What a pleasure to be writing this and looking out to a clear blue sky.

It seems to have been raining for ever. Not that I mind the rain. I grew up reading Philip Larkin and rain in his poems always symbolised fertility and all sorts of good stuff. I try to remind myself of that during these soggy times.

But the rain has – at least temporarily – stopped, sunlight is peaking through, next weekend marks the ‘official' start of spring, and before we know it daylight saving will be upon us and it'll all be lazy and hazy.

Looking a little later in the year, there are some exciting acts already lined up to head this way.

I've already mentioned that award-winning country singer Tammi Neilson will be coming to the Katikati Folk Club. There's also the Classic Hits Acoustic Church Tour, which will be rolling into town in October with the rather splendid line-up of Anika Moa, Boh Runga and Hollie Smith, while at the end of September (Friday 28 to be precise) swing favourites Hot Club Sandwich are lining up a date at Mills Reef along with local blues cats Kokomo.

And there are a couple of gigs next weekend which may be of interest. Problem is that they're on the same night (Friday 31) so you'll have to make a choice. Ain't that always the way…

Actually, you probably could do both of them because the show arranged by Tauranga's Acoustic Music Club starts at 7.30pm. It's down at the Historic Village in the hall and features one of New Zealand's musical treasures, the inimitable Shona Laing.

There are few New Zealand singer/songwriters who really fit into the category of that much-overused term ‘iconic' but, along with Dave Dobbyn, that McGlashan fellow and a Finn or two, Shona is definitely on the list.

I could remind you of the songs: '1905”, 'Soviet Snow”, 'Neutral and Nuclear Free” (I don't know if everyone knows she wrote that one – it seems more like a song that just ‘exists'), and of course that ditty about the fortunate, unfortunate American political dynasty. They would be good enough reason to check out the gig. But there's also the fact that, although she seldom plays live these days, Shona is a dynamite performer.

Seeing her on a good night you really get it: these people aren't called Kiwi icons just because of luck or longevity – it's because they really are that good. She has a hypnotic charisma on stage, a poise, a control, whatever it is, that just shines through.

I don't know exactly what she'll be playing this time around, perhaps material from her 2007 album Pass The Whisper, a beautiful piece of work that was recorded right here at Whakamarama's Boatshed Studio and delved musically into both Celtic and Maori roots. She's not short of a song or two. Tickets for the Historic Village are $15 on the door.

And across town on the same night at Mount Maunganui's Brewer's Bar you can celebrate the launch of the debut album from Shejus Greedy. Some of you might have caught the band's regular slot at the Welcome Bay Tavern and if you haven't there are many treats in store for lovers of high voltage funky blues.

The four-piece are made up of the singing frontline of Delayne Ututaonga and Grant Haua. Grant also provides his trademark guitar, while the not-at-all-shabby rhythm section comprises drummer Micky Ututaonga and Rob Paterson, a pair of musical legends in the Bay, where they have been laying down immaculate grooves since their time in Rotorua band Cairo in the eighties.

I've got a copy of Shejus Greedy's new album, Natural World, and will be reviewing it shortly. In the meantime you can check them out live on Friday 31. As I write this there is a little confusion on Facebook as the gig has been listed for both 30 and 31 in various places. It's on 31, though there are no details yet of which support bands are likely to be included on the bill.

If you need a little late night funk to pick you up after Shona's acoustic workout then you couldn't ask for more.