01
Our Story
Music & Gigs started the way most good things do β out of genuine frustration. As a music fan living between New Zealand and the UK, Sophie Graham kept hitting the same wall: there was no single place that covered both scenes properly. NME writes about NZ as an afterthought from London. Local NZ coverage rarely touches what’s happening in the UK.
So she built it herself.
What started as a personal project quickly grew into something bigger. Contributors joined from Manchester, London, Auckland and Wellington β all united by the same conviction that music journalism should be honest, passionate and written by people who actually care about the shows they’re reviewing and the artists they’re championing.
We’re not backed by a label. We don’t take money to run positive coverage. We go to the shows, we listen to the albums, we talk to the artists β and we tell you what we honestly think. That’s it. That’s always been it.
Music & Gigs is still small. We’re proud of that. It means every word on this site was written by someone who gives a damn.
02
Mission & Values
Independent Always
We are not owned by a label, a media group or a corporation. Nobody tells us what to cover or how to cover it. Our editorial decisions are made by music fans, for music fans.
Honest Coverage
We give three stars when something deserves three stars. We say when a gig was disappointing. We champion emerging artists nobody else is writing about. Honesty builds trust β and trust is everything in music journalism.
Local & Global
We believe NZ music deserves the same serious coverage as anything coming out of London or New York. And we believe UK fans deserve to know what’s happening at the bottom of the world. We cover both with equal passion.
Community First
We give writers a platform to grow. We give artists a space to be heard. We give readers music coverage they can trust. The best music communities are built on generosity β and that starts with us.
Quality Over Quantity
We would rather publish one excellent review than five mediocre ones. Every article on this site went through an editor. Every opinion was formed by actually being there, actually listening, actually caring.
Accessible To All
Music is for everyone. Our coverage is free. Always. We believe great music journalism shouldn’t sit behind a paywall β it should be as accessible as the music itself.
03
The Team
Contributors
Sophie Graham
Sophie founded Music & Gigs because she saw a gap and decided to fill it. She leads all editorial direction, has interviewed the likes of Lewis Capaldi, Pale Waves, and Tom Grennan, and has a reputation for spotting great artists early. Writer, photographer, designer β Sophie wears a lot of hats, but the thread running through all of it is the same: a lifelong obsession with music and the people who make it.
James Kirkland
James is a Music and Gigs photographer, capturing the energy of live shows across UK. His work has appeared alongside reviews and features on the site since 2025. If you've seen a great live shot on M&G, chances are it's his.
Azrie Azizi
Azrie is an Auckland-based music photographer with roots in TΔmakiβs live scene, back when spots like the Wine Cellar and The Underground lit up Kβ Road. Passionate about indie, hip hop, and all things homegrown, he uses his lens to spotlight the artists shaping Aotearoaβs sound. In 2025, he won the Aotearoa Music Photography Award at the Auckland Festival of Photography, inspired by the local photographers and musicians who continue to fuel his craft.
Daniel Atherton
Daniel keeps the site running and occasionally picks up a pen when something in the music world catches his attention. The combination of technical brain and genuine music knowledge makes him one of the more useful people to have around.
04
Work with Us
Press & Media
Got a story for us?
We accept press releases, interview requests, advance streams, review copies and gig accreditation requests. We cover NZ and UK releases and prioritise artists with upcoming NZ or UK tour dates. Response time is typically 48 hours.
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Music & Gigs reaches passionate music fans across New Zealand and the UK. We offer display advertising, sponsored content, competition partnerships and ticket affiliate arrangements. Get in touch to discuss options.
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