Rock on at Go Live Festival with guest bands

This year Go Live brings special guests from the north and south, Midwave Breaks and Left or Right, to join 13 local acts at the Town Hall in August.

Originating from Supergroove, Che Fu and Eight, the duo that makes up Tauranga band Midwave Breaks have hit the ground running since they formed in 2021. So far, they’ve achieved six singles in the Top 5 RadioScope Rock Charts and a further five in the Top 20.

“We’re alt-rock overall, pretty retrospective in our influences, having grown up through the late 80s and 90s, and it’s great bringing the energy and dynamics of just two of us to the stage,” says drummer Paul Russell.

“We often hear that people knew the songs but didn’t know it was us, whether that’s as Midwave Breaks, or our previous band, Eight. We’ll mix it up and create a special show,” says singer-songwriter and guitarist Bruce Conlon.

In April, they opened for international acts Incubus and Līve in Christchurch and Auckland. Last year for NZ Music Month, the duo headlined a tour around Aotearoa, which at the Christchurch show featured two local bands also on the Go Live line-up – Imperial April and Tealskie.

“We have a special relationship with Ōtautahi and are really looking forward to the Go Live Festival,” says Conlon.

Russell adds, “For me it’s the collective and community energy that comes with it – so many bands to share the stage with and be inspired by.”

One of those bands is Left or Right, a psych-rock reggae trio hailing from the deep south of Aotearoa, with a reputation for multi-sensory, larger-than-life live performances.

Psych-rock reggae trio, Left or Right

Bassist Steve Marshall says they’ll bring “a hearty blend of dub-reggae grooves, soaring vocal harmonies and offbeat lyricism at times infused with moments of visceral rock rifferry.”

He and bandmates Callum Hampton (guitarist-trumpeter) and Metua Marama (drums) have been playing together since 2007, and with former bands since 1999.

“Songs about aliens, dentists, insects, reincarnated cats and autophobic dogs are among our repertoire,” says Marshall, revealing the band’s quirky flavour. Left or Right’s album titles also give that away: Nuggety (2009), Buzzy (2012) and Trippy (2015).

A fourth album is on its way, and the band are looking forward to “road-testing the new material.”

“We are definitely looking forward to playing some new material for our already dedicated fans but equally excited to share some of our classics to a whole new audience,” says Marshall. 

“We are always excited to come back to Ōtautahi and perform, as the city has been so welcoming of us over the years and really supportive of our live shows. To play at the Town Hall will be special, and to be part of such an eclectic, impressive line-up is an honour.”

Go Live Festival is on 17 August from 7–11pm. Check out the full line-up on What’s On. Final tickets are on sale now at Ticketek.co.nz – $35 plus booking fees.