Music Commission News

Gig Starters, The Jam Factory, and The Breeze present: a free hui and all-ages event on ĀPŌPŌ TOMORROW Thursday the 6th of June!

Following on from NZ Music Month, Gig Starters is coming to The Jam Factory in Tauranga, hosting a panel of knowledgeable music industry professionals and taking a deep dive into the ins and outs of running a successful gig! After our hui we’ll have some kai and get into an interactive soundcheck, making sure everything is ready to go for the free all-ages gig featuring BlacknWhite and Paul & Holly!

Check out our event outline below:

PANELISTS | Fraser Browne, Ria Hall and Marama Mateparae

With over a couple of decades in the industry, Fraser Browne says this is a key time “to look at how, why and where we gig”, and consider how the live music landscape has changed over recent years. Fraser has toured and gigged across New Zealand many times, mainly with his folk act Paper Cranes. As a folk act, touring is a staple and they took their act to small, intimate venues, but also regularly played festivals as well. Fraser has recently moved into music education, music production, as well as artist development, and currently manages Paper Cranes and new artist Eli Banks.

Growing up in Maungatapu, Tauranga, Ria Hall discovered her passion for music at a young age by joining the church choir located at her marae. Throughout her schooling and into adulthood, kapahaka played a central role in her life, culminating in performances with Waka Huia. It was through kapahaka that she realized her talent as a vocalist, eventually becoming a reorua singer. With her unique blend of hip hop rhythms and intricate vocal harmonies in both English and Te Reo Māori, she garnered acclaim and awards, crafting a sonic landscape that defied traditional genre boundaries while embracing them.

Marama Mateparae has been in the promo biz for longer than she cares for others to remember. From filming national TV ads in Wellington’s back street alley’s to half time breaks at All Black games, she’s The Incubator Creative Hub’s go-to person for event and gig management, and for finding an audience when you didn’t think there was one. Her days of singing in dingy London pubs may be long gone, but she still loves good music in whatever genre it comes in.

ARTISTS | Black n White and Paul & Holly

Black n White is a local band of first year Toi-Ohomai students, formed out of pure enthusiasm for a blues/reggae sound, deriving inspiration from bands such as LAB and 1814. The band has a common goal of playing at big festivals, like One Love. With new and original music to soothe the soul.

Singer-songwriter Holly Weston is an emerging artist whose music channels the raw emotion of grunge and the allure of the macabre. Performing with creative collaborator Paulie, Weston blends grunge grit with pop sensibilities, and is unapologetically herself!

SOUND TECH | Bret Williams

Bret Williams is the Jam Factory’s sound technician extraordinaire. He’s loved by bands throughout the motu for providing them with a consistent killer sound mix. He’ll smooth out rough edges or ramp them up if that’s your vibe. As a songwriter, musician and sound tech, Bret’s advice to new bands is simple: “Buy the most pro-sounding gear you can afford, then the sound you make is like a pro made it”.

VENUE | Jam Factory

The Jam Factory is the coolest little gig venue in town. Bands love the 50-seat venue for the intimate, funky, and cosy space, and for the team who are committed to building social connections and cultural diversity through music. Musicians from all over the world (and the country) often claim this venue as one of their all-time favourites.

Gig Starters is an initiative run by the NZ Music Commission to inspire and upskill new gig promoters to put on gigs of their own all around Aotearoa.

All are welcome to attend, and it’s free entry! Just make sure to RSVP at https://airtable.com/appPM3AHTZ1oWWenW/shrAFbf5Q5sBreosL before 5PM TODAY to lock in your spot.

This event has been made possible with help from the NZ Music Commission, APRA AMCOS, The Jam Factory, The Incubator, and The Breeze.