A few smart bands and venues have gigs planned, as competition for the spin-off dollar heats up in these tough economic times.
The first of the Tri-nations-related shows is The Feelers, this Friday, at the makeshift "Octagon Village", which is reportedly going to be a large marquee serviced by a couple of the Octagon's establishments.
On the same night as the test, Elemeno P, supported by Deja Voodoo and Streetwise Scarlet, play in the Main Common Room at Otago University, and then on July 17, Shihad, The Mint Chicks, and Luger Boa are certain to pack out the University of Otago Union Hall.
But before all the hullabaloo fully kicks in, tonight in fact, there is a battle of the bands - of sorts - with the Julian Temple Band and The Sunley Band going head-to-head.
At the ripe old age of 25, Julian Temple has been on what he describes as a "bipolar roller-coaster ride through the music world".
He's got a degree in music, an independently released debut album, a name change, and four New Zealand and two US tours under his belt.
Temple formed the Juju Crew in early 2004, after meeting bassist Matthew Brook and percussionist Paul McLennan-Kissel.
He says the renaming of the musical ensemble as The Julian Temple Band - which better describes the set-up of singer/songwriter with a rhythm section - has made it easier for listeners to accept the diversity in their music.
While The Sunley Band is similar, in that it formed around a songwriter, the bands' music - though complementary - is quite different.
Sunley is based in beautiful folk and country, through to bossa nova and beyond, whereas Temple's band leans more towards jazz.
The Julian Temple Band and The Sunley Band go head-to-head tonight at The Backstage.
• If there's an award for the shortest-running venue in town it would sadly have to go The Lodge, at Port Chalmers.
Housed in the former Masonic Lodge, The Lodge has been a venue and recording studio for the first half of this year, but due to repeated noise complaints, the venue will not be hosting any more live bands or solo performers.
The last hurrah is a multiband event celebrating the birthday of a local breakfast DJ with The Futurians, Crude, and Onanon on July 19.
