新西兰英语 274 New Zealand Music Month

　　Today was the beginning of New Zealand music month. Every May for the last 10 years, New Zealand has celebrated¹ our own music. The Auckland band, Opshop, decided² to do something different to celebrate 10 years of New Zealand Music month. They hired a 50-seat plane – with help from sponsors – and played 10 gigs in one day in 10 different places.
The first gig was at Christchurch airport at 6am this morning. The plane then flew to Timaru for gig number 2, then it circled over Mt Cook while the band played gig number 3. They landed next at Hokitika, then Nelson. Then they flew to the North Island. Gig number 5 was in Wanganui from 2.05pm to 2.25pm. Next was Hastings, then Gisborne, then Hamilton and finally Auckland for their last gig. Each gig, except the last, was 20 minutes long. All were free.
Some people were lucky enough to win seats on the plane to travel with the band.
The band released their Pins and Needles video today too. Opshop is a four-man rock band which has been very popular in New Zealand and overseas for the last seven years. Their two albums You are Here, and Second-Hand³ Planet have sold more than 1m copies each.
Their website is www.opshopmusic.com. Also look at http://www.nzmusicmonth.co.nz/
to find out more about New Zealand music month.
Questions to think about
Does a band have to travel overseas if it wants to sell albums?
Why do we have New Zealand Music Month?

1 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。

2 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

3 second-hand   

adj.用过的，旧的，二手的

参考例句：

• I got this book by chance at a second-hand bookshop.我赶巧在一家旧书店里买到这本书。
• They will put all these second-hand goods up for sale.他们将把这些旧货全部公开出售。