To celebrate the release of their debut LP, Cakefight packed their bags and caught a plane over the Tasman Sea to rock in New Zealand – the land of the long white cloud.
Ten days. Six shows. Two islands. New Zealand, let’s do this! Follow Melbourne’s fuzzy faves Cakefight as they take on their first Kiwi tour.
Whenever on holiday we usually hunt for dive bars and local rock n roll. Lucky for us these go hand in hand when booking a tour, and New Zealand ticked all the boxes.
Stop one: Christchurch
Our introduction to rocking in Aotearoa was in the South Island – in Christchurch. Home to the super cool Darkroom, where we played alongside local punks Nervous Jerk and Big Beach Ocean Surf King.
All killer, no filler. We felt right at home and knew immediately that we’ll be back.
Stop two: Woodcock Fest, Tauranga
Thirty bands. Twelve hours. Three stages. Are you READY?
Located on a farm, organised by Tauranga Music Sux and on a line-up with bands such as Kiwi favourites The D4 and Japanese party animals King Brothers – Woodcock was a marathon of a get together for NZ rockers and it was amazing.
We drank VB, camped in the back of a rental car and rocked in a punk rock sandpit!
Standout band: Auckland rockers Bloodbags and The Biscuits… look them up RIGHT NOW!
Stop three: Wellington
Windy Welly doesn’t get its name for nothing, a cyclone even made an impressionable appearance but luckily didn’t rain on our parade!
We played at Caroline – a venue that consciously hosts mixed gender line-ups and is decked out with retro décor and a sweet lighting rig. Local legends Tidal Rave and Tigers of the Sea joined us and it was awesome!
Stop four: Whanganui
In Whanganui we discovered Double Brown longnecks, the most swinging go-go dancer in the land and Lucky Bar, a rocking venue ran by lovely legends in a peaceful town on a sleepy Wednesday night.
Standout moment: a terrifying road trip through the Taraurua Forest Park locals say is ‘only a bit winding’. Cheers Google Maps!
Stop five/six: Auckland
Dusting off our trip in Auckland, we were lucky to rock an instore at Real Groovy, a place oozing with cool Empire Records vibes – and Whammy Bar, a New Zealand rock n roll institution.
A perfect last leg of the tour!
Thanks Aotearoa!
NZ tour in one word: Awesome
Highlights: exploring dive bars, making new friends, discovering new favourite bands and eating delicious bagels. Will we return? Yes
Next stop, Australia:
Friday 16 March – The Metro, Adelaide
Sunday 18 March – The Bearded Lady, Brisbane
Tuesday 20 March – Howl & Moan Records, Byron
Thursday 22 March – Hamilton Station, Newcastle
Friday 23 March – Record Crate, Sydney
Friday 6 April – Brisbane Hotel, Hobart
Saturday 7 April – Gunners Arms, Launceston
Friday 20 April – Woody’s Bar, Melbourne
