Happy New Year! And if you have the post-holiday blues, never fear, there are some fantastic summer shows over the next few weeks to cheer you up...

International and Industry Action
The Big Day Out has announced a partnership with C3 Presents, the US-based promoter of Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits Music Festival. This is an innovative move by Big Day Out founder Ken West which establishes a massive platform for the festival's expansion. Austin City Limits Music Festival and Lollapalooza each draw more than 200,000 people annually, and Lollapalooza has recently expanded into Latin America.
Learn more about the Big Day Out and its vast history here:  http://bigdayout.com/vault/

New release fanfare
Rackets formed in 2009, perfect chemistry was formed when Oscar Davies-Kay and Vince Nairn invited fellow man-about-town Jeremy Potts to jam along. After the success of the 2 previous releases the latest chapter of the Rackets saga was birthed out of a relationship with Levi Beamish of Chrysalis Films. The idea was to shoot six music videos forming one grand narrative and creating the most hype by stretching it out over a 2 month period. These 6 videos spurned 6 seven-inch pressings… now all conveniently compiled on the very obviously titled full-length CD: Rackets.


On the live front
Cobra Khan will be playing the Auckland leg of a two date NZ tour with local pioneers of big instrumental rock, Kerretta, who have announced they will play two New Zealand shows before heading off for an extensive tour of Europe in February/March of 2012. Kerretta will play Wellington’s Mighty Mighty on January 21st with Force Fields and Auckland’s Kings Arms Tavern on January 28th with Cobra Khan.  Nikau Rhythm have announced the line up for their fifth annual ‘Anniversary Weekend Show’ at the Coroglen Tavern in the Coromandel: on January 28th 2012 be set to have your mind blown by some of the biggest Drum & Bass and Dubstep artists New Zealand has to offer. Iconic D&B act Concord Dawn return from Europe to play this special fifth-year anniversary. After having a huge year in 2011, D&B duo State of Mind and Dubstep juggernaut Bulletproof will both bring their unique live set to the Coroglen Tavern. Incognito and MC Rugged Tekniques join them to round out this epic line-up. I Am Giant have to returned to NZ for their biggest national tour to date. oining them on most of the dates are the electrifying powerhouse that is Cairo Knife Fight. CNF who released their second EP “II” via Liberation Music in August 2011, is comprised of drummer / lead vocalist Nick Gaffaney and
Aaron Tokona on guitar. Together, this potent pair issues forth pulsating guitar riffs illuminated with haunting vocals and phantasmal effects which have taken the stage alongside Foo Fighters, Them Crooked Vultures and Queens of The Stone Age.
Tickets on sale now from NZ Tix www.nztix.co.nz <http://www.nztix.co.nz> and Selected Venues

Knights of the Dub Table are set to hit 6 cities in 3 weekends for the official tour of their recently released debut album ‘Way of the Dub’. The tour will kick start in the bands hometown of Hamilton on the 3rd of February in the bar which they deem the birthplace of the band, the legendary Flow Bar. Knights of the DUB Table will be supported by a variety of talented kiwi artists throughout their month on the road, including Tui Soundsystem, Kingshifta, Soul Society and DJ Briggsy. http://knightsofthedubtable.com

Wildly popular music-comedy sensation The Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra is back on the road this summer with its newest record, “I Love You…”, another serving of infectious, ukulele-infused hit songs. Led by Age Pryor (Fly My Pretties, Woolshed Sessions), the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra formed six years ago at a tiny café in Wellington and has since become a cult favourite, causing a mad scramble for tickets wherever it goes. All ticketing and tour info is at: www.ukulele.co.nz
The Big Day Out presents a Big Night In with Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Ghost Wave and She’s So Rad at the King’s Arms on Thursday 19 January. Tickets on sale now from www.undertheradar.co.nz and Real Groovy.