RDU 98.5FM celebrates 45 years - 1976 to 2021 Announcing new facility SALTBOX Studios to help foster Ōtautahi Musicians

RDU 98.5FM has been the leading music broadcaster in Ōtautahi since 1976. Championing our local and regional musicians by promoting their music, gigs, tours...and personalities. Traditionally only offering playlist outcomes for musicians, RDU plans to continue building capacity in its 45th year by embarking on a journey to open recording and production facilities only a stones throw from the station door.

Last year, The University of Canterbury executed a national survey through the Student Radio Network, to identify areas where our nation's musicians needed support. They included, building community, facilitating higher quality production values and education in improving capability.

And so for RDU, a purpose built facility connected to a broadcast platform was not only a logical step forward, but a necessity in this uncertain climate. RDU 98.5FM director James Meharry had a clear purpose in mind:

“Our motivations to build this facility and programme are driven by the needs we see around us every day. We must develop the capability of RDU beyond broadcasting. We know this is the right decision and the time has come to make our move.”

SALTBOX Studios will provide educational programmes, rehearsal spaces, a recording studio and spaces for creatives to connect and collaborate. RDU is set to launch a BOOSTED campaign in October and will be making lava hot noise to bring in support. All support will be channelled into making the studio fit-for-purpose.

THE BOOSTED CAMPAIGN: RDU 98.5FM is seeking support for our Boosted campaign. This is to set-up and fitout SALTBOX Studios. The Campaign will be running October 21st - November 18th. If you can help this campaign in any way, please make contact on the details provided below or head straight to the boosted project site and donate today!

https://boosted.org.nz/projects/rdu45

New Zealand @ Folk Alliance International Online Showcasing Opportunity

FOLK Alliance International

February 15-17, 2022

The Folk Alliance International Conference is the world’s largest gathering of the Folk music industry and community (crossing a diverse array of genres including Appalachian, Americana, Blues, Bluegrass, Celtic, Cajun, Global Roots, Indigenous, Old Time, Traditional, Singer-Songwriter, and Spoken Word).

The annual February conference draws 2,700 artists and industry (agents, managers, publishers, labels, festival/venue presenters, promoters, media) dedicated to folk music. Delegates who attended the 2019 conference represented 27 countries including Armenia, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, France, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, and Yemen.

Previous New Zealand artists include Mel Parsons, Anika Moa, Delaney Davidson, Māmā Mihirangi & the Māreikura, Marlon Williams, Graeme James and Albi & The Wolves.

Introducing Folk Alliance International Spotlight Showcases

The 2022 Folk Alliance International Conference will be a hybrid event, with the in-person portion being held at the Westin Crown Center Hotel in Kansas City, Missouri, USA, on February 23-27. The online International Spotlight Showcases will take place a week prior to the in-person event and will see live performances from around the globe.

New Zealand @ Folk Alliance International 2022

The New Zealand Music Commission is partnering with Folk Alliance International to present a virtual New Zealand Showcase. We will be presenting 4 artists/bands who will each get 14 minutes to perform a live pre-recorded presentation. We will provide each act with financial support to create their content. Interested applicants can apply through the form below. The final New Zealand lineup will be chosen by our partners at Folk Alliance. 

Link: https://nzmusiccom.formstack.com/forms/FAI22

Applications close November 22nd at 5:00pm.

First Artists Announced WOMAD NZ 2022

18 - 20 March, 2022
TSB Bowl of Brooklands and Brooklands Park
New Plymouth, Taranaki

WOMAD 2022 Early-Bird tickets on sale now

WOMAD returns delivering world-class performers from Aotearoa,
for the award-winning three day festival.

For its 17th presentation in New Zealand, WOMAD NZ is back in full force with all of its eight stages that will feature close to 100 hours of music, with the diverse and rich range of talent that WOMAD go-ers have come to expect. Over three days of March 18-20, Ngāmotu's stunning Brooklands Park and the TSB Bowl of Brooklands will once again be transformed into a village of colour, energy and inclusion.

A unique opportunity has presented itself with the constraints caused by the global pandemic as WOMAD programmers have dug into the wealth of Aotearoa's musical talent to present a unique array of artists that will deliver the sense of discovery the festival is so well known and loved for. This first announcement includes a collaboration of New Zealand and Indian musicians, Shades of Shakti combining traditional Indian music and jazz. Festival favourites, Fat Freddy's Drop return for the first time in 12 years along with WOMAD first-timers; modern R&B extraordinaire, Deva Mahal and jazz-hip-hop mastermind Avantdale Bowling Club.

WOMAD International's Head of Programming, Paula Henderson says, "For WOMAD, we are usually very spoilt, we have the whole world at our fingertips in terms of programming. When we first thought about doing WOMAD with a mainly national event over a year ago initially, I thought no way… but, I was wrong. It will sound a little strange, but, although challenging (as there were no gigs to go to), spending hours scouring the internet to find new artists that would suit the festival has been really exciting and I am confident that we have a programme that our audience will be overjoyed with."

Fat Freddy’s Drop are excited for their return to the festival commenting, “Taranaki, we’re stoked to be coming back to perform our new and classic tunes under the watchful eye of the mighty maunga. It's been 12 years since we performed there, and even though we've played WOMAD around the world nothing beats Taranaki. Chur Aotearoa”

In addition to the musical line up, the increasingly popular offerings of the World Of Words stage and STEAM Lab return. Iconic kiwi artist, product designer and author, Dick Frizzell makes his performance debut at WOMAD. As does now household name, microbiologist and science communicator, Dr Siouxsie Wiles who leads the line up for STEAM Lab. Taste The World, Kidzone, and Te Pae Pae will also return with programming to be announced. The full artist announcement is scheduled for October 20, 2021.

WOMAD NZ’s Associate Programmer, Josie Hunter Annand adds “As a festival attendee next March, you can definitely expect that, despite the current global restrictions we’re all facing right now, WOMAD will take you on a journey outside of these confines, with a much-needed chance to reconnect to the people, places, tastes and sounds of our world, right here in Aotearoa!”

OUTFIELD MUSIC, FOOD & ARTS FESTIVAL 2022 - MUSIC LINE-UP ANNOUNCEMENT!

In the crook of Māui’s hook something special is cultivating. Stretching from the Tuki Tuki River to Kidnappers’ dramatic cliff faces, the Cape Coast is one of New Zealand’s best kept secrets. Home to a thriving community of artists and artisans, worshippers of surf and sun, the coast is lined with laden vines to produce some of the region’s finest wines. It’s an eclectic place with curiosity and potential adventure around every corner. Venture into its rolling hills to discover a veritable eden, Te Awanga Downs, whose bucolic meadows play host to Outfield Festival - a celebration of music, food, arts and community.

Now in its third year, Outfield is evolving and growing into an experience to ignite the senses. Delivered with sunny Hawke’s Bay spirit, the festival prides itself on sustainable practices, care for the local environment, and the people who flock from far and wide.

Outfield’s headliner is Young Franco, the Brisbane producer hot on the tongues of the global electronic music scene and charming his way into your hearts. On high rotation across streaming platforms and Australia’s airwaves, he’s sold out shows worldwide, winning himself fans and friends wherever he goes. Bringing the crowd and building a vibe with smiling stage presence, epic jam sessions and fantastic original productions, Young Franco is one to watch.

Keeping it closer to home, Outfield presents Dunedin band The Chills, spreading quality original NZ-sounding, melodic rock music across the global stage since way back. The presence of these legendary staples of Kiwi rock on the Outfield main stage will thrill their ever expanding fan base and cult following. Fronted by the rare talent of Martin Phillipps and furnished with the highest standard of musicians, The Chills explode with essential consistent energy delivered with intensity and conviction.

Speaking of Kiwi upstarts, Outfield will also feature the dynamic hip-hop stylings of JessB, whose effortless stage presence and natural bars, rhythms and flows endear her to audiences everywhere. Since bursting onto the scene in 2017, she’s taken her initial momentum and whipped it into a whirlwind, making her a force to be reckoned with at home and around the globe.
Sourcing the best from the world stage, Outfield is excited to bring you Weird Together, a seamless blend of organic musical discovery and collaboration. With UK Producer/DJ Dick ‘Magik’ Johnson at the helm, curating and producing the group’s eclectic global focused sound, Weird Together will spread a smile across your face and get your body moving on the dance floor.

Other musicians on the Outfield lineup include; Shag Rock (Aus), Mermaidens, Eno x Dirty, Dolphin Friendly, Masaya, Body Ocean, Headland, Witters & MC Crafty, Halfqueen, Guardian Singles, O & The Mo, Arahi, Dateline, Hurricane Emily, Wattsson, Techno Tradie, Aunty El, Halps, Ruffhouse, Levi, Skye, Waja, Sammy W, Deep Fried Funk, High Rotation DJs, Sneeky, Larry Nobody, Snowjob, The Cellars, Danica Bryant, Atlantic Wave and Sindee Voo.

Outfield’s team are veterans of the New Zealand music scene, with over a decade of touring top notch international acts under their belts. Continuing their legacy of joy creation, they turned their skills to curating a festival experience at home that is uniquely Hawke’s Bay.

Set in the nation’s fruit bowl, they tap into the abundance of local producers to provide the finest craft beers, wines and artisan delicacies delivering a feast of quality food and beverage options for festival fuel. Drawing from the burgeoning local arts scene, the space is transformed into a playground of delights for the young and young at heart alike. With a host of attractions on its doorstep, including a world class golf course, vintage car museum, and the world’s largest, most accessible gannet nesting place at nearby Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony, Outfield isn’t just a festival. For out-of-towners, it’s the gateway to an idyllic summer holiday in the bay.

Outfield’s gates open at 1.00pm on Saturday, February 12, 2022.

This is a family friendly, licensed All-Ages* event.
Grab your tickets from - www.outfieldfestival.co.nz

(*Anyone under the age of 18 needs to be accompanied by parent or legal guardian.)

COVID-19 Financial Help Reminder

As we all head into another week of Level 4/Level 2 - here is a little reminder for all our members of what financial help is out there for your business and your artists business. This is whether you or they are self-employed, partnership, limited liability company etc

A third Wage Subsidy Scheme payment for eligible businesses has been announced and will open this Friday 17th September. This is because Auckland is remaining at Alert Level 4 (the Wage Subsidy Scheme is available to all businesses while any part of the country is in Alert Levels 3 or 4).

Businesses and self-employed people must expect a 40% drop in revenue to be eligible to receive the wage subsidy. 

The wage subsidy is paid in a 2 week lump sum. You can get:

• $600 per week for each full-time employee

• $359 per week for each part-time employee

A second round of the Resurgence Support Payment will also open for applications on Friday 17 September 2021. The COVID-19 Resurgence Support Payment helps to cover wages and fixed costs for businesses who have been directly affected when there is an increase to Alert Level 2 or higher for a week or more. 

To be eligible, your business must have experienced at least a 30% drop in revenue or a 30% decline in capital-raising ability over a 7-day period, due to an increase in Alert Levels.

• You can receive $1,500 per business plus $400 per full-time employee (FTE), up to 50 FTE.

• The maximum payment is $21,500.

• If you're a sole trader, you can receive a payment of up to $1,900.

Businesses anywhere in New Zealand can apply if they meet the eligibility criteria.

You can apply for both the COVID-19 Resurgence Support Payment and the COVID-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme if you meet all the eligible criteria..

This lockdown is really taking its toll on our wonderful industry and also on all of our mental wellbeing. Please remember that you, your crew and your artists are all eligible to use the MusicHelps Wellbeing Service for FREE. 

The Wellbeing Service offers free counselling sessions with trained counsellors available 24/7. You can contact them either on line at MusicHelps or via phone, toll free on 0508 MUSICHELPS

Te Reo Māori Waiata in Official Chart | Te Pōrutu o Nga Waiata Reo Māori I ngā Tūtohi Ōkawa

As we enter Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori | Māori Language Week, Te Reo Māori waiata have surged into Recorded Music’s Official New Zealand Music Charts | Te Papa Tātai Waiata Matua O Aotearoa.

As expected, the recently launched Top 10 Te Reo Māori Singles | Ngā Waiata Kairangi I Te Reo Māori o Te Rārangi 10 o Runga is filled with new waiata reo with iwa | nine fresh entries on the back of Waiata Anthems Week. The only survivor from last week is Six60’s Pepeha which still holds the top spot.

But Reo Māori is evident on every chart this week. The Hot 20 NZ Singles | Waiata Takitahi, Wera Rawa 20 o Aotearoa (essentially a ‘viral’ or ‘trending’ chart covering all platforms) includes 10 waiata reo and waiata rua reo, including wha | four of the tino takirima.

Ka Hao and Rob Ruha take out the kotahi | #1 position with their new track 35. It’s the fastest-rising local release of the last ra whitu | seven days, based on a combination of sales, streams and radio play. The Gisborne rangatahi collective's debut EP is out next week.

Te Reo is in play in the main Hot 40 Singles | Waiata Takitahi, Wera Rawa 40, even in a week with a brand new Drake album and the return of ABBA after a long absence. There are eight new Te Reo tracks in the 40, including two (Kao Hao and Sons Of Zion) in the tino tekau.

In the Official Top 20 NZ Albums | Kōpaki I Te Rārangi Kōpaki Motuhake 20 o Aotearoa LOOP’s Kono EP enters at #8 and Lorde’s new Te Ao Mārama EP lands at #9 (despite only being eligible for 24 hours). Both albums also enter the Official Top 40 Albums | Kōpaki I Te Rārangi Motuhake 40 o Runga at #24 and #27 respectively.

Digging into the data, Recorded Music NZ Chart Compiler Paul Kennedy says Te Reo Māori releases chalked up an amazing 1.3 million streams in New Zealand last week.

Of all the New Zealand music streamed on Spotify and Apple Music last week, waiata reo made up an all-time high 8.71%. It also accounted for nearly a third of all the New Zealand music sold as downloads this week.

The surge in the charts looks to continue this coming week too, with the release of a special physical edition of Six60's current chart-topper Pepeha and the arrival of the next round of new releases including new tracks from Moana And The Tribe, Stan Walker, Dave Dobbyn, Hamo Dell, Hollie Smith, Sianne, Kings, Theia and others.

The Official New Zealand Music Charts | Te Papa Tātai Waiata Matua O Aotearoa are released weekly and can be found here.

It’s all about THE MUSIC! SOLE rolls out the second event in their SPEAKER SERIES curated for local artists and upcoming music professionals.

With the help of the New Zealand Music Commission, SOLE Music Academy has curated a brand new music business seminar and mentoring series to support emerging Canterbury artists and upcoming music professionals. THE MUSIC is the second of 6 live music seminars, which are being held from 7-9pm at SOLE Music Academy Studio in Addington, Christchurch.

Each 2hr event has one specific topic and three of the country's leading music industry professionals who will cover everything you need to know about how to make and release your music successfully. Attendees are encouraged to come to all of the events and to make the most of the rare opportunity to book in 1:1 private mentoring sessions the following day. 

In this specific event, attendees will hear from 3 of New Zealand’s top songwriters and producers Devin Abrams (Shapeshifter, Drax Project & Pacific Heights), Will McGillivray (nomad, There’s a Tuesday & BEXY) & prolific songwriter and award winning artist, Mel Parsons.

Together they will delve into their process of how they create and produce music for themselves and other artists. They will also give attendees a better understanding of how to create a song that is release worthy and ensure you get more people listening to your music.

We have limited tickets for THE MUSIC only 40 due to the Level 2 regulations. We also have a very limited TICKET BUNDLE where you can go to all five events for only $50 and you receive a free merch bag!

More information and links to the events are here. Tickets only $15 +BF - 

THE MUSIC - September 20th - Tickets

THE IMAGE - October 4th - Tickets

THE BUSINESS - October 11th - Tickets

THE RELEASE - November 8th - Tickets

THE SHOW - November 29th - Tickets

SPECIAL TICKET BUNDLE - All 5 events for only $50 plus a merch bag worth $25 - Ticket

The first event was excellent and the mentoring sessions were all booked up straight after the event so get in quick and book before!

Waiata Maori Music Awards postponed, Waiata Māori Iconic Award recipients for 2021 announced

Kia ora koutou katoa. The organisers of the National Waiata Māori Music Awards have had to make the tough decision yet again to move the 2021 event online, with safety of the people being priority. He waka eke noa!

Announcing the Waiata Māori Iconic Award recipients 2021 and that WMMA will be going online!

Organisers of the National Waiata Māori Music Awards have had to make the tough decision yet again to move the 2021 event online, with safety of the people being a the priority.  

It comes after the Government announced Auckland will stay at alert level 4 for now while the rest of the country, south of Tāmaki will soon go to level 2. The awards event was due to be held on Friday 10th September in Hawke’s Bay. Traditionally, a large number of guests and finalists would come from all over Aotearoa, as well as some from overseas to celebrate our award recipients.  

This year we announce two of our iconic award recipients, former politician, educator and kapa haka exponent Tā Pita Sharples is this year’s recipient of the Waiata Māori Awards “Te Tohu Kaitiaki Tikanga Pūoru - Keeper of Tradition” iconic award. 

The award recognises Tā Pita’s lifelong contribution to the retention and promotion of traditional waiata, through not only education but also in his role establishing and leading Tāmaki based kapa haka Te Roopū Manutaki which he set up in 1968. 

Waiata Māori Awards executive director Ellison Huata says Tā Pita has shown tremendous leadership throughout the years and for over half a century has provided young urban Māori a haven to celebrate cultural identity. 

“To honour Tā Pita this year at the Waiata Māori Awards is a celebration of his dedication and love of all things Māori. Te Roopū Manutaki has given Aotearoa a wealth of iconic waiata Māori and his nomination was well supported.” 

Tā Pita of Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngai Te Kikiri o te Rangi and Ngāti Pahauwera was brought up in Waipawa and educated at Takapau Primary, Waipukurau District High School and Te Aute College. He led the establishment of intertribal marae Hoani Waititi in West Auckland and founded the country’s first kura kaupapa Māori in 1985.

Among his list of achievements includes the creation of the New Zealand National School of Māori Weaponry, the Race Relations Office Chief Executive Officer from 1972, 1980 and 2000, He Tohunga Toi Huarewa o Te Wānanga Whare Tapere o Takitimu, Māori Party co-leader from 2004 to 2013 and is a member of the Ngāti Kahungunu iwi Taumata.

Joining Tā Pita this year in receiving an iconic award is singer Che Fu who is the recipient of this year’s Te Tohu o te Ahumahi Pūoru - Music Industry Award which celebrates success and contribution to music. 

Che Fu, a founding member of the band Supergroove, rose to fame when he featured on DLT’s production of number one hit 'Chains'. As a solo artist, he has sold thousands of albums both in New Zealand and internationally. His first three studio albums received platinum and gold sales and produced hits that have become entrenched into New Zealand song history.

Che Fu is of Tainui and Ngāti Raukawa descent on his mother Miriama Rauhihi Ness’ side and Niuean on his father Tigilau Ness’ side, Che Fu is relentless in his dedication to taking music to the country. 

Ellison Huata says recognising Che and Tā Pita’s contribution to Māori music is a wonderful end to Māori Music Month. There will still be an awards event for 2021, to acknowledge all recipients but there will be an online version, to be held at the later date of October 9. 

“We plan to run it as an online, virtual event but still have a presence at Toitoi - Hawke's Bay Arts & Events Centre, the venue where we planned to run the awards event this year.” 

Ellison said it would be a mixture of pre-recorded material and live performances for the virtual event which will be streamed online. 

“We know a lot of people will be disappointed, we wanted this year’s awards event to be a  positive way to bring people through the challenges of 2020 & 2021. We still want people to tune in to watch this year’s awards event, to recognise and celebrate the achievements of our Māori singers, songwriters and performers."