November 28, 2023 12:49PM

The Others Way 2023: 5 Must-See Artists

The countdown to Auckland’s most exciting music festival is on! Here’s five excellent acts to catch at this year’s event on Friday.

By Sarah Downs

The countdown to Auckland’s most exciting music festival has officially begun.

The Others Way is set to take over Karangahape Rd and beyond this Friday, December 1st, boasting over 30 acts to satisfy everyone’s penchant for live music goodness.

Following a pandemic-induced lull, the festival returned in successful fashion last year, with Rolling Stone AU/NZ hailing The Others Way 2022 as a “welcome reminder of the strength of New Zealand music.”

Ahead of the 2023 edition, here are five artists we’re eagerly anticipating seeing on the big night.

The Others Way 2023 takes place on Friday, December 1st on Karangahape Road. Head to Under The Radar, Ticket Fairy, or pop into Flying Out for tickets.

Office Dog

There are so many well-liked Kiwi bands on this year’s lineup, and the charming lads of Office Dog (pictured above) are undeniably among them.

Originally from Ōtepoti/Dunedin and now making their mark in Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland, this fuzz-laden alt-rock trio, led by the prolific Kane Strang on guitar/vocals alongside Rassani Tolovaa on bass and Mitchell Innes on drums, recently unleashed their excellent debut album, Spiel, with tunes already skyrocketing on student radio and beyond. Descend into the depths of Whammy, crack open a cold one, and sink into their musical escapades.

Jess Fu

Don’t pass up the opportunity to catch Jess Fu while she’s in the country – she’s one of our coolest DJs and is always in high demand beyond our borders. Jess has been tapped by stations including NTS, Half Moon, and 95bFM for her flawlessly curated playlists, consistently showcasing fresh underground talent from Aotearoa.

If you need more persuasion, she opened for the enigmatic Berlin artist and DJ horsegiirL at Nympho at Neck of the Woods earlier this year, so you know the vibes are elite. The multi-hyphenate also hosted a well-received RNZ series last year, Amplified, that spotlighted artists who use music to embrace, connect, and explore their cultural roots.

Molly Lewis

A rare treat to see a professional whistler in action. The magnificent Molly Lewis is set to enchant attendees with her truly spellbinding whistling inside the quaint setting of Pitt St Church.

Lewis has just unveiled the classy and intoxicating new single “Lounge Lizard” from her debut album out next year, offering a tantalising preview of what’s to come with her debut album set to drop next year. The LA-based, Australia-born artist has a unique New Zealand connection having toured with Liam and Neil Finn of Crowded House back in 2017.

deepState

Kicking off the diverse DJ lineup at East St Hall is Tāmaki Makaurau’s own electronica artist, deepState, aka Jessica Morgan. The prolific producer is rolling off the back of a big year, marked by the release of her sublime second album, Dreams, in September via the good folks at Sunreturn. Her uplifting dance tracks, especially the standout “Won’t Let You Down”, float from spacey to calm to outright dancefloor bangers. There’s something for everyone.

Dick Move

Last on the list but definitely not least is local punk favourites Dick Move. Taking over Whammy’s backroom with their hot-off-the-press album, Wet, securely strapped to their well-seasoned belts, the fervently passionate five-piece from Tāmaki Makaurau guarantee an explosive, in-your-face set from start to finish.

If you’re in for a cathartic experience, brace yourself as Lucy Suttor’s scorching vocals collide with frenzied guitars and a breakneck tempo. These local legends are set to open for the Foo Fighters in January of next year, so don’t miss the chance to catch them before they soar to international renown.