Steve’s scene
Long-time friend and publicist for the late, great Dolly Parton, Metropol culture columnist Steve Guest attempts to sum in words what the amazing lady meant to him. I still can’t quite believe I’m writing about Dolly in the past tense. How do you sum up more than 20 years of friendship, laughter, adventures […]
Greg Johnson at 60
He’s a multi-instrumentalist fluent on piano, guitar, and trumpet; he’s just played the historic Hollywood nightclub Whisky a Go Go, and he’s married to a famous stuntwoman, but as Kiwi singer-songwriter Greg Johnson prepares to tour Aotearoa, he tells deputy editor Tamara Pitelen that he is tussling with the reality of turning 60. […]
Artscene
A snapshot of exhibitions to catch from now until November. Now – 11 October: An Taigh / The House: Held – Fifty Years of Friendship This exhibition showcases the remarkable support and generosity of the Friends of the Aigantighe since their foundation in 1976. Founded in August 1976, Friends of the Aigantighe have […]
Review: Suzanne Vega’s Flying With Angels Tour 2026
For Metropol’s Murray Dempsey, singer-songwriter Suzanne Vega is a firm favourite. He reviews her Flying with Angels Tour at the James Hay Theatre on 9 September 2026. Suzanne Vega has been a firm favourite of mine since Solitude Standing landed in 1987. There was something different about her even then. She didn’t just sing […]
Missing Robyn Kahukiwa search
The search is on for a series of missing artworks by one of New Zealand’s most influential artists, Robyn Kahukiwa, for an exhbition in 2027. Do you have a missing masterpiece sitting on your wall at home? Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū is issuing a callout to track down a series […]
Andiamo al cinema! Lumiere Cinemas
Let’s go to the cinema! The Italian Film Festival is in town from 3 to 27 September, with a gala opening event to kick things off. For 11 years, the Italian Film Festival has been showcasing the best of contemporary Italian cinema and timeless masterpieces across New Zealand. This year is no different. […]
Mānawatia a Matariki
Matariki is the Māori name for the cluster of stars that rises in midwinter, also known as Pleiades. For many Māori, it heralds the start of the new year. In 2026, the Matariki period runs from 8 to 14 July, with the official national public holiday falling on Friday 10 July. This year’s […]
See Footloose in Ashburton!
Ashburton Variety Theatre’s production of Footloose proves you don’t need to live in a big city to discover a thoroughly entertaining night at the theatre, writes Metropol’s Nancye Pitt in her review. Staged at the fabulous Ashburton Event Centre, this show bursts with heart, community spirit, and enough energy to have the audience […]
The Pogues still raw, still powerful, still worth it
There’s always a bit of hesitation when a band like The Pogues comes back around, especially without Shane MacGowan. For many, his voice and presence was the band. So heading into this 40th anniversary tour of Rum, Sodomy & the Lash, there was a fair question: does this still work? Short answer, absolutely […]
Steve’s scene
Your women-who-rock-roundup from global music consultant and Dolly Parton’s local publicist, Steve Guest. Y ou can say you were there (if you were) at Lainey Wilson’s simply fantastic show at Wolfbrook Arena in February. She is pure country rock and such a delight. Lainey loved New Zealand – she managed to check out […]
