Before the BIGSOUND behemoth rolls into Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley next week, the Australasian music industry turns its attention to Aotearoa’s version, Going Global.
On Thursday, August 29th and Friday, August 30th, the Going Global Music Summit will gather key industry experts – think booking agents, publicists, artist managers, and more – for a slew of panel discussions and keynote speeches that will hopefully prove to be, for those in attendance, illuminating and educational.
On Thursday and Friday evening, though, the chatting ends, and the artists take over.
This year’s Going Global Artist Showcase is a little different, taking place at Auckland’s newest venue (sort of) Double Whammy!, but it’s more of the same on the music front, with a collection of New Zealand’s most promising up-and-coming acts promoting their sound and style in back-to-back 20-minute sets.
Most of the showcasing artists will already be familiar to Rolling Stone AU/NZ readers, from rising post-punk bands Ringlets and Soft Bait to future hip-hop star Jujulipps to alt-country singer-songwriter Holly Arrowsmith, but we decided to take a closer look at six artists to see at Going Global 2024, which you can check out below.
Going Global Artist Showcase runs Thursday, August 29th & Friday, August 30th at Auckland’s Whammy! & Double Whammy! (timetable to be announced). Tickets on sale now from undertheradar.co.nz
Casual Healing
Casual Healing is Wellington-based aritst Nikau Te Huki’s solo project, and his sublime debut album Driftwood, released in April, quickly earned a spot on Rolling Stone AU/NZ’s Best New Zealand Albums of 2024 So Far list.
Te Huki effortlessly moves between soulful crooning, smooth R&B, tender indie-folk, and moments of rap and reggae. Let his tunes take you away from Auckland’s winter to somewhere sunny.
Dateline
Led by Pōneke-based singer-songwriter Katie Everingham, Dateline is a 2024 Silver Scroll finalist and local favourite. They’re gearing up for their second album, It’s All Downhill From Here, out on September 5th. Expect fresh tracks and catchy tunes like their new single “Be Good,” which you’ll be humming in your Uber on the way home from K’ Road.
Erny Belle
If you missed Erny Belle’s sold-out show at Frieda’s last month, you’re in luck. The Ngāpuhi singer-songwriter will be at Going Global, performing from her Taite Music Prize-nominated album Not Your Cupid, which topped Rolling Stone AU/NZ’s Best New Zealand Albums of 2023 list. She’s also featured on tracks like “Earnestly” with Marlin’s Dreaming – maybe you’ll catch a surprise duet?
Borderline
This Tāmaki Makaurau teen band have been making waves with their debut EP Perfect Movie Scene. Their indie-pop tracks, especially “Divine,” are festival-ready. After opening for ZED and Drax Project and having their own headline show, Borderline look set for big things and promise a fun, feel-good listen.
Brandn Shiraz
Brandn Shiraz is one of the most promising rising stars in Tāmaki Makaurau’s hip-hop scene. His high-energy style and smooth transitions between hip-hop, reggae, and Afrobeats showcase his Cook Island heritage. He’s definitely one to watch, alongside other Auckland hip-hop talents like WHO SHOT SCOTT and Jujulipps.
Dick Move
Finally, Dick Move’s punk sound was honed at Whammy Bar, making their live show there a fitting homecoming. Fresh from a 22-date European tour with “big fat hearts and big ol’ bellies (cheese),” they’re ready to bring their signature raucous energy back to Auckland.
Look out for tracks from their 2023 album Wet, which topped the IMNZ album chart and made it into the top ten of Rolling Stone AU/NZ’s Best New Zealand Albums of 2023 list.
