It's hard to believe we're already stumbling into June.

And it's yet another long weekend, though as long weekends go it seems pretty laidback. Long weekends tend to mess things about as far as music, events and gigs go.

Bands learn pretty quickly to avoid putting on shows the weekend after a long weekend.

The reason is simple enough – people often go away for long weekends, or at least party a little more than usual. The result is you want to stay home the next weekend – because you've been away and those lawns really do need some attention or simply because you're skint.

Reversing into quiet

Then the whole thing reverses itself and after a quiet weekend everyone puts events and gigs on the following weekend.

Allow me to demonstrate…

Next weekend in Tauranga is very quiet. The thing of most interest is a blues gig down at Brew Bar on The Strand going by the amusingly inflated name the Tauranga Blues Festival.

It could perhaps, generously, be regarded as a mini-festival, given that it comprises five people: a soloist and two duos.

The soloist is impressive Australian Shaun Kirk, a veritable modern one-man blues band. One duo is Eastslide Blues from Gisborne; the other comprises of two members of The Remarkables which recently played a memorable show at the Historic Village. That's singer/acoustic guitarist/harmonica player Neil Findlay and veteran multi-instrumentalist Robbie Laven.

For me they alone will be worth the price of admission, but since the ‘festival' – kicking off at midday Saturday, June 6 – is free, that's not really a consideration.

Things go crazy

But, after that quiet weekend, things go crazy. Starting from June 10 there's a solid week of music. I'll be looking at a number of these events in more depth a little closer to the time – I just wanted to give a heads up so you can mark things on calendars.
First up, Trinity Roots is at Mauao Performing Arts Centre on Wednesday, June 10. They did split up for a while but they're back and again one of New Zealand's finest, with soulful harmonies and groovy grooves.

On Friday, June 12 at Rosie O'Grady's it's the launch of Derek Toner's new single with his band Tuner. He's launching ‘Roll Another One' – a song about his friend Richie Yeats, who died three years ago.

The night will be a fundraiser to combat cystic fibrosis. Derek's gigs have become somewhat legendary for the freewheeling craic, great music and spontaneous good vibes.

In the meantime you can check out the single at soundcloud.com/derek-toner/roll-another-one – I highly recommend it.

Meanwhile, on June 11-12, Baycourt is hosting the annual student Stage Challenge – an awesome event which will blow anyone away.

And there's more competition over at the Mount's Brewers Bar on June 12 with the second heat of the Demon Energy Battle of the Bands National Championship – entries are still open, but get in quick.

You have a choice

On June 13 you have a choice of the very refined Don McGlashan, who's playing at the Art Gallery, or the not-so-refined – but harder rocking – Brilleaux, which play their last gig at Driver's Bar before heading off on a tour of the UK the following week, which includes time out for a cider-tasting jaunt through Somerset – that's touring in style!
Old 1960s rocker Shane is doing his thing for The Entertainer's Club at the Citz Club on June 14 and on June 17, as Brilleaux jet off to England, Rob Thorne, Charlotte Yates, Gil Eva Craig combine forces for an unusual and original concert at Tauranga Art Gallery.


Insane seven days

That's an insane amount of stuff to be happening during a seven-day period.
More immediately, if you're looking for a little something this weekend – it is long after all – you could either head over to Rotorua for the Blues Festival or catch a couple of free gigs locally.

On Saturday, May 30, young guitarist Josh Durning is playing his blend of jazz blues and country at Brew from 4pm, while on Sunday, May 31 Carol Story and her band are playing smooth jazz at Greer's Gastro Bar in Greerton from 5pm. Have a good one.

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