Music Looks That Good

For New Zealand Music Month 2025, we are showcasing "Many Hands Lighting," a collection of photos by Wendy Collings, and a music video by Ed Zuccollo.

Don't miss this vibrant display of New Zealand's live music scene. If you're in the building, come and check it out!

For New Zealand Music Month in 2025, the National Library has drawn on the collection of photographer
Wendy Collings Many Hands Lighting, held by the Alexander Turnbull Library, and worked with her on presenting a bespoke selection of images, together with a music video by New Zealand-based keyboardist and producer Ed Zuccollo.

Of her photographic project Wendy writes:

Several thousand photos from about 250 gigs over 10 years or so; that’s a small, small glimpse into a big, big world of music, more varied and vibrant than we can imagine. But go ahead and imagine it anyway. It’s all happening out there still; the music’s playing right now.

Good lighting needs no edits, no filters. Lucky me: these days a camera can do most of your thinking for you, and faster. Point and shoot. That approach freed me to focus on all the rest; where to shoot from, who to snap, how far to zoom in, how to frame up, when to press that button, when to move on, how to deal with the crowds
and bouncers and drunks. It’s a busy game ...