This weekend, Twominds Festival hits Christchurch’s Spencer Beach Holiday Park for its fourth iteration. With Friday fast approaching, we thought it best to get you aquatinted with some of the local talent that will on show. Eden Burns and Christopher Tubbs, both accomplished DJs in their own right, have built a powerful partnership under moniker Burns & Tubbs. The two DJs and producers released Volume IV of their Burns & Tubbs series in August 2025 on German record label Public Possession. Back in 2024, Flynn interviewed the pair about their flourishing creative partnership and surprising friendship for Newzician Magazine Issue Three.

In the very un-New-Zealand-like tradition of competitive speculation, we have decided to preview each of the ten finalists, in an attempt to bring a speculative gossip to the New Zealand music awards circuit. We make some goddamn great music, and I don’t envy the panel who have to make such a subjective judgement call. All I know, is whoever wins, its a bloody good album.

Aotearoa has been blessed by some incredible moments in music this year. Despite what seems like ever increasing, and insurmountable odds, the scene continues to plow on and build and refine a distinct palate of sounds and spaces that define our place in this chaotic world.

As the year comes to a close, we wanted to share some of our favourite albums, songs, and gigs we have attended this year in Aotearoa music.

Released on her debut full length debut ‘Language of Flowers’, Crumbs unloads a dense emotional outpour at the intersection of indie-pop, heartland rock, and shoegaze. Filmed and edited by Elise Lanigan and assisted by Kerry Pulham, Machray’s latest music video and visualiser is a prime example of the Pōneke-based dream rocker’s ability to build intersectional and creatively cohesive work that bridges sonic and visual artscapes.

Since their formation in 2016, the collective have formed an efficacious musical comradery that has accumulated in the release of their musical manifesto, Leisurevision. The album, released on September 28, is the refinement of a sound they have been methodically polishing since the release of their self-titled debut in 2017. Leisure are the sonic equivalent of mānuka honey; sweet, scrumptious, and with a special quality of high international demand.