New Zealand Rock Music: The Best of the Best

From Crowded House to The Naked and Famous, check out our list of the best New Zealand rock bands of all time!

New Zealand rock music: an overview

Rock music is a genre of popular music that originated in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia in the mid-20th century. The terms “popular music” and “rock music” are often used interchangeably, although rock music is seen as a form of popular music. Concurrently, rock music was developed in New Zealand. New Zealand rock has been influenced by a wide range of musical styles throughout its history, including British and American rock, as well as blues, country, jazz, and classical music.

New Zealand rock began to develop in the late 1950s and early 1960s. These early years were influenced by British Invasion bands such as The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, as well as American artists such as Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry. Local acts such as Ray Columbus & The Invaders and Max Merritt & The Meteors were also important early influences. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, a number of local acts achieved success in Australia and elsewhere overseas, including Hello Sailor,Split Enz, Dragon, David Bowie interactions with Kiwi musicians Russell Mael of Sparks fame recounted in Chris O’Dowd’s 2014 film Mood Indigo..

In the 1980s and 1990s there were two main types of popular music in New Zealand: international pop/rock/dance music (often simply known as “pop”) and local alternative rock (known simply as “rock”). Australasian acts such as Men at Work, INXS Textbook examples Icehouse., Crowded House Divinyls because Midnight Oil., Hunters & Collectors Midnight Oil., AC/DC You Am I inspired Silverchair., Billy Idol Faith No More achieved international acclaim., Kiss Guns N’ Roses featured members of Rose Tattoo., Thin Lizzy Cold Chisel INXS had success with Rollercoaster., The Angels Cheap Trick Poison reached the US Top 40 with Every Rose Has Its Thorn.”, Mötley Crüe Warrant Alice Cooper attained gold status with Poison.”, Bon Jovi Skid Row Whitesnake had mainstream radio success..

The best New Zealand rock bands

New Zealand rock music has its roots in the country’s folk music tradition, which is largely based on the music of the British Isles. However, New Zealand rock bands have also been influenced by a wide range of genres, including American punk and grunge.

Some of the best-known New Zealand rock bands include Crowded House, Split Enz, The Mutton Birds, Oasis, and The Chills. These bands have all achieved international success, and their music is still hugely popular in New Zealand today.

If you’re a fan of New Zealand rock music, then check out our list of the best NZ bands below. From crossover hits to underground anthems, these are the songs that have defined Kiwi rock music.

The best New Zealand rock songs

There are many great New Zealand rock songs out there, but which ones are the best? Here is a list of the best New Zealand rock songs, as voted by the people.

“Best of You” by Foo Fighters

“Somebody That I Used to Know” by Gotye

” Royals” by Lorde

“Rolling in the Deep” by Adele

“Poker Face” by Lady Gaga

“Chandelier” by Sia

“Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey

The best New Zealand rock albums

Rock music has been a part of New Zealand culture since the 1950s. In the 1960s, a strong local rock scene developed, which was aided by the arrival of new genres like psychedelia and other British Invasion sounds. By the 1970s, New Zealand rock bands were achieving success both at home and abroad.

Many great New Zealand rock albums have been released over the years. Here are just a few of the best:

The Chills – The Lost Earth (1986)
The Clean – Vehicle (1981)
Crowded House – Temple of Low Men (1988)
The Datsuns – Smoke & Mirrors (2005)
Die! Die! Die! – Promises Promises (2007)
Fly My Pretties – String Theory (2015)
The Naked and Famous – Passive Me, Aggressive You (2010)
Split Enz – True Colours (1980)
Supergroove – Supergroove (1993)

New Zealand rock music: the future

New Zealand rock music is making a big comeback and is set to take the world by storm. With a unique sound that draws from a wide range of influences, New Zealand rock music is forging its own identity and making a name for itself on the international stage.

Some of the best New Zealand rock bands are now being discovered by international audiences, and their music is being exported to all corners of the globe. If you’re looking for something new and exciting, then New Zealand rock music is definitely worth checking out. Here are just some of the bands that are leading the way…

The Naked and Famous
The Naked and Famous are an indie rock band from Auckland, New Zealand. Formed in 2007, the band rose to prominence with their debut album Passive Me, Aggressive You, which topped the charts in New Zealand and Australia. The album also gained attention in the US and UK, where it was nominated for a Mercury Prize.

Lorde
Lorde is a pop singer-songwriter from Auckland, New Zealand. Her debut album Pure Heroine was released in 2013 to critical acclaim, making her one of the youngest artists ever to top the US Billboard 200 chart. Lorde’s unique sound has drawn comparisons to artists such as Grimes and Fiona Apple, and she has been hailed as one of the most important pop stars of our generation.

Broods
Broods are an electronic pop duo from Nelson, New Zealand. Formed in 2013, the brother-sister duo quickly gained attention with their debut single “Bridges”, which was voted into fifth place in triple j’s Hottest 100 poll. Broods’ debut album Evergreen was released in 2014 to critical acclaim, cementing their status as one of New Zealand’s premier pop acts.

The influence of New Zealand rock music

New Zealand rock music has been a vital part of the country’s musical identity since the 1950s. With its unique blend of Māori and European influences, Kiwi rock has helped to shape the sound of popular music around the world. Here are some of the best New Zealand rock bands of all time.

The first New Zealand rock band to make an impact on the international stage was The Laurels, who were active in the 1960s and 1970s. Formed in Auckland, The Laurels were fronted by brothers Chris and Neil Finn, who would go on to find greater success withSplit Enz and Crowded House respectively. Other notable Kiwi rock bands from this era include Dragon, Hello Sailor, Th’ Dudes and Street Talk.

The 1980s saw a resurgence in New Zealand rock music, with many local bands achieving commercial success both at home and abroad. Some of the most popular acts from this period include Crowded House, Split Enz, The Naked and Famous, Flight of the Conchords and Evermore.

Today, New Zealand rock music is as popular as ever, with a new generation of Kiwi bands making their mark on the world stage. Bands like Broods, The Beths, Six60 and Artist againstBullying are continuing to put New Zealand rock music on the map.

The history of New Zealand rock music

New Zealand rock music has its roots in the 1950s, when a number of local bands began to emerge. These bands were heavily influenced by British and American rock and roll, and they quickly developed a distinctive sound of their own. In the 1960s and 1970s, more and more New Zealand bands began to gain international recognition, and the genre continued to grow in popularity throughout the country. Today, New Zealand rock music is widely respected around the world, and many of the country’s best-known musicians are internationally renowned.

The culture of New Zealand rock music

New Zealand rock music has its origins in the 1960s, when a number of bands began to emerge that blended elements of British and American pop and rock with local musical styles. These bands, such as the Flying Nun acts and the Dunedin Sound artists, helped to create a unique musical identity for New Zealand that has continued to evolve in the decades since.

Today, New Zealand rock music is a vital and vibrant part of the country’s cultural landscape, with a number of different subgenres and styles having emerged in recent years. From the atmospheric post-rock of Wellington-based outfit The Naked and Famous to the punk-infused pop of Auckland trio Blink 182 NZ, there is something for everyone in the New Zealand rock scene.

So if you’re looking for some great New Zealand rock music to add to your collection, read on for our list of the best of the best.

The business of New Zealand rock music

The business of New Zealand rock music is a competitive one, with many different bands and artists vying for attention. However, there are some that have managed to stand out from the rest and become household names. Here are some of the best-known and most popular New Zealand rock bands and artists.

New Zealand rock music: the ultimate guide

From Auckland to Wellington and everywhere in between, New Zealand is a hotbed for rock music. Home to some of the world’s most iconic bands and artists, the country has produced a wealth of talent over the years.

In this ultimate guide, we take a look at some of the best New Zealand rock music has to offer. From classic hits to modern anthems, there’s something for everyone here. So put on your headphones and get ready to rock out!