Elizabeth Kerr Photo: Supplied
Photo: Five Lines
She may not like the label “critic”, but music reviewer Elizabeth Kerr does believe criticism, or at least a healthy discourse, is a vital part of our arts environment.
The former head of RNZ Concert (back when it was Concert FM) and experienced arts administrator and writer, now has her own reviewing website Fine Lines.
For many years, Elizabeth wrote reviews for the NZ Listener, but when the previous owners of the magazine temporarily shut it down in the early days of the Covid pandemic, she decided to keep writing on her own website.
She told RNZ Concert's Three to Seven host Bryan Crump that New Zealand’s music and arts scene needs good reviewing.
Elizabeth says she’s not a fan of scathing criticism. She hopes her reviews help performers to overcome any flaws, rather than undermine their confidence.
"I'm not trying to pull people down, I'm trying to build people up and champion their work."
"I guess that's in my my mind as part of my intention with Five Lines: I want to tell people about what's going on, I want to praise what's good, and if there's something that I have reservations about, I'm going to make that point with a light touch."
