living Composer" by the Recording Academy.

Burt’s global audiences span several generations, and he is viewed as the unique combination of one of the greatest composers of all time and the ultra-cool cult hero of the contemporary music set who often has several songs on various music charts in many countries simultaneously.

"One of the best and most inspiring concerts I've ever seen. That man is a genius," Simon Gomez, The Radio Network.

Along with Bob Dylan, John Lennon and Paul McCartney and Paul Simon, Burt is a legend of popular music and is regularly bracketed with names ranging from Cole Porter to Sir George Martin, as one of a handful of visionaries who pioneered new forms of music from the second half of the 20th Century and continued into the 21st Century.

You'll be entranced with every magical and sophisticated moment that is Burt Bacharach as he shares with us the special moments of his long career and the stories behind the songs performed with his magnificent band of musicians and singers.

The elegance, the melodies, the bliss. Don’t Walk on By! Book your seats now.