GARDENS magic is almost over for 2011, with just under a week’s musical entertainment left to go.
Jessie Moss and James Coyle combine to form folk-rock outfit Jessie James and the Outlaws, joined too by members of bands like Hikoikoi, Fly My Pretties, Spartacus R and the Dunstan Rangers. Ex Trinity-Roots, now Little Bushman frontman Warren Maxwell said of their first single, “From the very first beat of ‘Angila’ I knew that I was in for a well-crafted, un-predictable listen. In this modern age of digital perfection and fibre optic existence, I personally favour any wares made with analogue-focused aroha.”
Jazz, afrobeat and calypso band The Shogun Orchestra gets its inspiration from a three-month stint in Haiti. Fronted by Wellington saxophonist, composer and general musical dynamo Lucien Johnson, The Shogun Orchestra is made of members of Fat Freddy’s Drop, Twinset and the Eggs and features fingerpicking guitar maestro Justin ‘Firefly’ Clarke.
Expect a feast for all senses with KazaamBLAM! on Friday. Combining rap and hip-hop elements with rocking guitar solos and visuals to boot, it could be the most outrageous party the Gardens have seen.
The weekend sees the last of the double-hitters. Dylan-esque croonings from 19 year old up-and-comer Oskar Herbig begins the night on Saturday, with Zirigidum merging traditional Brazillian samba sounds with reggae, funk and rock soon after.
On Sunday the City of Wellington Pipe Band will play highland classics, and then our favourite diva Lisa Tomlins will take Gardens Magic out with a bang, showcasing her pipes along with nine-piece band the Rebel Alliance.  
There are no cancellation dates remaining should nasty weather return, but the MetService forecast looks promising. Fingers crossed.
Gardens Magic, at the Soundshell, Botanic Gardens.
Jessie James and the Outlaws, 8-9:30, January 26; The Shogun Orchestra, 8-9:30, January 27; KazaamBLAM, 8-9:30, January 28; Oskar Herbig, 7-8:00 and Zirigidum, 8-9:30, January 29; City of Wellington Pipe Band, 7:30-8 and Lisa Tomlins, 8-9:30, January 30.