This is a big weekend musically, with the Stars Under the Stars shows at Mills Reef and the Marchwood Blues Picnic, but save a little energy for Waitangi day, when a truly international concert is happening.

Last week I wrote about Brilleaux, Tauranga's premier rhythm ‘n blues band. They have just released their new album, Decade, as fine a collection of tough modern R&B as New Zealand has seen this current millennium. Now, along with the Mount's newest radio station, they have big plans for a worldwide launch party.
Always keeping an eye out for a different way to do things, Brilleaux will be breaking ground for Tauranga next weekend by having the whole shebang streaming live on the internet to the entire world.
It's a cute idea, and it's a cool thought, that anyone from around the world can tune in and catch a gig happening in li'l ol' Tauranga, and if a band has fans overseas it's a rare chance for them to enjoy the outfit in action live.
I don't know how many international fans Brilleaux has, and I'm aware of the fact that it's going to be the middle of the night in most countries, but I still like the plan.
The radio station is KISS FM, brainchild of Max Cristoffersen, which broadcasts on 88.1FM. Like most local radio ventures it has a limited signal range but I've found that driving round the area I can pick it up in my car most places. The unique thing about this radio station is that they very regularly play music by Kiwi and – more particularly – Bay of Plenty bands.
That's long been a bone of contention amongst Tauranga musicians. For while Classic Hits BOP FM and other more established mainstream radio may boast their own perky local DJs and do cute things like local birthday calls, and give us local weather and local sports and local traffic reports, they have – through what most of us believe is a combination of laziness and disinterest – never given more than a passing nod to local music. And, since radio is largely a medium for music, that makes them, in the eyes of almost every Tauranga musician I've ever spoken to, worse than useless.
KISS FM is different. They don't have the perky DJs, they just have music. And a good deal of it is from Tauranga. And like most radio stations these days you can also listen to them direct on the internet at www.kissfm.co.nz. That's where people will be able to listen to the Brilleaux album launch, streaming directly around the globe.
Of course, being in Tauranga, we don't have to listen to it on the internet, we can just pop down to the Mount for an afternoon of musical fun.
KISS FM is at 25 Nikau Crescent (head down Rata Street towards the Port gates and turn right) – there's a big open area where the bands will be playing, sausages will be sizzling and the party will be happening. It begins at 1pm with Te Puke country/gospel singer Noel Beasley. Also on in the build-up to the main event will be John Michaelz and Derrin Richards and the Self-Righteous Brothers Blues Ensemble. Brilleaux will be taking the worldwide stage at 4.00pm.
So go along. It's not often you get to be part of what is, in its small way, an historical event. Entry is by gold coin donation, which goes to KISS FM. Tell your friends, and tell them that there's again a radio station here that actually pays more than lip service to being ‘local'. And, local musicians – go and see Max at KISS FM and take him in your albums: the more Tauranga music we get to hear on radio the stronger the Tauranga scene will become.
And, perhaps, if you have friends overseas who you want to show off a bit of Tauranga music to – some homesick Kiwis perhaps who want a little taste of summer at the Mount – get in touch and tell them to tune in to www.kissfm.co.nz. A little bit of the Bay will be bouncing off satellites and streaming all over the planet – make the most of it.