Autoplay: Marlon Williams’ generational run, and a rare Troy Kingi gig

Sunday, 14 June 2026

This week, Rachel Ashby reflects on a generational run from Marlon Williams, and samples the latest from Aotearoa’s next pop-punk stars.

Marlon Williams Tā Te Manawa

'Williams is a performer who bridges two distinct worlds and excels at opening the door for others to join him.'

Marlon Williams’ Tā te Manawa tour came to a triumphant conclusion at the Christchurch Town Hall on May 30. The end of this tour marks the beginning of a musical hiatus for Williams, who announced earlier in the year that he’s taking a step back from the stage for a period of rest. As he put it himself, “probably not ages in the scheme of things, but it’s time to take some time!” The break certainly feels well earned. The week of his final two shows in Ōtautahi, Williams took home three prestigious Tūī at the Aotearoa Music Awards: Best Solo Artist, Single of the Year for Aua Atu Rā’ and the coveted Album of the Year Award for his record Te Whare Tīwekaweka. The album, Williams’ first written in te reo Māori, is a record that welcomes listeners into the evolving process of stepping into language and culture, a generous offering that has been very much embraced by audiences. Sunday’s final town hall show felt like a victory lap for the artist at the end of a massive year. Flanked by his long-time band The Yarra Benders and joined on stage for performances by friends Delaney Davidson, Kommi and fiddle player Flora Knight, Williams more than proved his mettle as a seasoned performer. For the better part of two and a half hours, Williams and company tore through a catalogue of old and new songs – plus a decent chunk of improvised requests from the audience. I went to the show with my parents (one of many multi-generational groupings in the audience) and my dad noted that it’s not very often you get to see a band play Pōkarekare Ana and Powderfinger in the same set. Certainly, Williams is a performer who bridges two distinct worlds and excels at opening the door for others to join him.

Troy Kingi Night Lords

Hannah Everingham - Judi Dench; Ringlets - Hard Evidence

The unstoppable Troy Kingi takes his hip-hop record Night Lords to the stage in Wellington on Thursday for a rare outing. The album is the artist's ninth offering in his 10/10/10 series (his ambitious project of making 10 albums in 10 genres across 10 years) and cements his reputation as a seamless shapeshifter. The record features NZ hip-hop royalty including Diggy Dupé, SWIDT, Mā, Tom Scott, JessB, Rubi Du, MOKOMOKAI and plenty more, and many of these artists will be joining Kingi for a huge night of music at Meow Nui in Pōneke on Thursday. This is truly not a gig to miss; get a ticket from Lōemis festival or be forever fomo.

Now Playing

Hannah Everingham - Judi Dench: The sunny, ambling new song from Otautahi-based artist Hannah Everingham feels playful and knowing. The single comes with the announcement of a new record ‘big surprise’ out later this year, the follow up to her lovely 2024 album Siempre Tiene Flores which earned her critical acclaim and plenty of air time across student radio and RNZ.
Ringlets - Hard Evidence: the latest single from Auckland post-punks Ringlets was released last month in time for the band’s relocation to London. The urgent, off-kilter song tells a surreal tale of trouser theft and industrial collapse, and is brilliantly accompanied by a deeply unsettling music video from prolific Lyttelton film-maker Martin Sagadin. The band are nearing the end of their debut UK/EU tour which, by all accounts, has been a roaring success.

Correction: Our story on Che Fu being inducted into the Music Hall of Fame was published in our May 31 issue with an incorrect image. We apologise for the error.