Kora, Trip to the moon

Kora, live at Galatos. Photos: Mark Williams

Kora launched their brand new album Light Years with a short live set at Galatos last Thursday night. It's been four years since their debut album, and this one was worth the wait. The boys were clearly excited to be playing tunes off their new album, and those stunning vocal harmonies are still right up front. It's serious Hori future funk.

It's been several years since I've seen Kora live, and they absolutely killed it. The new album still has plenty of grunt but has pulled back on the guitars in favour of some heavy electronica and beats.

One of my favourite parts of the night was when they called out to see where the crowd was from - "Who's from Wellington?" A few cheers. Who's from Whakatane?" (their hometown). The front half of the room cheered like mad. They somehow managed to get a hometown crowd at the gig, even tho they weren't in their hometown. Shot. Kora head out on tour over December and January, dates below.




Friday night saw local electronica duo Trip To The Moon (Trevor Reekie and Tom Ludvigson) play a rare live show to celebrate their latest album, The Invisible Line. They were joined by Nigel Gavin on guitar, and Jim Langabeer on flute. It was an entertaining night of electronic beats mixed in with jazzy melodies and vibes. A few pics below. So, what does the album sound like?

Graham Reid, Elsewhere: 'Here jazz, lounge, world music, imagined soundtracks and contemporary art music meet, and the genre-denying music alludes to much more through sonic samples, ambient passages, beat-driven trip-hop...Yes, a real trip, and any line between genres is invisible.' Read the review

Gary Steel, Metro Magazine: ‘…from slinky virtual jazz, imaginary cinema-noir, ambient soundscapes and retroactive space-age synthesis…it’s a perfect Sunday afternoon pause.’ Read the review

Trip to the moon, live at Backbeat Bar. Photos by Michael Flynn

Kora, with The Nudge...
Saturday 22 December // Black Barn Vineyard – Hawkes Bay
Sunday 23 December // The Commercial - Whakatane
Wednesday 26 December // Brewers In The Park – Mt Maunganui
Friday 28 December // Riwaka Hotel - Riwaka
Sunday 30 December // Butlers Reef – Oakura
Wednesday 2 January // Matakana Country Park – Matakana
Thursday 3 January // Opononi Hotel – Opononi
Saturday 5 January // Mangawhai Tavern – Mangawhai

Presale tickets available Tuesday 30th October
For all show & ticketing info go to www.muchmoremusic.co.nz
General onsale Thursday 1st Nov – Through Ticketmaster, venues & selected Rockshops