Local Produce: The Crown Hotel

Posted 9:24pm Sunday 6th April 2025 by Jonathan McCabe

The legendary Crown Hotel is still shaping Ōtepoti’s live music scene. The bar and music venue hosts local, student, and international musicians. A quick nosey around the pub gives you a sense of its history. The jukebox displays the owner’s extensive music collection, meanwhile Read more...

Local Produce: Fun Bucket

Posted 9:49pm Sunday 23rd March 2025 by Jonathan McCabe

Fun Bucket exclusively plays every Thursday for Pequeño's Jazz Nights. After paying the $20 entry fee, you'll be welcomed with a complimentary cocktail and, squeezed into the chandelier-lit corner, you'll find the band. The intimate group of spectators are found eagerly Read more...

Local Produce: Nic Sick

Posted 7:57pm Sunday 2nd March 2025 by Jonathan McCabe

Nic Sick broke into Ōtepoti’s live music scene just as 2024 was drawing to a close. Having formed in halls, the new year has brought a bit of uncertainty, with fewer members and fewer practice spaces. However, the excitement of the unknown has kept the momentum going.   James Read more...

Local Produce: Achtung!

Posted 3:48am Monday 16th September 2024 by Jordan Irvine

Bring The Noise final losers Achtung! are the newest post-punk band in Ōtepoti. Members include Jacob (he/him) on guitar, Niki (she/they/he) on drums, Henry on bass (he/him) and George (he/him) on guitar. According to Niki, “The genesis of Achtung! is using old Critic’s as cum Read more...

Local Produce: RISK

Posted 7:32pm Sunday 25th August 2024 by Jordan Irvine

RISK (he/him) is one of the hottest techno/hardgrove DJs to pop out of Dunedin this year. Already, RISK (real name Angus) has been stacking up on an impressive resume, regularly playing at Carousel, U-Bar and snagging a Radio 1 Live to Air boiler room style set. Critic Te Ārohi caught up with Read more...

Uni “Open to Discussions” for Band Practice Spaces

Posted 6:53pm Sunday 25th August 2024 by Jonathan McCabe

The lack of suitable spaces for bands to practise in is an issue that’s garnered increasing attention this year (check out the feature in this year’s Music Issue). In the interest of supporting the local music scene, musos have turned to the Stephens of the University for on-campus Read more...

The Rise and Revitalization of Gay Pop, and why it matters so much

Posted 6:21pm Sunday 25th August 2024 by Madeline O’Leary

Chappell Roan, lesbian icon and pop’s newest darling, said in a recent The Jimmy Fallon show appearance that the inspiration behind her debut album The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess (coincidentally the inspiration of our cover) was that “I just wanted to make something I could Read more...

DJ Comp Shows Shift in Electronic Music Scene

Posted 7:10pm Sunday 25th August 2024 by Angus Rees

Last week, OUSA hosted its annual Future DJ competition at U-Bar. The comp platformed some of Dunedin's future DJ stars, welcoming electronic music punters and every breatha who loves drum and bass. But with only one of the top three DJs playing DnB, it seems there’s been a shift in the Read more...

Purple Dog Crowned Bring the Noise Winners

Posted 7:13pm Sunday 25th August 2024 by Jordan Irvine

The Bring the Noise finals were held at U-Bar on Friday, 16 August. Six bands competed but only one came out on top. The winners were the indie rock band Purple Dog who have seen a surge in popularity this year, playing multiple Pint Nights, featuring in a Critic article (the highest praise) and Read more...

New Venue ‘Dropkicks’ Announced

Posted 4:27pm Saturday 17th August 2024 by Hugh Askerud

Captain Cook and Dive Bar’s grave is soon to welcome new occupants. The building, which has been up for lease since 2022, will soon be occupied by a venue called ‘Dropkicks’, set to be open this September. Musos and students rejoice, something fucking great just happened. The Read more...