2019 has been somewhat of a mixed bag for music lovers – there have been some stunning albums released and live shows performed, while there has also been bitter disappointment in the amount of cancelled shows and the sadness of losing some great musicians to the great big gig in the sky.
It has been a quieter year overall for Ambient Light as well, but I truly believe the content our writers and photographers have produced this year has stepped up a notch and is still hands down the best currently being produced not just in New Zealand but in the World.
Speaking of the World, this was the year that Ambient Light went international, covering gigs not only in New Zealand but in Australia and in South Africa for the first time – something I am personally very proud of, not just of the content but again of the photographers and writers who stepped up their game and were magnificent ambassadors of Ambient Light.
Again I want to thank everyone who was a part of this crazy rollercoaster that is being a music media outlet/website this year, from the writers and photographers to the publicists and promoters – without you lot there would be no Ambient Light and I am eternally grateful.
2020 is already shaping up to be an absolutely epic year with some huge names already announced to perform here, with more to come. I for one can’t wait – bring it on!
Doug Peters
Editor in Chief – Ambient Light
Top 10 Concerts (by website stats)
- The Monkees, Auckland NZ, 2019
- The Eagles, Auckland NZ, 2019
- Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Auckland NZ, 2019
- Alice In Chains, Auckland NZ, 2019
- The Pink Floyd Experience, Auckland NZ, 2019
- Happy Mondays, Auckland NZ, 2019
- John Mayer, Auckland NZ, 2019
- You Are Us / Aroha Nui, Auckland NZ, 2019
- Norah Jones, Auckland NZ, 2019
- U2, Auckland NZ, 2019
Top 10 Interviews (by website stats)
- When Fans Become Family: A Sevendust Interview
- It Wants What It Wants: A Hozier Interview
- You’ve Done So Much: A Jacob Collier Interview
- 10 Questions: A Zeal & Ardor Interview
- The Quest For Love: An Air Supply Interview
- What Makes A Monster: A Hugh Cornwell Interview
- Make The Lyrics Your Own: An Ocean Colour Scene Interview
- Underground Improvisation Of Sound: A Dead C Interview
- Making A Connection: A Sisters Of Mercy Interview
- Never Give Up: An Andrew Boak Interview
Top 10 concerts (as chosen by Doug Peters & Sarah Kidd – Ambient Light)
- U2, Auckland NZ, 2019
- The Prodigy, Auckland NZ, 2019
- Download Festival, Melbourne Aus, 2019
- Cradle Of Filth, Auckland NZ, 2019
- Slayer & Anthrax, Auckland NZ, 2019
- Liam Gallagher, Auckland NZ, 2019
- Crywank, Auckland NZ, 2019
- Billie Eilish, Auckland NZ, 2019
- Ghostemane & Dana Dentata, Auckland NZ, 2019
- Sisters of Mercy, Auckland NZ, 2019
Top 10 Instagram Posts (by “likes”)
- Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Auckland NZ, 2019
- Bryan Adams, Auckland NZ, 2019
- Post Malone, Auckland NZ, 2019
- Courtney Barnett (Laneway Festival), Auckland NZ, 2019
- Arctic Monkeys, Auckland NZ, 2019
- The Raconteurs, Auckland NZ, 2019
- Judas Priest, Auckland NZ, 2019
- Beach House, Auckland NZ, 2019
- Aqua (So Pop Festival), Auckland NZ, 2019
- U2, Auckland NZ, 2019
Top 10 Albums (as chosen by Doug Peters – Ambient Light)
- Billie Eilish – When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?
- Lizzo – Cuz I Love You
- Rammstein – Untitled
- Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds – Ghosteen
- Slipknot – We Are Not Your Kind
- Korn – The Nothing
- G Flip – About Us
- The Raconteurs – Help Us Stranger
- Chelsea Wolfe – Birth Of Violence
- Fever 333 – Strength in Numb333rs
Top 10 Biggest Disappointments (cancelled shows)
- Metallica & Slipknot, Auckland 2019
- KISS, Auckland 2019
- Slayer & Anthrax, Christchurch 2019
- Ozzy Osbourne, Auckland 2019
- Bryan Adams, Christchurch 2019
- Little Mix, Auckland 2019
- Phil Anselmo & The Illegals, Auckland / Christchurch 2019
- Rodriguez, Auckland 2019
- King Parrot, Auckland / Wellington / Christchurch 2019
- Rock The Park (The Feelers, Element P, Racing, Deadbeat), Auckland 2019
In Memoriam 2019 (Rest In Peace)
16th January: Lorna Doom (Germs)
21st February: Peter Tork (The Monkees)
27th February: Doug Sandom (The Who)
4th March: Keith Flint (The Prodigy)
6th March: Mike Grose (Queen)
17th March: Dick Dale
31st March: Nipsey Hussle
10th May: Malcolm Black (Netherworld Dancing Toys)
13th May: Doris Day
31st May: Roky Erickson (13th Floor Elevators)
9th June: Bushwick Bill (Geto Boys)
22nd July: Art Neville (The Neville Brothers)
1st August: Ian Gibbons (The Kinks)
7th August: David Berman (Silver Jews)
11th September: Daniel Johnston
13th September: Eddie Money
15th September: Ric Ocasek (The Cars)
16th September: Mick Schauer (Clutch)
23rd September: Robert Hunter (The Grateful Dead)
2nd October: Kim Shattuck (The Muffs)
6th October: Ginger Baker (Cream)
6th October: Larry Junstrom (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
31st October: Ann Crumb
4th November: Timi Hansen (Mercyful Fate / King Diamond)
2nd December: Andrew “Greedy” Smith (Mental As Anything)
3rd December: Arthur Baysting
5th December: Rick Bryant
9th December: Marie Fredriksson (Roxette)
Bonus List: Top 10 most anticipated tours of 2020 (So far…)
- My Chemical Romance – Auckland NZ
- FOMO Festival – Auckland NZ
- L7 – Auckland NZ
- Tool – Auckland NZ
- Iron Maiden – Auckland NZ
- Patti Smith – Christchurch / Auckland NZ
- Elton John – Dunedin / Napier / Auckland NZ
- Alice Cooper – Christchurch / Auckland NZ
- The Hu – Auckland NZ
- Flying Lotus – Auckland NZ
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In Memoriam Rick Bryant Dec 5th.