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April 2025
Crossroads Tribute to Kendrick Lamar
Crossroads returns to 03 Sessions, this time honouring the monumental 10-year anniversary of Kendrick Lamar's 'To Pimp A Butterfly', originally released on 15 March 2015. Crossroads embodies the post-Dilla landscape of improvised music: harmonic impressionism, deep tone, and stern backbeat. Think Chris Dave, Pino Palladino, and Isaiah Sharkey at Blue Note. Think Art Blakey to Slum Village to D’Angelo to MJ. Think past Wynton Marsalis’ bedtime. Nick Pitts - Keys Cameron Finlay - Drums Joel Sangster - Bass ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 03…
Find out more »Phoebe Rings
Phoebe Rings started with Crystal Choi in 2019, eager for an outlet after finishing jazz school. “I got very sick of jazz. I just didn’t want that sound anymore,” she adds, “Dream-pop was my favourite thing to listen to. It fits the vibe and visuals of where I wanted to go.” Graham Reid praises the ethereal fantasy: “If the occasion arises for you to take a few moments to let the world go, this is the EP for you.” Choi…
Find out more »Sherlock Albazi Quartet
James Sherlock and Lillian Albazi are Naarm-based musicians with distinguished careers spanning jazz, classical, and experimental music. James, a celebrated guitarist and 1997 Ike Isaacs International Jazz Guitar Award winner, has toured extensively, performing at prestigious venues like the Montreux Jazz Festival and collaborating with renowned artists, including Sheila Jordan, Cyrille Aimée, and The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. With six albums as a bandleader, James’s artistry has earned international acclaim, including a recent feature in François Tétaz’s film score for The…
Find out more »Tusekah & Friends
Join us on the night of Former Ōtautahi local and University of Canterbury student Tusekah's graduation as she takes the stage with her talented friends and fellow musicians who have helped shaped her musical journey while based in based in Ōtautahi. This intimate, soulful event will showcase a mix of original tunes, smooth melodies, and powerful performances. With influences stemming from classic R&B to contemporary Neo-Soul, the night promises an electrifying blend of rich vocals, heartfelt lyrics, and grooves that…
Find out more »Womb – Album Release Tour – NZ/AUS
Join us for the release of our third album, One Is Always Heading Somewhere. With very special guest Mona Vasa! Love, Womb xx
Find out more »Tom Lark – Moonlight Hotel Tour
Shannon Fowler has announced his second full-length album as Tom Lark, Moonlight Hotel, along with dates for his first live shows in Aotearoa since May 2024. Moonlight Hotel sees the artist explore the parallels between his family's historical displacement following the 1929 earthquake that destroyed Murchison – a pioneer town in the upper West Coast of the South Island – and his own following the 2011 earthquakes that levelled much of Ōtautahi. The second single from the LP, 'Rock &…
Find out more »Mary Ocher (Berlin) – NZ Tour
CRISIS ARTIST: Western World Tour Following shows all over Europe and North America, Berlin-based Experimental pop artist Mary Ocher returns to NZ and Australia for the first time since 2019, armed with two vastly celebrated political records released only months apart: Your Guide to Revolution and Approaching Singularity: Music for The End of Time. Ocher's music is a bold confrontation of power and alienation. For those who crave music that defies convention, Mary Ocher is unmissable. Ocher has been pushing…
Find out more »Will Kao Quintet
William Kao, an accomplished 19-year-old trombonist, multi-instrumentalist and composer from Christchurch, has just returned from a prestigious full scholarship at Berklee’s summer program. There he studied with musical legends Victor Wooten and Simon Moullier. Since the age of 16, William has showcased his exceptional jazz talent nationwide and recently internationally, performing in top venues from The Bebop (Boston) Smalls jazz club (NYC) to East Shore jazz club (Beijing). William is committed to growing as a musician and eventually making his…
Find out more »May 2025
Salt Water Criminals ‘I Believe in Dog’ NZ Tour 2025
With the release of the stirring, hook-heavy I Believe in Dog, comes the first Salt Water Criminals headline tour. The band, one that 95bfm “implore(s) you to experience live”, returns after 2023’s House of Highs and their string of visceral and memorable shows in Auckland and Wellington. Word-of-mouth did all their PR work, and quickly Salt Water Criminals became the band that regulars of the underground knew to keep their eyes on. Their sophomore album I Believe in Dog, set…
Find out more »Thabani Gapara Presents The African Traveler
Join acclaimed saxophonist Thabani Gapara on a musical journey through the rich and vibrant sounds of Southern Africa in his latest concert experience, The African Traveler. This special performance weaves together original compositions and beloved classics from the region, offering a deep and soulful exploration of heritage, rhythm, and storytelling. Rooted in the traditions of Afro-jazz, township grooves, and contemporary African fusion, Thabani and his dynamic ensemble bring to life melodies that echo across generations—celebrating the music that has shaped…
Find out more »Mim Jensen
A stunning young talent, Mim Jensen boldly showcases her vulnerability through her beautiful music and finely-crafted lyrics. With her fearless ability to do emotional deep-dives, Jensen is a unique and honest song-writer who readily shares of herself as she continues her mission towards living a life based on unconditional love and the interconnectedness of all.
Find out more »Darren Pickering Small Worlds – ‘Three’ (Album Release Show)
Renowned Ōtautahi pianist Darren Pickering returns to the Space Academy stage yet again, to celebrate the release of his 3rd album 'Three'. Come hear his 'Small Worlds' jazz project live at 03 Sessions, with Heather Webb (guitar), Pete Fleming (bass), & Jono Blackie (drums). "With the 3rd instalment of their series of albums (following on from critically acclaimed ‘Volume One’ & ‘Volume Two’), Darren Pickering Small Worlds continue their through-composed & improvisational explorations into the melding of jazz, folk, song-based…
Find out more »July 2025
Search For Yeti – Dark So Soon Aotearoa Tour
Te Whanganui-a-Tara based indie rockers Search For Yeti are hitting the road to take their new album 'Dark So Soon' around the country. Drawing influences from indie rock, britpop, folk and new-wave with an emphasis on hooks and melodies, the album shows a diverse range which has been praised as “a brilliant debut” (Chris Philpott), “warm, expansive and guaranteed to elicit a genuine emotional reaction” (13th Floor), “the songs stick with you, dreamlike in their form” (music.net.nz), and “hard rock,…
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