There’s a lot coming up in the next fortnight: we’ll start by going back to school.
Not really, since the Tauranga Boys’ College’s Big Band Fundraising Tea Dance isn’t actually at Tauranga Boys’ College.
But you get the idea...
This is an event in service of a good cause. Money is being raised for the TBC Big Band to travel to Wellington in September, where they will take part in the MusicWorks Ensemble Festival Aotearoa. Then a few days later they compete in the Jazz Band-it Finals as part of the Essential NZ Jazz Band Competition.
If that sounds like a worthwhile reason to shell out $30, or if you just want to check out some jazz, head to the Tauranga Citizens’ Club by 5.30pm on Sunday, August 27, for the TBC Big Band along with smooth sounds from the newly-formed JT Jazz Orchestra, an ensemble comprising some of Tauranga’s top jazz musicians.
As a special treat, singer Tomika Whiu will also feature.
The man in charge of TBC music, Joe Thomas, says that the Big Band need your support to make their dream of representing Tauranga in Wellington a reality. I’m happy to pass on the message. Advance tickets are available from:
www.tbc.school.nz/etickets/big-band-tea-dance
The Entertainers Club
As it happens I have other news about the Citz Club, which is that after a several month hiatus The Entertainers Club is springing back into action again there from October 8, when they have one of several current Eagles tribute bands playing.
This one is named Motel California, has a 10-year history and promises a three-hour show of all the hits. The Entertainers Club is a non-profit club run by volunteers so it’s nice to have them back!
Meanwhile, next week Friday, August 25, sees Baycourt Theatre welcome the first of what I’m guessing will be a run of David Bowie tribute acts. This is Bowie, a group of highly-regarded Auckland musicians led by singer Bill Angus, who was in town not too many months back at the Jam Factory in his more regular folk guise. They are a seven-piece band and promise an all-singing, all-dancing David Bowie experience, if not a plethora of costume changes.
“To go for the most authenticity, Bowie Bowie is a ‘sound-alike’ outfit,” says Bill. “Rather than a ‘men in wigs’ experience, we focus on replicating the sound of the original recordings and specific live performances, costumed in Bowie’s later stylish gear.”
Tickets are $72 for adults with various concessions, down to $42.50 for children aged 10-14.
Loserpalooza
And on to Loserpalooza, coming up on Saturday, September 2, at Totara Street. This is Tauranga’s annual celebration of hardcore and generally extreme alternative music. This year’s event – 24 bands, two stages, 12 hours – is an all-Tauranga Loserpalooza for the first time, which really shows that probably the most vibrant music scene in Tauranga is the alternative one.
But this is more than just a festival.
Since 2018, Loserpalooza’s musicians have worked tirelessly to help raise money for Lifeline’s efforts in developing suicide awareness and prevention through their helpline. They have raised nearly $20,000 during the five years.
Amongst the musical insanity, here are some potential highlights: metal masters Abysm has an international support slot under their belt (Blood Incantation), and with two members now based in Wellington, has recently released a new EP ‘Nuroses’. Also with an international support slot on their CV (Guitar Wolf) is veteran post-punk outfit Stunt Clown, infamous for their AI-created music videos and featuring members of noted Tauranga bands Brilleaux, DIC, The Southern Diplomats, Eternal Sea and more.
And I’m delighted to say that in this testosterone-fuelled environment there’s an all-female band.
Tactical Chunny has broken through in emo punk territory with singer Holly Julian skating between screaming, shouting and the sweetest of melodies.
Loserpalooza runs from 12pm-1am, koha entry: give what you can with all proceeds going to Lifeline Aotearoa. Here’re the rest of the bands: Two Skinner, Park Flyers, Six Two’s, bloody overalls, Eddie and the Dreamers, Hoick, KINGFISH, Bits, Angry Papamoans, Threat.Meet.Protocol, Skronk, Carrion Bride, False Waltons, Hemordroid, We Will Ride Fast, Lethargic, Thy End Cometh, Club Meds, This Is How We Die, YdoublerR.