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The Bloke Who Animated the Apocalypse
When Charlie Faulks talks about animation, it’s with a kind of unstudied inevitability. “It was just always there,” he says. “I didn’t have to force myself to like it. It was just this passion that formed very quickly.”
Phoebe Robertson
Oct 31, 20255 min read


A Whale’s Call in an Empty Room
By Ryan Cleland “One in ten people in New Zealand live alone.” These were among the first words spoken at A Show for When You Feel Lonely...
Ryan Cleland
Sep 29, 20254 min read


Klo Promotions - A New Space in the Scene
Words by Jia Sharma (she/her) Calling all emerging artists! Meet Klo Promotions, a fresh-faced new presence in the Wellington music...
Jia Sharma
Sep 2, 20252 min read


Garden Rock
Day Moon’s new EP, Garden Rock, surpassed and disproved every expectation I had going into their recent live show. I deliberately avoided listening to the release beforehand, opting instead to experience it fresh and live. I’m so glad I did. Each song came as a welcome surprise—filled with so many different voices and unexpected twists and sounds.
Jia Sharma
Jul 28, 20252 min read


‘Giving It Up’ for Lipstick - a Hotly Anticipated Single Release From Wellington’s Local Celebrities
By Madeleine Vivienne Pierre The single release party for Lipstick at Valhalla was a masterclass in reflecting the local band scene for...
Salient Magazine
Jul 7, 20252 min read


Noho Tahi | Peaceful Co-Existence
Lilly Kelleher (she/her; Te Ātiawa) Noho Tahi, the inaugural project for the new Dan and Una Chan & Laywood and Joyce Chan Residency at...
Salient Magazine
Mar 31, 20253 min read


Review: ANTi
It was 7:50pm and the sky was like ink when I arrived at Basement Theatre to see Keagan Carr Fransch’s new work.
Danielle Kionasina Dilys Thomson
Oct 7, 20242 min read


Review: and the Lochburns
and the Lochburns explores family, memory, and the passage of time with tenderness and authenticity.
Angela Pelham
Oct 7, 20244 min read


Review: Ngā Rorirori
Words by: Mauatua Fa'ara-Reynolds (she/they) After debuting in 2022 with great success, Ngā Rorirori is back and better than ever....
Mauatua Fa’ara-Reynold
Sep 16, 20243 min read


Arotake Kiriata: Ka Whawhai Tonu
I rangona whānuitia ēnei kupu e te whenua mōhū i te akitu o te pakanga rongonui o Ōrākau, te hiku o Ngā Riri ki Waikato
Keiha Nicol
Sep 16, 20243 min read


Film Review: Ka Whawhai Tonu
These words rang out across the quiet battlefield at the apex of the famous battle of Ōrākau, the last stand of the Waikato Wars…
Keiha Nicol
Sep 16, 20243 min read


Maiden Name: Live at Great Sounds Great
Words by: Jia Sharma (she/her) Last weekend, Great Sounds Great took over venues up and down Cuba Street. This was a night packed with...
Jia Sharma
Sep 16, 20242 min read


Review - Lizzie
Words by: Angela Pelham (she/her) Content Forecast: This review has mentions of death/ murder. Please take heed of the show’s other...
Salient Magazine
Aug 12, 20243 min read


Red, White and Brass: The Play
Before it had even begun, Red, White and Brass felt like a victory.
Danielle Kionasina Dilys Thomson
Aug 12, 20242 min read


Interview: The Girls in the Red House are Singing (Tracey Slaughter)
The most moving part of the book, for me, is how much of herself that Slaughter gives to the audience.
Phoebe Robertson
Aug 5, 20249 min read


Review: Guru of Chai
At the beginning of Guru of Chai, a storyteller chai-wallah promises a night of absurdity, magic, and escapism. Guru of Chai delivers
Izzy Christie
Aug 5, 20242 min read


PARK RD: The Novel
Words by Jia Sharma PARK RD recently released their first full album, The Novel, marking a new era for the Auckland-based band....
Jia Sharma
Jul 26, 20242 min read


Review: Limbo
Guy Van Egmond (he/him) Having sold-out its development season, Limbo is back for a second run at BATS Theatre. Produced by Keane As and...
Guy van Egmond
Jul 19, 20243 min read


A Night At San Fran: Feshh, Macho Macho, Dale Kerrigan, and Ringlets
Words by Jia Sharma (she/her) Last Friday’s show at San Fran had an unbelievably exciting lineup. Kicking off the night were local bands...
Jia Sharma
Jul 18, 20243 min read


Review: First Reserve | "Alice"
If you have engaged with the Wellington music scene at all, I’m sure you have heard of First Reserve.
Jia Sharma
Jul 3, 20242 min read


REVIEW: Blunt Dog: Bullet Train to Dunedin
Words by: Jia Sharma (she/her) Blunt Dog is a band I’ve been hearing about since the start of the year, but until recently, I hadn’t come...
Jia Sharma
Jun 27, 20242 min read


Akamai Night 2024
Words by: Mauatua Fa’ara-Reynolds (she/they) Over the past couple of months, I’ve often experienced these waves of existential dread and...
Mauatua Fa’ara-Reynold
Jun 11, 20244 min read


Review: Iphigeneia at Aulis
Words by: Lyra Caughley (she/her) Victoria Ancient Theatre Society’s first offering this year, Iphigeneia at Aulis, adapted Euripides’s...
Lyra Caughley
Jun 5, 20242 min read


Review: Dating’s a Drag
Experienced by: Phoebe Robertson (she/her) Dating apps have seen a decrease in usage, signalling a shift in the way people want to...
Phoebe Robertson
May 29, 20243 min read


Eyegum Wednesdays: Lipstick and Crying Club
Words by Jia Sharma (she/her) Few things in life bring as much joy as Eyegum Wednesdays at San Fran. This weekly event consistently...
Jia Sharma
May 27, 20242 min read


Review: Tarot, by Jack Arthur | AUP New Poets 10
Review: Tarot by Jake Arthur Words by: Phoebe Robertson (she/her) Tarot is Jake Arthur's second poetry collection, published by Te...
Phoebe Robertson
May 27, 20242 min read


Review: Lipstick
Raved by Jia Sharma (she/her) Photograhed by Michael Thomas How do I even begin to describe this band? I’ve been dying to write about...
Jia Sharma
May 27, 20242 min read


Review: Trying to Have a Good Night Out at Willis Lane
Good Times Had by Ethan Rogacion and Will Irvine This article is sponsored by Willis Lane. The unthinkable has happened and Salient has...
Salient Magazine
May 27, 20245 min read


Eyegum Wednesdays: Lipstick and Crying Club
Words by Jia Sharma (she/her) Few things in life bring as much joy as Eyegum Wednesdays at San Fran. This weekly event consistently...
Salient Magazine
May 27, 20242 min read


Review: Dating’s a Drag
Experienced by: Phoebe Robertson (she/her) Dating apps have seen a decrease in usage, signalling a shift in the way people want to...
Phoebe Robertson
May 27, 20243 min read


Review: Datings A Drag
Experienced by: Phoebe Robertson (she/her) Dating apps have seen a decrease in usage, signalling a shift in the way people want to...
Salient Magazine
May 27, 20243 min read


Koroseta—A Response
Words by Danielle Kionasina Dilys Thomson (she/her) I arrived early, and searched for a seat to perch on while sipping on a generous...
Danielle Kionasina Dilys Thomson
May 6, 20244 min read


Review: Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812
Words by: Ngân Dang(she/they) Picture Credit: WITCH Musical Theatre Dream-like and grandiose; Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of...
Ngân Dang
Apr 26, 20243 min read


Review: Cicada—Live at Valhalla
Words by Jia Sharma (she/her) Attending this Cicada gig was an unparalleled experience. Standing amidst the crowd and watching them...
Salient Magazine
Apr 8, 20243 min read


Review: Kick Up a FUS
By: Phoebe Robertson (she/her) Photo credit: ana.filmz (photos have been used with performers consent) Venue: Valhalla Seeing Valhalla...
Phoebe Robertson
Apr 1, 20244 min read


Review: Park Rd: ‘Every Night’
Words by Jia Sharma (she/her) “She goes out like every night, on my mind like all the time,” Park Rd’s newest single ‘Every...
Jia Sharma
Mar 28, 20242 min read


Review: Two Guitars
Words by: Alia Marshall (she/they) “Being cool? Yeah, tino māori.” This line from Two Guitars sums up exactly how I felt after leaving...
Alia Marshall
Mar 25, 20243 min read


Review: Crumbly Jack
By Guy van Egmond (he/him) Venue: Valhalla Editors note: review updated 30/03/2024. Fixed grammar, and added photos. Author’s confession:...
Guy van Egmond
Mar 25, 20242 min read


Review: Call The Plumber Tour—Frank on Tap and Wet Denim
Words by Jia Sharma (she/her) Frank on Tap and Wet Denim concluded their “Call The Plumber” tour in Wellington at San Fran this past...
Salient Magazine
Mar 19, 20242 min read


Review: First Eyegum Of The Year - Cruelly, Sleeping Village, and Empress Oli
Words by Jia Sharma (she/her) Eyegum (Free!) Wednesdays at San Fran are a staple of the local alternative music and creative scene in...
Salient Magazine
Mar 11, 20243 min read


Review: Sandwich Artist
Written by Guy van Egmond (he/him) Maybe I’m being subjective here, but a show playing “Man or Muppet” as house music is bound to be good...
Guy van Egmond
Mar 8, 20243 min read


Review: blackpill
Content Warning: Misogyny, sexual content Words by: Phoebe Robertson (she/her) Before I watched this show I was warned it would...
Phoebe Robertson
Mar 6, 20244 min read


Review: Antarctic Endeavours
Written by: Guy van Egmond (he/him), Phoebe Robertson (she/her) How do you summarize a play that has no summary? A play whose own blurb...
Guy van Egmond
Mar 6, 20243 min read


Review: The New Blue—A Portrait of Pixie Williams
Words by Jia Sharma (she/her) I’d consider myself a dedicated music nerd. So a few weeks ago when I heard about Pixie Williams,...
Jia Sharma
Mar 5, 20242 min read


Review: Hāpaitia—Fringe Festival
Words by Ashleigh Putt-Fallows (she/her) Ngāti Whātua, Ngāpuhi, Tūhoe Hāpaitia, created by Parekawa Finlay and Raureti Ormond and...
Ashleigh Putt-Fallows
Mar 4, 20242 min read


Review: Bars Behind Bars - An Old-Fashioned Lesbian Love Story
Watched wistfully by Chloe Eichler (they/she) Whisking us back to a world of swing jazz and giggle juice, Bars Behind Bars is an...
Chloe Eichler
Mar 4, 20242 min read


Review: After the Storm
Picture Credit: After the Storm (Facebook) Words by: Phoebe Robertson (she/her) “We live in grief… how do you think we got here?” Emma...
Phoebe Robertson
Feb 29, 20242 min read


Review: Twenty Minutes to Nine
Words by: Guy van Egmond (he/him) Content warning: suicide I am genuinely lost for words, trying to describe Twenty Minutes to Nine. It...
Guy van Egmond
Feb 28, 20243 min read


Review: Icky
Words by Phoebe Pierard (she/her) Greeted by a wondrously energetic, excited, and (most probably) exhausted crew after an intense season,...
Phoebe Pierard
Feb 27, 20242 min read


Review: Ben Pope: Holy Cow
Picture credit: Ben Pope Words by: Guy van Egmond (he/him) Perhaps I shouldn’t have gone to this show. Because, truth be told, I knew I...
Guy van Egmond
Feb 24, 20242 min read

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