Music Plus with Winston Watusi watusi@thesun.co.nz

I often wonder about people reading this column. That’s you, obviously. 

Mainly I wonder what you want to read about? Today the plan is to revisit Loserpalooza, the Lifeline fundraiser and celebration of alternative music taking place with 24 local bands across 12 hours at Totara Street on September 7. 

But is that what you want to read about? How many of you might go? Do people into alternative music even read The Weekend Sun? Honestly, I haven’t a clue. 

I note that in September ‘Les Miserables’ is being staged for 17 performances at Baycourt, which is reason to celebrate given the show’s agonising journey through Covid cancellations.

Talismer. Photo: supplied.

That’s a potential audience of more than 10,000 people; probably Tauranga’s most popular musical event in 2024. A different league of popularity than Loserpalooza. Would you prefer to read about that? 

Or compare that with, say, Kokomo, a popular local band. They’re launching a new album, ‘Futura’, at the Jam Factory – not with 17 shows but two, the weekend of September 14-15. These shows promise to be a whole bunch of fun, with music, video, and all sorts of exciting staging, something to remember. 

Two Skinner. Photo: supplied.

You’ve got to jam! 

But two nights at the Jam Factory is around 100 people. A mere one per cent of Les Mis. Which would you prefer to read about? 

Just as an aside...I keep meeting people who’ve never been to a gig at the Jam Factory, possibly because it’s a bit off the beaten track, at the Historic Village. You are missing out! The Jam Factory is a warm comfortable venue with convenient parking, terrific acoustics and a great intimate vibe. There are genuinely few better places to hear music in Tauranga. 

Bloody Overalls. Photo: supplied.

Okay. Loserpalooza. In its seventh year, with literally hundreds of bands having played, the festival has raised more than $20,000 for Lifeline Aotearoa. It is an event of wild fun and general chaos, a kaleidoscope of music and people. 

Young and old alike

If you think it’s solely a festival for young people, remember, like every musical genre, alternative music knows no age limit. There are musicians in their 60s – the original punk bands are nearly half a century old – in their 50s, 40s, the full gamut, right down to Bloody Overalls, noisy purveyors of grunge-metal from Ōtūmoetai College, already seasoned pros after opening for bands such as Jacob and Midwave Breaks. 

Grown Downz. Photo: supplied.

In a different vein there’s Skonk, a trio more in the tradition of the Cure, Echo And The Bunnymen and other goth post-punk bands. Or a little skate-punk from the Mount’s Six Two's, improvisational explorations from Club Meds, plus everything from approachable indie rock to hardcore punk. Something for everyone. As a lover of band names, here are the rest... 

Stunt Clown. Photo: supplied.

Dead Empire, We Will Ride Fast, Metrognomes, Choke Flower, Eddie and the Dreamers, Talismer, HOICK, 5g Meatsuit, Hemordroid, Carrion Bride, Stunt Clown, The Tea House, Somacaine, This Is How We Die, Two Skinner, Wince, Grown Downz, False Waltons, Dead Simple, and The Knids. 

Hemordroid. Photo: supplied

See you there! 

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