It’s been a summer to remember for L.A.B.  

Last year they announced a run of three outdoor concerts over the summer, with one in Tauranga, one over the ditch in the Gold Coast, and the final one in Auckland. 

The first two shows saw rave reviews, and this weekend will see L.A.B return to Auckland for the first time in four years, performing alongside Stan Walker. 

Four years is quite a stretch, but L.A.B Frontman Joel Shadbolt confessed he hadn’t realised it’d been that long. 

“We’ve been doing lots of stuff overseas, so we’ve been over to the States a couple of times,” he explained. 

“But in regards to New Zealand shows, we just, we’ve been hitting the, y’know, the smaller cities, the smaller towns.” 

“This year we thought, yeah, we’d better come back up to the big smoke.”  

Shadbolt described the band’s partnership with Walker as a “good musical marriage”. 

He told Hosking that their bands complement each other, and they’ve got a good crossover with the demographic. 

“He’s just an incredible singer, and you know, a great guy to jam with.” 

LISTEN ABOVE 

It’s been a summer to remember for L.A.B. &nbsp;
Last year they announced a run of three outdoor concerts over the summer, with one in Tauranga, one over the ditch in the Gold Coast, and the final one in Auckland.&nbsp;
The first two shows saw rave reviews, and this weekend will see L.A.B return to Auckland for the first time in four years, performing alongside Stan Walker.&nbsp;
Four years is quite a stretch, but L.A.B Frontman Joel Shadbolt confessed he hadn’t realised it’d been that long.&nbsp;
“We’ve been doing lots of stuff overseas, so we’ve been over to the States a couple of times,” he explained.&nbsp;
“But in regards to New Zealand shows, we just, we’ve been hitting the, y’know, the smaller cities, the smaller towns.”&nbsp;
“This year we thought, yeah, we’d better come back up to the big smoke.” &nbsp;
Shadbolt described the band’s partnership with Walker as a “good musical marriage”.&nbsp;
He told Hosking that their bands complement each other, and they’ve got a good crossover with the demographic.&nbsp;
“He’s just an incredible singer, and you know, a great guy to jam with.”&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Open your mind to the world with New Zealand’s number one breakfast radio show.

Without question, as New Zealand’s number one talk host, Mike Hosking sets the day’s agenda.

The sharpest voice and mind in the business, Mike drives strong opinion, delivers the best talent, and always leaves you wanting more.

The Mike Hosking Breakfast always cuts through and delivers the best daily on Newstalk ZB.

Open your mind to the world with New Zealand’s number one breakfast radio show. Without question, as New Zealand’s number one talk host, Mike Hosking sets the day’s agenda. The sharpest voice and mind in the business, Mike drives strong opinion, delivers the best talent, and always leaves you wanting more. The Mike Hosking Breakfast always cuts through and delivers the best daily on Newstalk ZB.

Open your mind to the world with New Zealand’s number one breakfast radio show.

Without question, as New Zealand’s number one talk host, Mike Hosking sets the day’s agenda.

The sharpest voice and mind in the business, Mike drives strong opinion,...

The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Joel Shadbolt: L.A.B Frontman on their summer concerts, first Auckland show in 4 years

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/f0834828-ce16-4629-b905-b3de01578316/transcript

Another country is looking to ban social media for children: France. 

The French Parliament is due to vote on a bill that would block social media platforms such as Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok for those under the age of 15.  

Another clause would also ban the use of mobile phones in senior schools. 

France Correspondent Catherine Field told Mike Hosking the bill is on a fast-track procedure, and it looks as though it will pass. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Another country is looking to ban social media for children: France.&nbsp;
The French Parliament is due to vote on a bill that would block social media platforms such as Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok for those under the age of 15. &nbsp;
Another clause would also ban the use of mobile phones in senior schools.&nbsp;
France Correspondent Catherine Field told Mike Hosking the bill is on a fast-track procedure, and it looks as though it will pass.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Catherine Field: France Correspondent on Parliament voting on a bill banning social media for under-15s

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/20fb0476-bd82-4963-9783-b3de015d6c60/transcript

Kudos to Phillip Mills. 

He of the gym empire and, as it turns out, this election year's star turn in the donation department. 

His money for the Opportunity Party is the first large declared donation. 

I like it for a couple of reasons. Business owners and leaders too often display a fear when it comes to views and support and commentary. 

I learned it sadly during Covid. The anger privately never matched the anger publicly from some of the nation's biggest names and businesses, because they feared retribution from the Government of the day. 

Mills, like any owner, especially in this day and age, risks pushback from a public he wants to give him money to turn up at his place to pump iron. 

It's way easier to keep your head down, so good on him. 

Sadly, he has wasted his money. But that is the beauty of election year and democracy – we are all free to do the same. 

TOP will not make it the way Mills thinks they will. 

Personally, I kind of hope I'm wrong. The whole MMP “thing” was about greater representation and if TOP cracked it, I would be pleased to see another player. 

Sadly, it is not to be because TOP are too nuanced and there is no obvious gap to fill. They are the middle of the road music station looking to find a spot between the Hits, Coast, and the Breeze. Except unlike radio where entry is free, in politics you need 5%, and 5% is a lot. 

As I have said before, the Gareth Morgan era was their opening. The easier route is an electorate with plenty of choice already, get a high profile player like Morgan, split the vote, win the seat and the coattail at about 2% might get you not one, but two MPs. 

They have no Morgans. Even Raf Manji, who ran in Christchurch last time and had some profile, didn’t do it. 

So as we sit here this morning, dollars to donuts, you can't even name the leader or any member of the party. 

And as for their polices, they are a mix of obscure and overlap. In other words, a lot of what they think is already in the Parliament if that’s what you want. 

In simple terms, our Parliament is full. Six parties are all we want. 

Phillip has $50,000 that says I'm wrong. But of all the predictions I will make this year, this is right up there on the confidence scale. 

Kudos to Phillip Mills.&nbsp;
He of the gym empire and, as it turns out, this election year's star turn in the donation department.&nbsp;
His money for the Opportunity Party is the first large declared donation.&nbsp;
I like it for a couple of reasons. Business owners and leaders too often display a fear when it comes to views and support and commentary.&nbsp;
I learned it sadly during Covid. The anger privately never matched the anger publicly from some of the nation's biggest names and businesses, because they feared retribution from the Government of the day.&nbsp;
Mills, like any owner, especially in this day and age, risks pushback from a public he wants to give him money to turn up at his place to pump iron.&nbsp;
It's way easier to keep your head down, so good on him.&nbsp;
Sadly, he has wasted his money. But that is the beauty of election year and democracy – we are all free to do the same.&nbsp;
TOP will not make it the way Mills thinks they will.&nbsp;
Personally, I kind of hope I'm wrong. The whole MMP “thing” was about greater representation and if TOP cracked it, I would be pleased to see another player.&nbsp;
Sadly, it is not to be because TOP are too nuanced and there is no obvious gap to fill. They are the middle of the road music station looking to find a spot between the Hits, Coast, and the Breeze. Except unlike radio where entry is free, in politics you need 5%, and 5% is a lot.&nbsp;
As I have said before, the Gareth Morgan era was their opening. The easier route is an electorate with plenty of choice already, get a high profile player like Morgan, split the vote, win the seat and the coattail at about 2% might get you not one, but two MPs.&nbsp;
They have no Morgans. Even Raf Manji, who ran in Christchurch last time and had some profile, didn’t do it.&nbsp;
So as we sit here this morning, dollars to donuts, you can't even name the leader or any member of the party.&nbsp;
And as for their polices, they are a mix of obscure and overlap. In other words, a lot of what they think is already in the Parliament if that’s what you want.&nbsp;
In simple terms, our Parliament is full. Six parties are all we want.&nbsp;
Phillip has $50,000 that says I'm wrong. But of all the predictions I will make this year, this is right up there on the confidence scale.&nbsp;

Mike's Minute: My first election year prediction

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/f9325ddc-f350-4513-9e08-b3de0159fc63/transcript

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 27th of January, we take a look at what’s happening with the Government’s retail crime advisory group after three of its five members resigned.  

The Prime Minister is on after Auckland Anniversary to discuss the response to the severe weather damage, Winston Peters’ comments on WHO, and when electioneering will begin.  

And L.A.B frontman Joel Shadbolt is back to talk their summer of concerts and this weekend’s performance in Auckland – the first in four years.  

Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 27th of January, we take a look at what’s happening with the <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/paul-goldsmith-justice-minister-on-the-resignations-of-three-of-five-of-the-retail-crime-ministerial-advisory-group-members/">Government’s retail crime advisory group</a> after three of its five members resigned. &nbsp;
<a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/christopher-luxon-prime-minister-on-the-support-and-recovery-funding-for-areas-impacted-by-severe-weather/">The Prime Minister</a> is on after Auckland Anniversary to discuss the response to the severe weather damage, Winston Peters’ comments on WHO, and when electioneering will begin. &nbsp;
And L.A.B frontman Joel Shadbolt is back to talk their summer of concerts and this weekend’s performance in Auckland – the first in four years. &nbsp;
Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Full Show Podcast: 27 January 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/b027532d-c516-4aa8-8ea7-b3de014c9084/transcript

Joel Shadbolt: L.A.B Frontman on their summer concerts, first Auckland show in 4 years

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