Revival: A History of The Drag Scene of Ōtepoti

Posted 7:39pm Sunday 25th August 2024

There’s been a drag revolution in Ōtepoti this year. The revitalised queer scene has been spearheaded by Ōtepoti Drag Directory founder Ann Arkii, who has firmly established herself as Dunedin’s queen of drag. Earlier this year, Ann Arkii was quoted in a Local Produce column Read more...

Local Produce: RISK

Posted 7:32pm Sunday 25th August 2024

RISK (he/him) is one of the hottest techno/hardgrove DJs to pop out of Dunedin this year. Already, RISK (real name Angus) has been stacking up on an impressive resume, regularly playing at Carousel, U-Bar and snagging a Radio 1 Live to Air boiler room style set. Critic Te Ārohi caught up with Read more...

Purple Dog Crowned Bring the Noise Winners

Posted 7:13pm Sunday 25th August 2024

The Bring the Noise finals were held at U-Bar on Friday, 16 August. Six bands competed but only one came out on top. The winners were the indie rock band Purple Dog who have seen a surge in popularity this year, playing multiple Pint Nights, featuring in a Critic article (the highest praise) and Read more...

Local Produce: The Daze

Posted 5:38pm Saturday 17th August 2024

The Daze have been making music for over two years and are continuing to make noise in Dunedin’s music scene. Formed in their hall in first-year, the band’s made up of Sam (he/him) on guitar and vocals, Ollie (he/him) on drums, Vere (he/him) on bass and vocals, and Alex (he/him) on Read more...

Local Produce: DJ Bax

Posted 11:38pm Saturday 10th August 2024

DJ Bax is one of the most exciting and revolutionary DJs in Dunedin’s electronic scene. Known for the signature DONK sound and having a great ear for remixes (as well as being the guitarist for Leo Lilley), over the past year his influence has been unprecedented. He’s been involved with Read more...

Ōtepoti Venue Guide

Posted 3:49pm Sunday 4th August 2024

Many a night, students turn to the tried and true options of a good time. You either end up at Subs (again) or stay at home watching 123Movies because you don’t have Disney+ (again). Sure, these are the staples of a Saturday night for a reason, but going to live music gigs can be just as fun, Read more...

Local Produce: DeadBeat Blondes

Posted 3:16pm Sunday 4th August 2024

DeadBeat Blondes are a brand new rock band often seen down in U-Bar. The band is made up of members AJ Keable (she/her), who is the lead singer and guitarist, Salani Shaw (she/her) on bass, Sam Flanagan (he/him) on guitar and Alfie Buxton (he/him) on drums. They brought Sam’s dog (also called Read more...

Dunedin Sound Icon Martin Phillipps Dies at 61

Posted 2:59pm Sunday 4th August 2024

Martin Phillipps, lead singer and songwriter of legendary Dunedin band The Chills, died unexpectedly on Sunday, July 29th. Revered as an icon for crafting the legendary New Zealand anthem ‘Pink Frost’, the singer was a beloved local figure. At age 15, Phillipps began his music career Read more...

Does Ōtepoti Have Pride in its Gender Queer Musicians?

Posted 2:28pm Sunday 4th August 2024

The Dunedin music scene has been vibrant since the early 1980s. Vibrant, but not diverse. Until the past couple of years, most bands and solo artists have been cis men playing post punk and surf rock. This has led to a lot of gigs in Dunedin full of cis men, either on the bill or in the crowd. So Read more...

Local Produce: Leo Lilley

Posted 8:38pm Sunday 28th July 2024

As the poncho-wearing frontman of his own band, Leo Lilley is one of the most beloved artists in the Ōtepoti music scene. Playing at parties since his first year of uni, his solo material and classic covers of The Clash and Car Seat Headrest gets the crowd jumping. Critic Te Ārohi had a Read more...