Rise Against guitarist Zach Blair is preparing for the band’s upcoming performances in New Zealand, marking their return to Christchurch and Auckland in November. The shows, part of a tour alongside fellow punk veterans Dropkick Murphys, will be the first time the two groups have toured together despite a long-standing friendship.
Blair, who joined the Chicago-based Rise Against in 2007, reflects on nearly two decades with the band, noting this is the longest tenure he’s had with any single group. Now 51, he acknowledges the privilege of continuing to make music and perform live, emphasizing that he intends to keep playing “until I can’t any more,” citing legendary acts such as the Rolling Stones as examples of musicians who have maintained their careers into later life.
The guitarist expressed concern about the rising influence of artificial intelligence in music production. While he does not personally use AI beyond basic online searches, Blair worries that AI-generated compositions could replace human songwriters in commercial contexts, such as film scoring, potentially undermining musicians’ livelihoods. However, he believes live performances remain irreplaceable, highlighting the unique connection between artist and audience during concerts.
Rise Against’s return to New Zealand is punctuated by memories of previous visits, especially to Christchurch, where Blair was struck by the city’s recovery after the 2011 earthquake. He recalled the image of the damaged cathedral supported by scaffolding and praised the resilience of its residents. The band’s last Christchurch show in March 2024 went ahead at the Christchurch Town Hall despite the cancellation of a planned joint appearance with Blink-182, underscoring their commitment to their fans.
Blair also touched on the band’s enduring engagement with political and social issues, particularly those related to immigration policies under the Trump administration. With family ties to Mexico through his wife, immigration remains a personal and important topic for him. Although the band’s lead vocalist Tim McIlrath writes all lyrics, deliberately leaving them open to interpretation, Blair confirmed that such themes continue to be part of their music’s core message.
Regarding his personal lifestyle, Blair has maintained a straight edge and vegetarian lifestyle since his youth, initially adopting these choices as a form of rebellion and for health reasons. However, he has grown critical of how the straight edge movement can sometimes alienate others, emphasizing his intention was never to create division.
The upcoming shows will take place on November 21 at Christchurch’s Wolfbrook Arena and November 24 at Auckland’s Spark Arena. The tour offers an opportunity for both longtime fans and new listeners to experience Rise Against’s energetic live performance alongside Dropkick Murphys. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.