Clara La San, Descendents, Kara & Neil Diamond Announce NZ Tours

The past week has delivered a flurry of exciting tour announcements that will see a diverse mix of international and local talent taking to stages across the country.

Leading the charge is bedroom producer Clara La San, who is set to bring her minimal R&B sound to The Tuning Fork in Auckland. Following her breakout collaborations, fans are eager to see her translate those caramel-smooth vocals to a live setting. On the other end of the spectrum, punk royalty Descendents have confirmed a date at Wellington’s Meow Nui. Having defined the hardcore scene for decades, their arrival is a major win for the local punk community.

Not to be outdone, K-pop favourites Kara will perform at Whangārei’s ONEONESIX, while a rare appearance by Neil Diamond at the Arrowtown Athenaeum Hall offers a treat for classic rock enthusiasts.

The schedule is rounded out by a variety of acts hitting venues nationwide:

• Balu Brigada are set for an energetic set at Auckland's Powerstation.
• Saint Levant and Chanel Beads bring their experimental flair to Wellington.
• Heavy metal fans can catch Origin at Valhalla or Churchills, while More will play in Te Awamutu.
• Lydia Lunch brings her avant-garde spoken word to Wellington, alongside a performance from Food.
• YIN YIN will tour their psychedelic disco sound through Wellington and Auckland later in the year.

While tribute acts like Rolling in the Deep and various generic cover projects often fill local pubs, this week's news is dominated by original artists. Whether it is the synth-pop legacy of Gary Numan and Simple Minds at Spark Arena or the raw garage energy of Rum Jungle, there is plenty to look forward to on the gig calendar. Be sure to check venue listings as many of these shows have already started drawing significant interest.