Discover the captivating sounds of popular music in New Zealand!
From the traditional Maori instruments to modern hip hop, you’ll experience a vibrant and unique music scene with influences from both Western and Polynesian cultures.
Enjoy music festivals throughout the year, learn about the history of New Zealand music, and explore the 80s, protest songs, and more.
Get ready to explore the wonderful world of music from New Zealand!
Key Takeaways
- New Zealand music has a blend of Western and Polynesian influences, with popular genres including jazz, blues, country, rock, and hip hop.
- The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra is the national orchestra that showcases the country’s musical talent and contributes to the cultural scene in New Zealand.
- Maori music encompasses various forms such as waiata, karanga, moteatea, and kapa haka, which showcase cultural heritage through song and dance.
- New Zealand hosts a vibrant schedule of music festivals, including notable ones like Rhythm & Vines, Rhythm & Alps, WOMAD, and St Jeromes Laneway Festival, providing opportunities to experience local New Zealand music.
Genres and Influences
You can find a wide variety of genres and influences in New Zealand music. From jazz and blues to hip hop and country, the cultural fusion of Western and Polynesian influences has been a powerful impact on popular culture.
Lorde became the youngest solo artist to reach number one in the US, and Kimbra collaborated with Gotye on ‘Somebody That I Used To Know’. New Zealand Music Month in May is a great time to explore the local scene.
Traditional Maori music is another integral part of the culture. Waiata, Karanga, Moteatea, and Kapa Haka are all forms of the indigenous music, which predates European settlement in the area.
Music festivals like Rhythm & Vines, Soundsplash, and St Jeromes Laneway Festival offer an opportunity to experience the vibrant music of New Zealand.
With its unique blend of genres and culture, New Zealand music is an exciting discovery.
Fun Facts
You’ll be amazed by the interesting facts about New Zealand music. Did you know that Lorde became the youngest solo artist to reach number one in the US at 16 years old?
Or that ‘How Bizarre’ by OMC is the best-selling New Zealand pop song?
And that Kimbra collaborated with Gotye on ‘Somebody That I Used to Know’, which topped charts in 25 countries?
Not to mention that every year, New Zealand hosts a vibrant schedule of music festivals such as Rhythm & Vines, Rhythm & Alps, Soundsplash, and Splore.
To top it off, early recordings and radio rules in the 1920s sparked international interest in New Zealand music.
With all these fun facts, you can see why New Zealand music is so popular!
The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra
You’ll be impressed by the prestigious New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. The national orchestra is based in Wellington and tours around the country, performing in major cities, and has even taken the stage at the BBC Proms and the Concertgebouw. Their performances contribute to the cultural scene in New Zealand, exploring the impact of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra on the country’s cultural scene.
Maori music also plays an important role in New Zealand’s musical heritage. Forms such as waiata, karanga, moteatea, and kapa haka are all integral parts of the culture, and The significance of Maori music in New Zealand’s musical heritage is highlighted in festivals and performances. Music festivals provide even more opportunities to experience local New Zealand music, with many taking place from December to March. From Rhythm & Vines to St Jeromes Laneway Festival, there’s something for everyone.
Maori Music
Maori music is a rich and important part of New Zealand’s musical heritage. It consists of waiata, karanga, moteatea, and kapa haka, with each form having its own purpose and significance.
Join us as we explore the beauty and history of Maori music!
Waiata, Karanga, Moteatea, Kapa Haka
You’ll find that Maori music encompasses various forms, such as waiata, karanga, moteatea, and kapa haka.
Waiata are solo or unison songs, often lullabies, love songs, or laments.
Karanga is performed during a welcome ceremony called powhiri.
Moteatea is traditional chanting that predates European arrival in New Zealand.
Kapa haka is a Maori performing arts form that showcases cultural heritage through song and dance.
The importance of traditional Maori music in New Zealand today can’t be understated. It has had a profound influence on contemporary New Zealand music, with many artists drawing inspiration from it.
From its unique instruments to its powerful performance styles, Maori music continues to captivate audiences and inspire musicians.
Welcome Ceremony, Pre-European, Song, Dance
You’ll find that when it comes to Maori music, it encompasses a number of forms like welcome ceremonies, pre-European songs, and traditional dance.
Waiata are a type of solo or unison song, often used as lullabies, love songs, or laments.
Karanga is performed during a powhiri; a welcome ceremony of great cultural significance.
Moteatea is an ancient form of chanting that predates European arrival in New Zealand.
Kapa haka is a form of performing arts where traditional instruments are used to showcase cultural heritage through song and dance.
Each of these forms has a unique place in New Zealand music, contributing to the vibrant culture of the country.
Music Festivals
New Zealand is home to a variety of music festivals throughout the year. These festivals celebrate the country’s diverse genres and local talent. From Rhythm & Vines to St Jeromes Laneway Festival, attending a music festival is a great way to experience the best of New Zealand music.
Music Genres
You’ll find a range of popular music genres in New Zealand, from jazz and blues to country and rock, and even hip hop and Maori music. Local artists often blend together these genres with international influences, creating unique and exciting sounds.
Jazz and blues have been a popular staple in New Zealand music for decades.
Country music is also widely enjoyed, with artists like Tami Neilson and Delaney Davidson gaining recognition.
Rock music has been a major influence in the country, with bands like The Mutton Birds, Shihad, and The Datsuns achieving success.
Hip hop has gained traction in recent years, with artists like Scribe, Che Fu, and David Dallas.
Maori music has also been gaining popularity, with traditional forms such as waiata, moteatea, and kapa haka being performed more frequently.
In New Zealand, music is an integral part of the culture, and the genres are constantly evolving.
Local Talent
You can experience New Zealand’s local talent at music festivals across the country. From December to March, festivals like Rhythm & Vines, Rhythm & Alps, Soundsplash, and WOMAD provide an opportunity to discover emerging artists and to sample the best of the country’s music. These festivals showcase local talent, from traditional Māori songs to contemporary pop and rock. Check out the 10 Summer Festivals in New Zealand and find out what’s on.
At the festivals, you can find a range of artists, from established acts to up-and-coming local talent. Music lovers can enjoy an eclectic mix of styles, from jazz and country to hip hop and reggae. It’s a chance to discover the latest sounds and to immerse yourself in the unique culture of New Zealand. Who knows what genres will be trending next?
Experience New Zealand’s music scene and explore the diversity of the country’s local talent. Music festivals are a great way to find out what’s happening in the music industry, and to support emerging artists. So book your tickets and get ready to have an unforgettable musical experience.
Festival Highlights
Every year, you can enjoy a vibrant schedule of music festivals in New Zealand. From Rhythm & Vines and Rhythm & Alps to Soundsplash and Splore, there’s something for everyone. Notable headliners include big names such as Lorde, Kimbra, and The Topp Twins. These festivals provide a great way to experience local New Zealand music.
Many of the performances are unique, featuring taonga puoro, waiata, and kapa haka. WOMAD, St Jeromes Laneway Festival, and 10 Summer Festivals in New Zealand are some of the other festivals to check out.
Music festivals in New Zealand are a fantastic opportunity to experience the diverse and vibrant culture that the country has to offer.
Early Recordings and Radio Rules
You’ll learn about recordings and radio rules in New Zealand’s early music history. Early recordings had a huge impact on the development of New Zealand music. The publication of Swiss Cradle Song in 1913 and the addition of lyrics to the song by Northlands Emira Maewa Kaihau in the early 1920s were significant milestones. The song was later made world-famous by Gracie Fields and Bing Crosby when they recorded ‘Now is the Hour’ in 1947.
Radio regulations also had an impact on the music industry in New Zealand. The majority of recording studios in the country were contracted to the New Zealand Broadcasting service, which controlled the airwaves. However, this changed in 1947 when the Radio Corporation built a studio in Wellington. This development led to the recording of the first wholly produced New Zealand record, ‘Blue Smoke’ by the Ruru Karaitiana Quartet. This marked a turning point for the local music scene and set the stage for further growth and innovation.
Rock N Roll Arrives
You’ll experience the arrival of rock ‘n’ roll in New Zealand when Johnny Cooper, known as the Māori Cowboy, brought it to the country in the mid-1950s. His song ‘Pie Cart Rock and Roll’ sparked a frenzy in the music scene and allowed for further development of the genre.
Johnny Devlin, nicknamed New Zealand’s Elvis Presley, gained a huge following and had a successful single ‘Lawdy, Miss Clawdy.’ The impact of rock ‘n’ roll on New Zealand music was profound, with many artists embracing the genre and creating new sounds.
The 1959 performance of Johnny Devlin by Mabel Howard, Minister of Social Welfare, showed acceptance of the new wave of music. This evolved into artists such as The Tumbleweeds, Daphne Walker, Bill Sevesi and his Islanders, and The Pin Group, all of whom had huge success in the 40s and 50s.
The arrival of rock ‘n’ roll marked a new era for New Zealand music and its evolution to this day. And if you are interested in learning how to play rock ‘n’ roll guitar, check out this article.
The 60s and 70s
You can experience New Zealand music evolve in the 60s and 70s, as folk music made a revival and rock ‘n’ roll continued to take the nation by storm. Peter Cape and Phil Garland were popular performers and writers of folk music, influencing the genre in New Zealand. Max Merritt and the Meteors achieved iconic status with songs like ‘Get a Haircut’ and ‘C’mon Let’s Go,’ while Ray Columbus and the Invaders had chart success with ‘She’s a Mod.’
John Hore, known as John Denver, had success with his song ‘Welcome to our World’ and ran the Whitecliffs Music Festival. The Fourmyula’s Wayne Mason wrote ‘Nature,’ later dubbed New Zealand’s number one song of all time. Shona Laing won the talent show New Faces in 1972 with her original composition ‘1905.’
The impact of these popular bands on the music of the era was immense.
Political and Protest Songs
You can experience political and protest songs in New Zealand during the 1980s, as the nation faced tough economic times and rising unemployment.
Blam Blam Blam’s ‘There is no Depression in New Zealand’ and The Knobz’s ‘Culture’ were examples of satirical songs that highlighted the tough economic times.
The Topp Twins sang about Māori Land rights and keeping New Zealand nuclear free, while Herbs released ‘What’s BE Happen’ to protest against France’s nuclear weapons testing at Mururoa Atoll.
The most iconic protest song was the Patea Māori Club’s ‘Poi E’, which reached number one on the New Zealand music charts in 1984.
This political and protest music had an immense impact in raising awareness of key issues in New Zealand during that time.
1980s Music Scene
Have you ever wondered what the music scene was like in the ’90s in New Zealand? The ’90s marked an exciting time for music as local talent was explored and new genres began to emerge.
Many of the same influences that are seen in the modern music scene began to develop during this time. Punk, hip hop, and electronic music all began to gain traction, while the Dunedin sound continued to be a popular genre.
Bands such as the Mutton Birds, The Chills, and The Front Lawn were all making their mark on the scene. Record labels like Flying Nun and Propeller Records provided platforms for local artists to showcase their music.
Music festivals like Big Day Out and Sweetwaters provided a platform for established and emerging artists alike. The ’90s saw an explosion of creativity that has since shaped the music industry in New Zealand.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Best Venues to Experience New Zealand Music?
If you’re looking to explore local venues and experience New Zealand’s talent, check out the 10 Summer Festivals for great music. Attend music festivals, or go to the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra to experience the country’s cultural scene. Enjoy the unique Maori music or discover local rock, hip hop, and jazz.
Are There Any Popular Music Festivals Dedicated to Maori Music?
Yes! Music festivals such as the Te Matatini Kapa Haka Festival celebrate Maori culture and heritage. Explore identity and discover traditional songs, chants, and dances. Experience a vibrant celebration of music, art, and culture.
Are There Any Popular New Zealand Songs That Have Gone International?
Yes! New Zealand music has gone international, such as Lorde, Kimbra, and OMC’s ‘How Bizarre’. Indigenous and Pacific music have also been popularized, such as ‘Poi E’ and ‘What’s BE Happen’. Experience the best of NZ music by attending a local festival!
What Is the Most Popular Genre of Music in New Zealand?
The most popular genre of music in New Zealand is a mix of indie rock and rockabilly fusion. This unique sound has become well-known internationally, featuring artists like Lorde, OMC, and Kimbra. With its upbeat tempo and catchy rhythms, it’s sure to get your feet tapping!
What Are Some Iconic New Zealand Songs From the 80s?
Explore iconic New Zealand songs from the 80s like ‘What’s BE Happen’ by Herbs, ‘Poi E’ by the Patea Māori Club, and ‘Tally Ho’ by The Clean, drawing on Maori culture and investigating music trends.
Conclusion
So, if you’re looking for something new and exciting, come explore the captivating sounds of popular music in New Zealand!
From traditional Maori instruments to modern hip hop, you’re sure to find something that appeals to your taste.
Experience music festivals throughout the year, and explore the history of New Zealand music, from early recordings to the rise of rock and roll.
So come on down and discover the vibrant and unique sounds of New Zealand’s popular music!