We return to the occasional series wherein Winston expounds on things currently making him happy. This week he’s once again as contented as a cat sitting in a small box. Three gigs in three days, that’s all it takes. And a book. So join...... Read More

An obvious indicator of getting older is people you know dying. I realise that’s not a very happy way to start a column, but at a certain time of life - and I think I’m at it now - recognisable faces from throughout your days begin to grow...... Read More

What a fantastically sunny run of events we’ve had! It’s been great this year. Bay Dreams, One Love, Slash, Toto, the 80s disco show, Live Music at The Lettuce Inn, Katikati Twilight Concerts, River Sounds Festival and more have all enjoyed...... Read More

There are all sorts of people recording  music in Tauranga. At one end of the scale are professional bands and musicians - practitioners who either have been, or intend to be, in this crazy business we call show for the long haul. But, in a place...... Read More

Katikati is officially one of the best towns in New Zealand. That’s what they tell me. It was a headline I read the other day, and I think what bugs me most about it is the word ‘officially’. Forget what you know – this is official. How...... Read More

The mythical phoenix gains new life by arising from the ashes of its predecessor. So there appears to be a certain retrospective irony in Tauranga City Council’s decision to strip the Mount carpark of that name. Even phoenixes would have a hard...... Read More

There are a bunch of ‘nostalgia’ acts playing around the Bay during summer, but The Narcs aren’t one of them. So what’s the difference, in a holiday season that’s bringing us Toto, Jefferson Starship and too many others...... Read More

One of the world’s favourite American rock bands will meet Tauranga residents all the way, at what’s been pegged as the region’s hottest gig of the summer. Toto touches down in Tauranga on January 9 at Trustpower Baypark, supported...... Read More

I think I can say – without fear of contradiction – that we’re getting close to the end of the year. Let’s assume that y’all by now have plans for New Year’s Eve. There’s a lot going on, so have fun and do...... Read More

A wise man once said: ‘The blues is like a plain glass’ –  I tend to agree. The idea is that the basic structure and building blocks of the blues are so simple, so transparent, that there is nothing to disguise the contents,...... Read More