SPACIFIC NEWS #171: Contents
1. The Pacific Tavern :: Grace Kelly
2. Islington Assembly Hall :: NO CIGAR
3. Colours :: Deva Mahal
4. Islington Assembly Hall :: Avantdale Bowling Club
5. The Water Rats :: Jon Toogood
6. Upcoming Concerts by New Zealand artists in London
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THE PACIFIC TAVERN :: GRACE KELLY :: 16/10/24
Delighted to welcome to London the Manchester-based, Aotearoa-born Grace Kelly for a show at The Pacific Tavern.
Chasing music success as an independent artist, Grace booked a one-way ticket to England in 2022 and left behind her family, friends and music collaborators, her heartbreak and homesickness fuelling new songs and opportunities. Her most recent release, Table for One, is a collection of tracks that were written over the last year while she navigated a breakup and settled into a new life, and dance between pop and country, creating something modern and vulnerable.
Free entry all night.
From: 7pm
At: 100 Redriff Road, SE16 7LH
Nearest Tube: Surrey Quays
Venue website: pacifictavern.co.uk/
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ISLINGTON ASSEMBLY HALL :: NO CIGAR :: 31/10/24
This show has sold out.
From: 7pm
At: Upper Street, N1 2UD
Nearest Tube: Highbury and Islington
Venue website: islingtonassemblyhall.co.uk/
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COLOURS :: DEVA MAHAL :: 14/11/24
A rare combination of masterful songwriting and breathtaking vocal talent, Deva Mahal was born with blues in her blood.
Brought up in Hawaii, Deva Mahal moved to Aotearoa in the early 2000s and quickly became part of a scene of local musicians who used their love of jazz, soul, funk, reggae, dub and hip-hop to emerge from the underground into the national arena. As well as writing her own material, Deva lent her voice to Fat Freddy’s ‘Wandering Eye‘ and “Sola Rosa’s ‘Redeemer‘, and collaborated with Recloose, Hollie Smith and more.
Deva has spent the last few years delving deeper into her craft as a composer as well as cultivating her skills as a producer, alongside Christchurch born, Chris Wethey. Mahal’s most recent project, “Future Classic: Vol 1”, passionately channelled into her music the staggering heartbreak of the current racial violence and political injustices of her country of origin, the eternal endeavour to search for true love and self-worth, and her emboldened sense of the sensuality, softness and power as a black woman.
Tickets start at £15 + b/f from Ticketweb or Dice.
From: 7.30pm
At: 2-4 Hoxton Square, N1 6NU
Nearest Tube: Old Street
Venue website: colourshoxton.com/
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ISLINGTON ASSEMBLY HALL :: AVANTDALE BOWLING CLUB :: 15/11/24
Following on from last year”s three sold out shows, Avantdale Bowling Club return this November.
Helmed by Tom Scott, one of the most compelling figures to emerge from the New Zealand music scene over the last seventeen years, over the course of two albums Avantdale Bowling Club present a vivid intermingling of jazz, soul, hip-hop and electronica. Written from a working class perspective at the bottom of the globe, Scott’s lyrics explore the day-to-day realities of life lived on the margins of society.
Sad and celebratory in equal measure, Avantdale Bowling Club has been lauded by NPR, Refuge Worldwide and Radio New Zealand. The debut release won the coveted Album of the Year and best Hip-Hop artist at the Aotearoa Music Awards followed by Independent Music NZ’s Taite Music Prize for best album release. At the end of 2022 the follow-up “Trees” debuted at number 1 on the NZ album charts.
Raised on jazz, soul, funk and rap, Scott has honed his skills as a rapper, songwriter and bandleader through membership in several cult groups (@Peace, Average Rap Band). He first emerged in 2007 with Home Brew, a band that has recently returned to the touring circuit and the top of the NZ charts with an unexpected second album, “Run It Back“. Scott’s other projects, and his burgeoning Years Gone By label, ensure that he continues to influence and push boundaries across genres.
Support on the night comes from rising soul star Olympia Vitalis
Tickets are £20 + b/f + £1.20 restoration levy from See Tickets or Dice.
From: 7pm
At: Upper Street, N1 2UD
Nearest Tube: Highbury and Islington
Venue website: islingtonassemblyhall.co.uk/
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THE WATER RATS :: JON TOOGOOD :: 28/11//24
As Shihad‘s high profile founding frontman and leader of The Adults supergroup, Jon Toogood has spent 30 years at the forefront of Aotearoa’s music scene, writing, singing, performing, mentoring, managing, directing, producing, DJing, programming and promoting — all with enormous energy and humanity.
Since forming Shihad in 1988, Jon has weathered fame, fortune and drama as the band became one of the most respected rock groups in the Southern Hemisphere, and New Zealand’s most successful heavy rock export. As part of that journey, Jon holds the record in NZ for the most #1 albums by a NZ artist (5) and the most singles in the NZ charts (25).
2024 sees the release of his debut solo venture, with first single ‘Last Of The Lonely Gods‘ serving as an introduction to the forthcoming album – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CO6S–Wwiy4
Support on the night comes from the amazing Kylie Price
TIckets are £15 + b/f from DICE or SEE Tickets
From: 7pm
At: 328 Gray”s Inn Road, WC1X 8BZ
Nearest Tube: Kings Cross
Venue website: thewaterratsvenue.london/
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UPCOMING CONCERTS BY NEW ZEALAND ARTISTS IN LONDON (details correct at time of sending)
04/10 Jordan Rakei // Royal Albert Hall, SW7 2AP // 6.30-11 // £12.50-60
06/10 Polite Company // The Betsey Trotwood, EC1R 3BL // 3-9.30 // £10
11/10 Crowded House // The O2, SE10 0DX // 6.30-11 // £35-75
19/10 Chaos in the CBD // Roundhouse, NW1 // 4-11 // £27.50-30
21/10 Ulcerate // Garage, N5 1RD // 7-11 // £22-25
We track upcoming concerts by New Zealand artists in London using Songkick – if we have missed any, please email us at kiaora@spacific.net so that we can include the details in future mailouts.
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Spacific :: PO Box 14988, London SW6 2WL, UK :: kiaora@spacific.net