818

💓 | PREMIERE EVENT

To celebrate the launch of the new Prime Original series, Event Cinemas Newmarket’s Boutique Lounge was made pink in an Elle Woods-approved screening where media, creators and guests gathered for an exclusive first look at the series first two episodes.

Inspired by the iconic world of Legally Blonde, Elle jumps back in time to Elle Woods high school days in ‘95, sharing a new chapter of the beloved characters fabulous story.

The series streams tonight, July 1 on Prime Video, with all 8 episodes available to binge - so tune in, duh!

🤍 | JUST RELEASED!

Rising Tairāwhiti singer-songwriter Salem Māhia has unveiled the official music video for his single A Girl Named Abigail, transforming one of his most personal songs into a powerful visual tribute.

Originally released in 2025 after Salem won the Play It Strange Junior Songwriting Competition with the track, A Girl Named Abigail was recorded live at Joel Little's Big Fan studio with producer and audio engineer Noema Te Hau III. The song reflects on the loss of Salem's aunt Keri, who passed away from cancer when he was just four years old.

Now, receiving NZ On Air funding for the single, the 17-year-old artist has brought the song's emotional story to the screen.

🎬 | Watch the music video for “A Girl Named Abigail” on YouTube now.

🎵 | JUST ANNOUNCED!

Arriving just over a year after their last release, ‘Fragile World’ marks a striking shift in tone and energy for The Veils.

Recorded live to tape in New Zealand by Paddy Hill, with production by Tom Healy (Tiny Ruins, The Chills, Folk Bitch Trio), ‘Fragile World' captures The Veils in an urgent and instinctive mode.�
With its immediacy, intensity, and emotional clarity, ‘Fragile World’ stands as one of The Veils’ most compelling releases to date.�
🎧 | Listen to ‘Fragile World’ on all streaming platforms now!

🏆 | JUST ANNOUNCED!

After receiving 171 original song entries from secondary school students across Aotearoa, Play It Strange is thrilled to announce the winners and finalists of the 2026 Peace Project.

Taking out first place this year is Cameron Beattie from Long Bay College for his song ‘The Sun On The Hill’. A multiple-time Play It Strange finalist, this marks Cameron’s first competition win.

On winning the competition, Cameron says: “I am so honoured to win the Peace Project songwriting competition. To be recognised by some of Aotearoa’s top artists is such an incredible feeling and I am so grateful to them. All of the Play It Strange team have been so awesome and the opportunities they have provided me and so many others over the years means so much and I am forever thankful to them. I can’t wait for everyone to hear ‘Sun On The Hill’ alongside the amazing songs from all the finalists this year.”

Cameron receives a prize package including a 1:1 mentoring session with a competition judge, a $500 MusicWorks voucher, a JBL Bandbox Trio valued at $899, an artist development session with SOLE Music Academy founder Sacha Vee, a radio interview and airplay on 95bFM, a performance slot at the Play It Strange Annual Showcase, artist workshops held in the lead-up to the showcase, and a quartet backing arrangement with Auckland Philharmonia’s Aspiring Musicians. Composer James Cullen, who will work with Cameron to curate the backing arrangement as part of his prize, says: “The Sun On The Hill is a fantastic song. I am very excited to start the process– and am looking forward to working with him!”

Second place was awarded to Earl Legasto and Lucy Singleton for their song ‘overgrown garden’, receiving a $300 MusicWorks voucher, while third place went to Salem Māhia for ‘A Song About Flowers’, receiving a $200 MusicWorks voucher. Earl, Lucy and Salem are both also multiple-time Play It Strange competition finalists.

This year’s Peace Project was judged by pop powerhouse Paige, genre-blending neo-soul artist Jordyn with a Why, internationally acclaimed soul singer Deva Mahal, award-winning rapper and producer Tom Scott, and Play It Strange founder Mike Chunn.

🗣️ | GOOD NEWS!

Tofiga Fepulea’i, the Humble King of Comedy has announced live shows round the motu for 2026 in his new hour of comedy Fresh Since Ages Ago, coming to Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton and Tauranga this August.

Tofiga, known for his decades-long career of cracking up generations of audiences, is bringing back beloved characters Aunty Tala, Uncle Sam, Master Tavita to the stage. Even more exciting - online comedy superstar Laban Miller is joining him too!

The tour will visit the Addison Theatre at Baycourt in Tauranga, the Isaac Theatre Royal in Christchurch, Te Paepae Theatre at the New Zealand International Convention Centre in Auckland, The Opera House in Wellington, and Clarence St Theatre in Hamilton.

🎫 Tickets to all shows are on sale now via TAPLiveEvents.com

🎸 | JUST ANNOUNCED!

Live Nation has announced today that iconic rock band Evanescence will make a welcome return to New Zealand in March 2027. Responsible for one of the world’s most iconic and successful debut albums, Fallen, featuring defining singles like “Bring Me to Life,” “Going Under,” and “My Immortal”, Evanescence will take fans through a vast array of material, from this debut long-player through to the just-released album, Sanctuary, which features the global hits, “Afterlife” and “Who Will You Follow.”

Evanescence will head to New Zealand for an exclusive show at Auckland’s Spark Arena on Saturday 20 March.

🎟️ | Tickets are available from on Friday 12 June at 1:00pm.