😔One of the best Kiwi filmmakers of the past 50 years, a superb film reviewer, a keen mentor to many, & a passionate musician - & always a pleasure to meet & interview. Most of all: an all-round top bloke. He will be missed by many. My thoughts are with Costa's whānau.

What perfect album came out the year you turned 16?

And to celebrate here in Aotearoa... Another classic from The Front Lawn!

😞

🙏 to RNZ Afternoons show for interviewing UK saxophonist superstar Jess Gillam, ahead of her NZ concerts with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra 20 Nov Wellington & 22 Nov Christchurch. 🔗👇https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/afternoons/audio/2019011398/saxophonist-jess-gillam-is-coming-to-nzso

And my nomination for best album cover of the year is... (and the music is great too!)

One ring to rule them all!

RIP Dave Ball - who, from my hazy memory of 27 March 1995, sported a white jumpsuit on stage as a member of The Grid while performing at Wellington's old Winter Show Building in support of M People!

The first trailer for Fire And Water: Making The Avatar Films, a two=part docuseries diving deep into the work that goes into making James Cameron's sci-fi blockbusters, has been released. The series drops on Disney+ on 7 November. WATCH THE TRAILER: www.empireonline.com/tv/news/fire...

The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra premieres Kiwi composer Victoria Kelly's Stabat Mater in Wellington tonight (2 Oct) & Auckland tomorrow (3 Oct) - the same multi-talented Victoria who was the superb vocalist on this Strawpeople track.

Woo-hoo! The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra 2026 Season is now live. To secure your tickets early & get the best discounts, become an NZSO Member for as little as $10 for 12 months. The line-up includes current UK classical charts No.1 Isata Kanneh-Mason! 🎹

Me too! And Sundance has had an enormous impact on furthering the careers of NZ film-makers, including Taika Waititi. RIP 😞

⭐️⚡️🎤🎸🎶

I crocheted Patti Smith’s Horses cover

See and hear the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra at New Plymouth's Len Lye Centre this weekend, performing a special new work in celebration of the centre's 10th birthday.

Review: Life in One Chord and Anchor Me linger on two tricky yet brilliant artists

RIP the great Terence Stamp. At the world premiere of Priscilla Queen of the Desert musical in Sydney I saw him leave the men's bathroom as I was walking in. (Then at the bar I realised as my beer was being poured that Barry Humphries was standing next to me: "Make that two beers!")

WATCH 📺The acclaimed André de Ridder (Gorillaz, The National, Radiohead) conducts the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra in three concerts this weekend 15-17 Aug) in Auckland, including Creepy-Crawly Carnival hosted by Bret McKenzie. But don't just take my word for it, listen to the man himself!

New Zealand Symphony Orchestra’s Creepy-Crawly Carnival, featuring Bret McKenzie, premieres in Wellington with much to draw on.

No wonder internationally acclaimed conductor Andre de Ridder is smiling! He's rehearsing with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra ahead of the NZSO's concerts in Wellington (8-10 Aug) & Auckland (15-17 Aug), that's why! www.nzso.co.nz/the-nzso/eve...

Nice to see one of my favourite American writers and anthologists giving a shout-out to New Zealand writer Matt Suddain. 🕺

✨The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra's winter festival comes to Wellington this week (8-10 Aug) & Auckland (15-17 Aug). Three big concerts, free daytime events & much more with the NZSO led by international star conductor Andre de Ridder! ⚡🔗👇

"Pure joy." Regional News reviews the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra & Signature Choir's Mana Moana.

😢 Time for an old favourite.

WATCH! New Zealand Symphony Orchestra's Firebird concerts in Wellington (17 July) & Christchurch (19 July) are the New Zealand debut of Finnish conductor Emilia Hoving.

🎹Don't miss international ⭐ pianist Javier Perianes' New Zealand Symphony Orchestra debut in Wellington (17 July) & Christchurch (19 July). For more, here's Javier on RNZ Concert!

The Residents reborn? 🤔 www.thepost.co.nz/culture/3607...

The sky above the port was the colour of television, tuned to Apple TV+! 🙂

🎻Ahead of NZSO National Youth Orchestra's NYO Adventure concerts in Wellington (5 July) & Auckland (6 July) RNZ Concert interviews the conductor Adam Johnson. www.rnz.co.nz/concert/prog...

As someone whose paper round money went straight to buying 2000AD (The Galaxy's Greatest Comic), it was incredibly zarjaz to be asked aboard ROGUE TROOPER from @manmademoon.bsky.social

Nice to see @jemaineclement.bsky.social in an old favourite from 2000 AD! Zarjaz!

Plans are afoot at Shelly Bay.

In my room today. 😔

Composer Briar Prastiti's new work, The Garden, premieres in the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra's Masterworks tour, which kicks off in Wellington on 31 May. 🔗👇 for a video interview by RNZ Concert with Briar!

RIP, TV's Andrew Shaw. 😞 What a ⭐ he was for Kiwi kids after school in the mid- to late 1970s can't be overstated.

"Rhythmically superb" - @thepost-nz.bsky.social reviews the New Zealand Symphony's Echoes of Home concert in Wellington. www.thepost.co.nz/culture/3607...

"foot-stomping" Regional News reviews the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra's Echoes of Home concert in Wellington.

Hungarian conductor Gabor Kali conducts the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra for the first time in Wellington (23 May) & Christchurch (25 May). Listen to Maestro Kali on Radio New Zealand Concert with Bryan Crump. 🎻

Hungarian conductor Gabor Kali makes his New Zealand debut with the NZ Symphony Orchestra in Wellington (23 May) & Christchurch (25 May) as previewed in @thepost-nz.bsky.social & @thepress.co.nz www.thepost.co.nz/culture/3606...

"Remarkable." New Zealand Symphony Orchestra in Wellington's Regional News.

The ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐reviews for the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra's Legends tour continue.

Another super soaraway review of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra's Legends concert.

Bach to mine: conductor Masaaki Suzuki talks to RNZ Concert ahead of his Legends concerts with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.

"Extraordinary" Superb review in @thepost-nz.bsky.social of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra's Legends concert 9 May. Full houses in Wellington, Auckland & Hamilton!

A great piece by New Zealand Symphony Orchestra archivist Graeme Browne in today's @thepost-nz.bsky.social

I'm now experiencing flashbacks to watching John Waters' Polyester, which included scratch-and-sniff 'Odorama' cards, in New Zealand cinemas circa 1981.

The books are great, so fingers crossed on the TV adaptation. 🤖

Happy Easter

Pianist Daniil Trifonov's New Zealand debut made for an unforgettable night says @thepost-nz.bsky.social 🎹🔗👇