Crystal Chen at Normanby Fine Wines - Free Gig - Uptown Local Voices

Crystal Chen - Free Gig - Uptown Local Voices

R18

Discover the sound of Uptown at our series of performances, popping up in local cafés, bars, community spaces and venues.

Live at Normanby Fine Wine & Spirits

CRYSTAL CHEN

Tamaki Mākaurau-based Chinese-New Zealand singer, musician, and visual artist Crystal Chen, uses different mediums in her creative practice to reflect her perspective and reaction of the world around her through an honest and romantic lens. Having paved a path for herself since her first release in 2020, she’s been known for her soft and alluring songwriting abilities which explore themes of love, loss and fleeting memories.

Having steadily built success over the past few year, Crystal has supported Australian alt-indie trio Telenova at their Auckland show, saw festival placements at The Others Way and Cuba Dupa,  sold-out headline shows, and a showcase feature at Going Global. In a testament to the synergy between her sound and visual sensibilities, Crystal likes to direct her own music videos and the Love Letter music video won ‘Best Music Video’ at the HALO International Film Festival. It was also nominated for an LA Independent Women Film Award and ‘Best NZ Music Video’ at the 2024 Vision Fest Film Festival.

The work of an old soul with a young heart, or perhaps an analog girl in a digital world, Crystal Chen’s debut album ‘You can call me CC’ unfolds at its own unhurried pace. It showcases an intoxicating melange of jazz, post-disco, R&B, and modern soul. Comprising twelve songs that feel like handwritten journal entries translated into music – set to a backdrop of intricate compositions and ornate instrumentation provided by New Zealand’s finest jazz musicians. The album offers an intimate window into the emotional landscapes and metamorphosis of a woman who is the artist and muse. 

Listen to Crystal Chen: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7jlYkdWF3C4CwRDqwJUUqy

About the venue:

Normanby is a refined destination offering an evolving selection of fine wines, rare spirits and craft beverages. Enjoy wine by the glass, a morning coffee, explore the curated delicatessen section, and browse over 1,300 wines on the shelf - all delivered with approachable expertise in a welcoming space.

Uptown is full of musical people - home to iconic venues, recording studios and a thriving community of creatives. This May, in celebration of NZ Music Month, the Uptown Local Voices Series is back - a series of free, spontaneous pop-up gigs bringing live music to unexpected spots across the neighbourhood!

Explore the full Uptown Local Voices Series this NZ Music Month:

Geneva AM, HINA & Jack Moser at Kāhui St David’s, Wednesday 13 May, 5:00pm

Valere & Flynn Adamson at Puen Eatery & Bar, Friday 15 May, 7:00pm

Rowdy’s Rose, Wayne Brown Band & The Turing Project at The Corner Store, Wednesday 20 May, 6:00pm

Crystal Chen at Normanby Fine Wine, Friday 22 May, 6:00pm

Artpeace, FeelExcited! & Hans at Coffee Pen, Saturday 30 May, 9:00am-1:45pm