Actress, businesswoman, and philanthropist Priscilla Presley, has today announced two dates for An Evening with Priscilla Presley, Life After Elvis in Ōtautahi Christchurch and Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. This news follows the release of Priscilla’s long-awaited memoir Softly, As I Leave You, a deeply personal story of what Priscilla lost and what she found when she walked away from Elvis Presley, the man she loved.
On Wednesday November 19, An Evening with Priscilla Presley, Life After Elvis will be visiting the Isaac Theatre Royal in Ōtautahi Christchurch before heading to the Bruce Mason Centre on Thursday November 20 in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
My Live Nation members will also be able to secure tickets during the presale which commences on Monday, September 1 at 1pm until Tuesday, September 2 at 1pm local time. Fans can register for access at livenation.co.nz.
Tickets for An Evening with Priscilla Presley, Life After Elvis will be available to purchase by the General Public on Tuesday, September 2 at 2pm local time.
Tickets and further information at livenation.co.nz.
Priscilla Presley’s impact on popular culture extends beyond her association with Elvis. She has established herself as a prominent actress, businesswoman, and philanthropist. Her efforts to preserve Elvis’s legacy and her own achievements in various fields have solidified her place in history.
Priscilla Presley became an instant audience favorite portraying Jenna Wade on Dallas, the most successful evening "soap opera" style television drama of its time. During her five years on the series, she generated mass audience appeal, becoming one of the show's most popular leading ladies. Priscilla then displayed her comedic talents in the box office smash The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! reprising her role in The Naked Gun 2½ and The Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult.
Beyond acting, Priscilla has been a shrewd businesswoman. In 1979, Priscilla became co-executor of the Presley Estate and has since brought the Presley Estate from a burgeoning entity into a phenomenally successful organization consisting of the famous Graceland Mansion, a worldwide licensing program, merchandising, music publishing, and television and video projects. In 2005, EPE (Elvis Presley Enterprises) partnered with Bob Sillerman and CKX Entertainment to build and extend the Graceland brand worldwide. Priscilla sat on the CKX Board as a director. With that relationship dissolving in 2013, the company now partners with private company ABG (Authentic Brand Group) to help with the expansion of Elvis’ popularity globally. She has played a crucial role in helping preserve Elvis’s legacy and turning Graceland into one of the most visited homes in America.
Priscilla continues to be a steward for the Elvis Presley legacy. Serving as an executive producer, she was closely involved in the creation and development of two No. 1 Elvis Presley albums (If I Can Dream & The Wonder of You) and a sold-out UK & European live concert arena tour. In keeping with Priscilla’s passion for revitalizing Elvis’s hometown, she actively oversaw the design elements for The Guest House at Graceland, a new hotel which opened in Memphis in Fall 2016. The property marked the largest hotel project in Memphis in nearly 100 years, and it’s helped infuse additional economic prosperity in the city as well as offer a new cultural experience for its visitors.
Priscilla has recently been involved in two notable film projects related to her life with Elvis Presley. She served as an executive producer for the award-winning film Elvis (2022), directed by Baz Luhrmann. The film Priscilla (2023), directed by Sofia Coppola, was an adaptation of Priscilla’s memoir Elvis and Me, which details her life with Elvis. She also was an Executive Producer on the Sony/Netflix animated series Agent King, fulfilling the dream of Elvis always wanting to be a federal secret agent.
Born in New York, her father's career as an Air Force officer enabled the family to travel extensively. She attended high school in Wiesbaden, West Germany, where she met her future husband, Elvis Presley. Although Priscilla and Elvis divorced in 1973, they remained very close until the time of his death.
For 25 years Priscilla has continued to her work as an Ambassador to the Dream Foundation, the only charity that grants final wishes to terminally ill adults.
Priscilla continues to be a beloved figure, admired for her resilience, business acumen, and dedication to maintaining the legacy of the King of Rock and Roll.
KELI HOLIDAY BRINGS THE PARTY TO NZ WITH NEW HIT AND SPECIAL GUESTS
With his new single Dancing2already lighting up dancefloors and streaming feeds, Keli Holiday is set to bring the party across Aotearoa this September. If you need a dance, this is the artist you need to see.
Holiday will play three headline dates across New Zealand, kicking off in Ōtautahi Christchurch at Loons on Wednesday 10 September with Lucy Gray, before heading to Pōneke Wellington on Thursday 11 September at San Fran with First Reserve, and wrapping things up in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland at The Tuning Fork on Friday 12 September with Sam Cullen.
Tickets for Keli Holiday’s tour are on sale now at livenation.co.nz.
DANCING 2
LISTEN HERE / WATCH HERE
KELI HOLIDAY - NEW ZEALAND 2025
LOONS, CHRISTCHURCH
WITH LUCY GRAY
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10
SAN FRAN, WELLINGTON
WITH FIRST RESERVE
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11
TUNING FORK, AUCKLAND
WITH SAM CULLEN
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
For complete tour & ticket information, visit: livenation.co.nz
KID CUDI, TURNSTILE, WILKINSON HEADLINE FIRST RELEASE FOR RHYTHM AND VINES
Kiwis on the pursuit of happiness would have found it today with the announcement of Brooklyn rapper KID CUDI headlining the 23rd edition of Rhythm and Vines. Along with 48 other acts announced on the first lineup release, the first release features first ever Hardcore punk headliners for the festival in TURNSTILE, American rapper 070 SHAKE, youtube star and electronic producer MARC REBILLET, live set from UK electronic music duo MARIBOU STATE, and the return of fan favourites L.A.B. Drum and Bass producer WILKINSON, the king of Waiohika Estate, will be headlining New Year’s Eve and bringing festival fans into 2026.
The first release of acts includes:
KID CUDI, TURNSTILE, WILKINSON, 070 SHAKE, KANINE, L.A.B, MARIBOU STATE, MARC REBILLET, A-TRAK, CYRIL, EMILY MAKIS, ESHA TEWARI, FCUKERS, GOOD NEIGHBOURS, HOME BREW, INJI, JANE REMOVER, MOZEY, NOTION, SAM GELLAITRY, SKEPSIS, SOTA, SWIMMING PAUL, 1TBSP, BL3SS, CLUB ANGEL, CORRELLA, GRAY, HORI SHAW, LANCE SAVALI, LINSKA, NED BENNETT, SEX MASK, TE WEHI, ATARANGI, BORDERLINE, COAST ARCADE, CORNERS, ELLA MONNERY, EMERSON, INMOTION, LIBERTY, MIKEYY, REASXN, THERE'S A TUESDAY, VITAMIN COS, WHERE’S JAI, PIRAPUS PRESENTS F U T U R E
KID CUDI is a Grammy-winning artist, actor, and cultural innovator from Cleveland whose honesty and genre-bending sound redefined hip-hop for a generation. Breaking through with ‘Day ’n’ Nite’ and ‘Man on the Moon: The End of Day’, he became the voice of a new era, blending rap, rock, and alternative influences while opening up conversations around mental health and vulnerability in music. Over the years, he’s built a genre of his own—shaping culture not just through his albums, but also through film, fashion, and television. With each project, Kid Cudi continues to challenge himself creatively and push the boundaries of what an artist can be. This will be Kid Cudi’s debut performance at Rhythm and Vines,
TURNSTILE is a hardcore punk band formed in Baltimore, Maryland, in 2010. They are known for their blend of aggressive hardcore with elements of metalcore, and their willingness to experiment with different sounds. The band has released four studio albums, several EPs, and has gained critical and commercial success, including Grammy nominations and rave reviews from their recent Glastonbury performance.
MARIBOU STATE is an English electronic music duo formed by Chris Davids and Liam Ivory, celebrated for their lush blend of electronica, soul, and world-inspired sounds. Emerging in the early 2010s, they have released two critically acclaimed albums — Portraits and Kingdoms in Colour — which showcase their signature mix of textured beats, live instrumentation, and atmospheric production. With collaborations ranging from Khruangbin to Holly Walker, and a reputation for immersive live performances that bring their studio craft to life, Maribou State has become a festival favourite and a leading name in forward-thinking electronic music.
MARC REBILLET is an improvisational producer and artist from Dallas, Texas. World famous for his eccentric live mixing of entertaining and often hilarious performances, distributed primarily through YouTube videos and Twitch live streams using a loop station, keyboard, vocals and percussion instruments to produce his songs in his apartment. In 2007, Rebillet first went viral after being interviewed on Fox 4 in Dallas, while lining up to be the first to buy an iPhone during its initial release.
070 SHAKE thrives in the shadows. The boundaryless New Jersey artist crafts uniquely nocturnal songs. Her 2022 song Escapism, having frequently appeared on hooks for veteran rappers like Kanye West, Nas and Pusha T, bringing her piercing lyrics and sentimental vocals to powerful rap songs. And across her solo efforts, she’s demonstrated poise and vulnerability, as well as a dedication to going to uncomfortable places, writing moving songs about romantic entanglements and infidelity.
Drum and Bass is served up on a platter of 175bpm across all 3 days. From WILKINSON, KANINE, EMILY MAKIS, MOZEY, SKEPSIS and SOTA. The F U T U R E of drum and bass will also be presented in a new light by Kiwi legends PIRAPUS. More details to be released shortly. And for those looking for a buffet style dinner of electronic music across 3 main stages, leading names in electronic music include NOTION, NED BENNETT, SWIMMING PAUL, JANE REMOVER and more.
Local reggae and hip hop is covered by the return of L.A.B, HOME BREW, and CORRELLA. With an impressive 14 Aotearoa Music Awards between them, these legendary artists will bring the iconic sound of the Kiwi summer to Gisborne for the summer.
Building on the festival's reputation for introducing new talent. Newcomers include TE WEHI, HORI SHAW, BORDERLINE, MIKEYYand THERE’S A TUESDAY. Making his festival debut is the iconic LANCE SAVALI. Lance has built an international reputation performing with some of the world’s biggest stars, including Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Jennifer Lopez. However, it’s his music that has been making waves, with his track ‘Devotion’ one of the highest stream electronic tracks of the year.
With close to 100 acts tipped to perform at Rhythm and Vines, the first release certainly gives festival fans a mouth watering taste of what is to come.
FESTIVAL PASSES
All Earlybird and First Release tickets sold out earlier this year. A limited allocation of tickets have been made available to One NZ and R&V customers below
One NZ Customers can access 24 Hour ticket offer 5:30pm until Wed, August 27 5:30pm. Head to one.nz/rewards
R&V fans and subscribers can access an exclusive ticket offer from Wed, Aug 27 6:30pm.
Tickets go onsale to the General Public on Thursday August 28 10:30am.
ABOUT RHYTHM AND VINES
Since 2003, over 375,000 Kiwis and international travellers have unlocked their rite of passage - the journey that is Rhythm and Vines.
Held each year at the stunning Waiohika Estate, on the East Coast of New Zealand, in the beautiful township of Tairāwhiti |Gisborne. Be one of the first in the world to welcome the first sunrise at one of the world's premier music festivals. The award winning music festival opens up to campers from December 28, with the festival officially kicking off on December 29, through to the first sunrise on January 1.
This will be the 23rd edition of Rhythm and Vines.
The festival successfully raised $40,000 for the Gisborne Mayoral Relief Fund and will now focus it’s fundrasing efforts to SugerGrans Tairāwhiti. In the years prior to the Gisborne floods, Rhythm and Vines successfully raised over $62,500 for Lifeline.
Full lineup and ticketing information available at rhythmandvines.co.nz
NEW ZEALAND’S MUST-SEE MUSICAL IN 2026! HIT POP MUSICAL & JULIET TO TAKE THE STAGE IN AUCKLAND, WELLINGTON AND CHRISTCHURCH IN 2026
The smash-hit musical that took the West End and Broadway by storm is coming to Aotearoa in 2026.
& Juliet will make its highly anticipated New Zealand debut, with strictly limited seasons at three of the country’s most iconic venues: The Civic in Auckland from April 9, St James Theatre in Wellington from May 9, and Isaac Theatre Royal in Christchurch from May 30.
Presented by G&T Productions, & Juliet flips the script on the greatest love story ever told, asking: what if Juliet chose her own fate, instead of following Romeo’s?
Created by Emmy® Award-winning Schitt’s Creek writer David West Read, & Juliet is a hilarious and poignant story of self-discovery, empowerment and second chances. Paired with a playlist of era-defining pop anthems by legendary songwriter Max Martin and friends, the result is a heart-bursting musical that proves there’s life after Romeo.
After premiering on the West End and earning a staggering 8 x Olivier Awards nominations, & Juliet has also been one of the most unexpected and spectacular theatrical triumphs on Broadway, with Forbes Magazine saying: “This is easily the best musical of the year”.
Grant Meese from G&T Productions says: “ We couldn’t be more excited to bring & Juliet to Kiwi audiences. This is a show that is electrifying - it’s smart, funny and bursting with iconic hits, all brought to life by some of New Zealand’s finest actors and creatives. We can’t wait for New Zealanders to experience the magic.”
Director Hamish Mouat adds: “New Zealand audiences are in for an incredible treat with this premiere production of & Juliet coming to our three biggest centres. With its iconic score of top of the charts pop music, you can't help but fall in love with & Juliet . To be able to bring such an electric musical to our shores, that will be jam-packed with unbelievable Kiwi talent, is extremely exciting. You won't want to miss it!”
Alongside this laugh-out-loud and heart-warming story, comes a playlist of songs that is truly second to none in the world of pop music including, ‘Since U Been Gone’, ‘Roar’, ‘…Baby One More Time’, ‘Larger Than Life’,‘Can’t Stop the Feeling’ and much more! & Juliet creates a mind-blowing concert-like atmosphere that Broadway World said: “Will blow your mind. It’s the pop musical we’ve been waiting for”.
A New Zealand cast will be announced later this year, bringing fresh local talent to this global phenomenon.
Get ready, New Zealand. & Juliet is the pop musical event of 2026 - and it’s anything but a tragedy. Tickets on sale now. Auckland and Wellington tickets from Ticketmaster. Christchurch tickets available from Ticketek.
ART IN THE PARK RETURNS TO EDEN PARK - BIGGER, BOLDER, AND MORE IMMERSIVE THAN EVER
This September, Eden Park will once again transform into the country’s most unexpected art gallery, as Art in the Park returns from 19 – 21 September 2025.
Across three unforgettable days, New Zealand’s national stadium becomes a world-class stage for more than 130 of the country’s leading and emerging artists, showcasing over 3000+ works from large-scale sculpture and photography to painting, prints, and digital art. Now in its biggest year yet, the event has grown to become Australasia’s largest curated artist-led exhibition and sale, drawing thousands of art lovers, families, and collectors alike.
Across the weekend discover the diverse range of established and emerging painters, sculptors, photographers exhibiting at Art in the Park with this year’s event seeing works exhibited from celebrated NZ artists Sofia Minson, Weston Frizzell and Jimmy James Koratorus, showcasing collectors pieces and iconic kiwi art. Established talents like Janice Napper, Christian Nicholson, Anna Gibbs, Matt Griffin, Tim Christie, Juliet Best and Flox will be exhibiting newly created collections just for the show. This years’ new and emerging talents, the ones to watch, include Chloe Blades, Jessica Gurnsey, Tyla Bow, Xavier Heath and Josh Kiwikiwi.
“Eden Park has always been a blank canvas for creativity, and Art in the Park is the perfect example of how our national stadium can be reimagined,” said Nick Sautner, Eden Park CEO. “Now in its fifth year, the event isn’t just an exhibition - it’s an experience. Where else can you walk the hallowed turf of Eden Park while surrounded by sculptures, meet the artists behind the works, and take home an original piece of Kiwi creativity? Each year it grows bigger, bolder and more immersive, putting art and culture on a world stage while showcasing Eden Park’s role as a community asset for Auckland and a strategic asset for New Zealand. It is a privilege to welcome such iconic work back to our national stadium.”
This year for the first time ever, guests will be invited alongside Eden Park’s hallowed turf for the debut of the Summerset Sculpture walk, encountering 90 awe-inspiring sculptures in a once-in-a-lifetime setting.
Those looking for something a little more immersive are invited to unleash their inner rebel with NZ's first Virtual Graffiti Wall and Digital Graffiti Experience. Kids under 14 years are welcomed to visit the wildly popular Creative Corner to create their own masterpiece offering an opportunity for art lovers of all ages to create and play.
Across the weekend hear about your favourite artist's unique creative process and see the art being expertly crafted right in front of your eyes with the Art Talks Series and Art-In-Action pop up event around the stadium.
Adding to the excitement is the Opening Night event, where art and entertainment collide in a dazzling evening of celebration, setting the tone for the weekend ahead.
Over the weekend, art will be available for purchase, so if something catches your eye, you can take it straight home with you from the event. There will also be a dedicated collection desk so you can return to collect artwork the following day, and a shipping service for pieces that need help being transported will be available at an added cost.
Tickets for all sessions are on sale now from www.artinthepark.co.nz
2026 ITM NEW ZEALAND SAIL GRAND PRIX | AUCKLAND SET TO BE LARGEST TICKETED SAILGP EVENT YET
Confirmation of a larger grandstand in the Wynyard Point Race Stadium means next year’s ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Auckland will be the Rolex SailGP Championship’s highest ticketed capacity event yet.
After rewriting the league’s record books for attendance and event experience ratings on debut earlier this year, the Auckland event will be even bigger across Valentine’s Weekend next year with a 30 percent increase in grandstand size to accommodate up to 10,000 fans each day in the purpose-built Race Stadium at Wynyard Point, alongside hospitality and other ticketed products.
Fans will also get to see the largest international fleet to date, with expansion teams set to join the Rolex SailGP Championship from next season.
The 2025 Season ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix saw 25,000 people enjoy the most exciting racing on water across land and water based ticketed viewing options and next year’s event will offer racing fans even more options, including:
First access and exclusive pricing options for SailGP+ members. Fans can sign up here.
The introduction of a child’s price for the Waterfront Grandstand.
A new Waterfront Premium Grandstand offering with all-inclusive food and drinks and exclusive access to the premium Heineken bar.
Grandstand seat selection, allowing fans to choose their seating positions and giving priority to early purchasers.
After strong demand for tickets in 2025 including a sold out Super Sunday and strong pre-sales, fans are advised to get in quickly and join SailGP+ to make sure they get advanced access to tickets along with exclusive pricing for the Waterfront Grandstand for the 2026 event return. The SailGP+ pre-sale window runs from Friday 12 September to Monday 15 September, 2025. Tickets will then be released to the general public on Wednesday 17 September.
SailGP CEO Sir Russell Coutts said, “We were delighted by the way local fans and visitors to the region embraced SailGP’s Auckland debut in 2025, and the 2026 ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix will build even further on that vision. Auckland is designed for the close-to-shore stadium racing that defines the Rolex SailGP Championship, giving fans an unmatched opportunity to be right at the heart of the racing action from Wynyard Point.”
The ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Auckland is delivered in partnership with Tātaki Auckland and New Zealand Major Events, alongside Title Partner ITM. This season’s stop in Auckland (January 2025) demonstrated the sweeping benefits of the event, amassing a significant economic impact for the host region.
Tātaki Auckland Unlimited CEO Nick Hill said, “SailGP was a real highlight of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s summer this year, injecting incredible energy into our downtown waterfront and creating a buzz right across the region. It showcased exactly why events like this belong here, with the Waitematā Harbour providing the perfect stage. Next year’s event promises even more for locals and visitors alike to enjoy and rightfully cementing its place as a highlight of our summer calendar.”
DOJA CAT ANNOUNCES FIRST-EVER ARENA TOUR DATE IN NEW ZEALAND ON ‘MA VIE WORLD TOUR’
GRAMMY award-winning global superstar Doja Cat has today announced the “Ma Vie World Tour”, with one night only confirmed for New Zealand on her first-ever arena tour across the region. It will also include stops in Australia, Manila, Tokyo, and more, before wrapping on Sunday, December 21 in Kaohsiung at Kaohsiung Arena. The announcement follows her highly successful 2023 outing, “The Scarlet Tour”.
The “Ma Vie World Tour” will launch on Tuesday November 18 in Auckland at Spark Arena
Tickets for the New Zealand date will be available starting with an artist presale on Monday August 25 at 10am local time, running until Thursday August 28 at 10am.
One NZ customers can be among the first to secure tickets during a 48-hour presale starting Monday 25 August at 10am. Head to one.nz/music.
Mastercard cardholders have special access to presale tickets in New Zealand. Mastercard Presale starts Monday 25 August at 10am and ends Thursday 28 August at 10am. Plus, Preferred ticket access to some of the best tickets are available from Thursday 28 August at 11am. Check out priceless.com/music for details.
The Live Nation Presale starts Wednesday August 27 at 10am running until Thursday August 28 at 10am or until allocation is exhausted. To access presale tickets, sign up now at livenation.co.nz/register.
General onsale will begin Thursday August 28 at 11am at http://dojacat.com/tour.
All times are local.
The “Ma Vie World Tour” will also offer a variety of different VIP packages and experiences for fans to take their concert adventure to the next level. Packages vary but include tickets, access to the pre-show VIP Lounge, exclusive VIP merch item, early entry into the venue & more. VIP package contents vary based on the offer selected. For more information, visit https://www.livenation.com.au/vipexperiences or https://www.livenation.co.nz/vipexperiences
In further exciting news for fans, Doja Cat returns with her new single and music video “Jealous Type” out now via Kemosabe Records/ RCA Records – click HERE to listen / click HERE to watch. Doja Cat’s new track “Jealous Type” was produced by Jack Antonoff (Taylor Swift, Lorde) and Y2K (Ariana Grande, Tate McRae), with the music video directed by Boni Mata and filmed in Los Angeles. Doja Cat first teased her new track “Jealous Type” in her Summer '25 campaign with Marc Jacobs. “Jealous Type” will appear on her highly anticipated fifth studio album, Vie, which is slated for release on September 26th. Pre-save album HERE.
Most recently, Doja Cat headlined the 2025 Outside Lands Music Festival in San Francisco, CA. During her electrifying set, she surprised fans by debuting “Jealous Type” live on stage. Following her performance, she hosted a surprise album listening after-party at San Francisco’s legendary drag venue, Oasis, where a select group of fans received an exclusive first listen to tracks from her forthcoming album, Vie.
Last year, Doja Cat released her deluxe album Scarlet 2 CLAUDE. The deluxe featured previously released hits such as “Attention”, “Paint The Town Red”, “Agora Hills”, alongside a collection of brand-new tracks and features. Doja Cat’s hit single “Paint The Town Red” spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming the first rap song to reach the top spot in 2023. The track also held the No. 1 position on the Billboard Global 200 chart for four consecutive weeks. Additionally, her fan-favorite track “Agora Hills” reached No. 1 on Top 40 Radio in February 2024, marking her eighth No. 1 at the format. “Agora Hills” also peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
AUCKLAND LIVE ADDS FREE ART INSTALLATION ‘CHECKMATE’ TO ‘WE THE YOUNG’ FESTIVAL PROGRAMME
This September, Aotea Square will transform into a larger-than-life game board as Checkmate, a colossal interactive chess-inspired installation, lands as part of Auckland Live’s brand new Youth arts festival, We The Young.
Created by internationally renowned artists Amigo & Amigo, Checkmate invites visitors of all ages to step inside a whimsical world where oversized Bauhaus-inspired chess pieces tower above the crowd. More than just a game, it’s a chance to immerse yourself in art, design, and movement - for free.
Opening Saturday 13 September, and running until Sunday 5 October, this bold installation is one of over 20 performances, workshops and activations across We The Young, Auckland Live’s first ever arts festival created exclusively for tamariki and rangatahi. With interactive art, family-friendly theatre, and loads of outdoor fun, We The Young is set to take over the city’s iconic venues including Aotea Centre, Aotea Square, and Auckland Town Hall.
Daniel Clarke, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited Director of Performing Arts, leading Auckland Live says: “Checkmate is a brilliant example of the kind of interactive art we’re proud to bring to public spaces through We The Young. It’s playful and beautifully crafted - inviting tamariki, rangatahi, and their whānau to experience creativity on a monumental scale. This installation captures the spirit of the festival: imaginative, inclusive, and unforgettable.”
Alongside Checkmate, the We The Young line-up features a playful mix of performances and experiences for all ages. Highlights include Creation Creation, a big-hearted theatre work tackling life’s biggest mysteries through real interviews; Paper Planet, an enchanting interactive forest installation; and The Tantrum, a joyful dance-theatre show exploring childhood emotions. Little ones can enjoy Up and Away, a gentle sensory performance for pre-walking babies, while Pīpī Paopao brings waiata and Te Taiao to life through te reo Māori.
There’s also The Imaginarium, a one-day creative sensory experience for Disabled and non-disabled youth, the epic Stand Up Stand Out youth talent final, and physical theatre workshops from Massive Company. For those at home, The Valentina offers a magical illustrated audio journey through space. A variety of free experiences can be enjoyed including A Taste of Art Battle – Young Guns, Little Language Lounge, and a live 95bFM Kids Show broadcast, along with free outdoor fun in Aotea Square, including Dance-O-Mat.
With tickets across the festival priced to keep experiences accessible, and over half of them completely free, We The Young promises to be a landmark new fixture on Auckland’s arts calendar.
Tickets and programme details at www.aucklandlive.co.nz/event/we-the-young.
SUPPORT ANNOUNCED FOR SACHI’S AUCKLAND AND WELLINGTON SHOWS
One of New Zealand's most celebrated live acts, dance music duo SACHI have today announced a list of supporting artists across their August shows in Pōneke and Tāmaki Makaurau. August will see SACHI head toPōneke, Wellington’s San Fran on Thursday, August 21, followed by Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland’s Studio the Venue on Saturday, August 23. Tickets are still available but selling fast - available to purchase by the General Public now for both shows at livenation.co.nz.
Support acts in Pōneke include electronic trailblazers BRODERBEATS b2b FFAR and Dani Kotrotsos. In Tāmaki Makaurau, we’ll see the energy continue with sets from Mikeyy b2b Tuid and Vitamin Cos b2b Jamil Śabda, setting audiences up for SACHI.
Aware of the abundance of talent in the electronic scene in Aotearoa, SACHI took to their social media to gather recommendations of artists in Auckland and Wellington to open these shows. With the post garnering impressive pickup, the support acts were hand-picked by the boys who are thrilled to have them on board.
SACHI add:
“We are so pumped to have such an incredible lineup of opening DJ's going back to back on this tour. We put the call out to the community to comment their favourite artists and the response was absolutely mad! So we decided to go even harder and give more artists an opportunity to be part of this - get ready for some never before seen B2B sets in Welly and Auckland."
Dominating festivals not only in New Zealand but around the world, their success has even seen the pair become the first New Zealand act to play at Belgium’s Tomorrowland festival — one of the most prestigious electronic music festivals in the world.
One of the duo’s earliest champions was renowned producer Diplo. The duo, consisting of Will Thomas and Nick Chrisp, found him on the streets of Auckland, New Zealand and slipped a USB through the window of his SUV. Their efforts paid off when he soon responded and offered a coveted co-sign by playing early tracks No More and Hold On on his Diplo & Friends BBC Radio 1 Show. In the aftermath, SACHI exploded as a homegrown phenomenon, achieving two chart-topping platinum-certified singles, No More and Shelter, as well as an official remix of Lorde’s hit single Green Light alongside Montell2099.
Between 2016 and 2021, SACHI rolled out a series of three EPs: Lunch With Bianca, Nights With Ruby, and Breakfast With Ella, amassing more than 50 million streams across the trio of projects. Each of the EPs’ title characters represents a different phase of SACHI’s discography — from their introduction on Lunch With Bianca, to establishing themselves internationally on Nights With Ruby (created while living in LA pre-pandemic), to the full-circle evolution of their most refined and lustrous body of work to date, Breakfast With Ella. While each project takes listeners on an eclectic journey traversing club-ready BPMs from dazzling four-on-the-floor disco-house rhythms to euphoric powerhouse dance-pop hooks, the thread tying each installment of the celebrated trilogy together is found in SACHI’s intention to create dance music whose emotion is as convincing as its ability to make you move.
2023 saw SACHI tour their headline show across their home territory to sold-out crowds and introduced “CLUB SACHI” — a sold-out three-date 360 club experience for fans. Collaborating closely with Human Person, the LA-based creative house behind Swedish House Mafia, SZA, and Billie Eilish’s touring live shows, SACHI’s live show has been elevated to surreal new heights. “Ever since we started making music, we wanted to create moments to share with friends,” the boys explain. “We want to give everyone an uplifting and euphoric experience. Our music paints this picture of different energies coming together as a whole.”
After back-to-back New Zealand festival headline sets this past summer, SACHI are working towards their highly anticipated new music, which promises to return to the heart of their rave-oriented roots while always continuing to keep their audience guessing — they might even get a sneak peek of this magic during these upcoming tour dates.
WINNERS ANNOUNCED: 2025 PLAY IT STRANGE NATIONAL SONGWRITING COMPETITION
Play It Strange is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2025 National Songwriting Competition for high school students in Year 9-13, sponsored by The Lion Foundation. This year’s competition attracted a record-breaking 474 entries, a testament to the array of passion, creativity and talent among Aotearoa’s next generation of songwriters.
Play It Strange CEO, Stephanie Brown states:
“Knowing that 474 young songwriters and bands across the motu have written songs, finished songs, and had the confidence to submit them to a competition is truly mindblowing. It is a privilege for us to see inside the hearts and minds of rangatahi across Aotearoa. The quality of entries was truly outstanding, which is why we are recording 74 finalists this year: the most recordings out of any of our competitions, ever, since we started in 2003”.
Each song was reviewed by their panel of nine respected judges: Troy Kingi, Mike Chunn, PAIGE, Elliette Roslin (Founder of Elliette's Music Academy) Laughton Kora, KINGS, Matt Kidd (Co-Managing Director at Universal Music NZ), Josh Fountain andRebel Reid, who will also go on to mentor the winner. They are proud to share that from these entries; 74 outstanding songs were selected as winners.
All 74 winners receive a $50 Rockshop gift card and a day in a professional recording studio of their choice to record their song, granting them the incredible opportunity to work alongside some of New Zealand’s most recognised producers and engineers. The recorded songs get released onto digital albums via Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp.
First place goes to Salem Māhia Randall from Gisborne Boys High School with his stunning song ‘A girl named Abigail.’
At just 16 years of age, Salem Māhia is a 3-time Play It Strange finalist (in 2023, 2024 and 2025), in 2023 won Rockquest Solo-Duo and in 2022 won Whakaata Māori TV’s singing series 5 Minutes of Fame. You can find his music on Spotify here.
Salem will also receive:
A $10,000 music promotional package from NZ On Air
$1,500 Rockshop gift card
A mentor session with musician and Play It Strange alumni Rebel Reid
A full day in a recording studio of your choice
An interview with 95bFM and the finished track played on the radio
A performance at our Annual Awards later this year and a full day of workshops
A 1:1 Artist Development Online Session with Sacha Vee, Platinum Award Winning Artist and Founder of SOLE Music Academy
Competition Judge and Play It Strange Marketing Manager at Play It Strange, Paige states:
“It’s been so amazing hearing the amount of talent coming out of Aotearoa. It's hard to believe that most of these songs were written and produced by high school students. We are feeling really excited about the future of the music industry here in NZ.”
The strength in talent meant that second and third place were decided only by a couple of points difference. Second place has been awarded to Anamika Jones from Trinity Catholic College for her song ‘Testing my Patience’ who receives a $500 Rockshop gift card. Third place goes to Shakira Lui from Southern Cross Campus for her song ‘Bluebird,’ who receives a $200 Rockshop gift card.
All 74 finalists will become part of the Play It Strange alumni community, gaining access to performance opportunities, mentoring, ticket giveaways, backstage experiences, and lots more throughout the year!
About their sponsorship of the competition, Lion Foundation CEO Tony Goldfinch says:
“The Lion Foundation are incredibly proud to support the Play it Strange Secondary Schools Songwriting Competition, which continues to attract more young, talented songwriters from across Aotearoa New Zealand every year. Congratulations to Salem Māhia Randall for taking first place - Salem has already achieved so many goals in his songwriting journey, and this reflects true passion and never giving up on what he loves. Congratulations too to all songwriting entrants - is truly amazing to witness the exceptional artistry and innovation that emerge from these young musicians”.
About Play It Strange:
Established in 2003, Play it Strange runs annual national songwriting competitions for high school students, with finalists awarded a day in a recording studio to professionally record their songs. Play it Strange releases these songs onto digital albums and provides mentorship and performance opportunities to further develop young artists in Aotearoa. Their alumni list includes Kimbra, Georgia Nott of Broods, Liz Stokes of The Beths, Frankie Venter, Annah Mac, Louis Baker, CHAII, Luca George, Ratbag and so many more.
FIRST LINE-UP ANNOUNCED FOR MĀNUKA PHUEL SYNTHONY FESTIVAL 2026
Duco Events has today revealed the first wave of artists set to take the stage at Mānuka Phuel SYNTHONY Festival, returning to the Auckland Domain on Saturday 21 March 2026. The line-up features both local and international acts Faithless (Full Live Band) (UK), SYNTHONY No. 7, Peking Duk(Australia), Hot Dub Time Machine (Australia), The Black Seeds and The Exponents.
Leading the charge is iconic British electronic dance act Faithless (Full Live Band), returning to perform in New Zealand for the first time in over two decades and playing their first live shows in eight years. With a 25-year legacy, 20 million album sales, 10 Top 10 singles and streams nearing one billion, Faithless are true festival royalty. Kiwi fans can expect an electrifying live set packed with classics like Insomnia, God Is A DJ and We Come 1, alongside powerful new material that marks an exciting new chapter for the band. This long-awaited return to the stage is a celebration of dance music’s golden era, complete with abstract visuals, immersive lightscapes and laser-led moments that promise a full sensory experience.
Also on the line-up is ARIA Award-winning electronic duo Peking Duk, made up of music producers Adam Hyde and Reuben Styles. They first broke out in 2012 with a Passion Pit bootleg, and cemented their place in the scene with their 2014 smash "High", which went triple platinum and won Best Dance Release at the ARIA Awards. Known for their huge energy and genre-blending sound, Peking Duk continue to dominate stages at festivals like Australia’s Splendour in the Grass, Falls Festival, and Spilt Milk, and now - Mānuka Phuel SYNTHONY Festival!
The 2026 festival will mark the global premiere of SYNTHONY No.7 - featuring a brand-new set list created exclusively for next year’s event. Festivalgoers will experience multiple tracks that have never been performed at any SYNTHONY show in its eight-year history, all reimagined with Auckland Philharmonia conducted once again by Sarah-Grace Williams.
Known for their infectious grooves and boundary-crossing fusion of funk, dub, soul and roots-reggae, Wellington’s The Black Seeds are set to join the stage at Mānuka Phuel SYNTHONY Festival next year. The band have built a global following off the back of platinum-selling albums and an electrifying live show led by vocalists Barnaby Weir and Daniel Weetman.
Also on the lineup are beloved Kiwi band, The Exponents! The band will reunite exclusively for this festival, marking their first Auckland performance in three years. Led by Jordan Luck they are set to play all their crowd favourites, including ‘Why Does Love Do This To Me’, ‘I’ll Say Goodbye (Even Though I’m Blue) and ‘Who Loves Who The Most’.
The final act in the initial lineup announcement is Australian party-starter Hot Dub Time Machine, known for his epic decade-spanning sets. Hot Dub is a main stage regular at festivals all over the world, including Europe’s legendary Tomorrowland, Benicassim, and Coachella in the USA.
This first release offers just a taste of what’s to come, with more local and international acts to be revealed later this year.
The 2025 edition of Mānuka Phuel SYNTHONY Festival saw a sold-out crowd of 40,000 descend on Auckland Domain, with a $1.8 million production and 2,000-strong working crew. Mānuka Phuel SYNTHONY Festival has fast become a landmark moment on the summer calendar - blending electronic music, orchestra, visuals and nostalgia into NZ’s biggest one-day music event.
Duco Events Founder David Higgins commented: "We are excited to bring Faithless, one of the most iconic names in dance music, to Auckland for Mānuka Phuel SYNTHONY Festival 2026. This year’s lineup showcases a strong mix of international artists and leading talent from Aotearoa. We are continuing to elevate the festival in 2026, with enhanced sound, world-class visuals, creating a premium live experience for all attendees."
“At our core, Manuka Phuel is all about energy reimagined and giving people the fuel for unforgettable experiences. This partnership is built on a shared vision to push creative boundaries, reimagine what we know and energise audiences - 2026 is shaping up to be the biggest, boldest chapter yet for both Manuka Phuel and Synthony” said Alex McDonald, Co-Creator of Mānuka Phuel.
Tātaki Auckland Unlimited CE, Nick Hill adds: “We’re delighted to again be supporting this world-class event which is a cornerstone of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s summer events line-up. The calibre of local and international artists appearing at this festival is second-to-none and we look forward to welcoming music fans, whānau and visitors from around the region and the motu to this extraordinary event.”
SIR DAVE DOBBYN ANNOUNCES REGIONAL TOUR OF SELECTED SONGS IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER
One of the country’s most treasured musical voices, Sir Dave Dobbyn, has today announced five regional tour dates around Aotearoa New Zealand. This news comes off the back of his hugely successful sold-out Auckland Town Hall show for the Live Nation’s Auckland Winter Series.
On Friday October 31st, Sir Dave will be visiting The Opera House in Pōneke, Wellington, before heading to Ahuriri, Napier’s Municipal Theatre on Tuesday November 4th. He’ll then head to Papaioea, Palmerston North at Regent on Broadway on Wednesday November 5th, Ōtepoti, Dunedin’s Town Hall on Friday November 7th, and finishing on Sunday November 9th at Ōtautahi, Christchurch’s James Hay Theatre.
Tickets for Sir Dave Dobbyn’s ‘Selected Songs’ tour will be available to purchase by the General Public on Monday, August 11 at 11am local time.
Mastercard cardholders have special access to presale tickets in New Zealand. Mastercard Presale starts Thursday, August 7 at 11am and ends on Monday, August 11 at 10am local time. Plus, preferred ticket access to some of the best tickets are available from Monday, August 11 at 11am local time. Check out priceless.com/music for details.
One NZ customers can be among the first to secure tickets during the presale starting Thursday, August 7 at 11am and ending on Monday, August 11 at 10am local time. Head to one.nz/music.
My Live Nation members will also be able to secure tickets during the presale which commences on Friday, August 8 at 11am until Monday, August 11 at 10am local time. Fans can register for access at livenation.co.nz.
With over 45 years as a recording artist, Sir Dave Dobbyn has shaped the sound of Kiwi music, penning the soundtrack to generations of New Zealand lives. From iconic anthems to an extraordinary catalogue of deeper cuts, Dobbyn’s set promises an unforgettable journey through one of the nation’s most storied songwriting legacies.
Diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2022, Dobbyn declared it “business as usual” – and continues to inspire with his unmistakable voice and enduring presence on stage. Recognised with a Knighthood in 2021 for his services to music, Dobbyn remains one of New Zealand’s most revered cultural figures.
If the popularity of Sir Dave Dobbyn’s Auckland show in June is anything to go by, audiences will want to grab tickets as soon as possible before they sell out.
For complete tour, ticket and event information, visit: www.livenation.co.nz
AUCKLAND LIVE LAUNCHES A FESTIVAL OF ARTS, IMAGINATION AND ADVENTURES - WE THE YOUNG IN TĀMAKI MAKAURAU THIS SEPTEMBER
Auckland Live proudly presents the inaugural We The Young, a festival of arts, imagination and adventures, created for Auckland’s tamariki and rangatahi. Running from Tuesday 16 September to Sunday 28 September 2025, this inclusive festival that celebrates young people and their loved ones will feature over 19 live performances, creative workshops, interactive art experiences, and free outdoor fun.
We The Young marks Auckland Live’s first ever arts festival exclusively for young audiences, with shows to entertain six month olds, to sixteen year olds. The festival will take over some of the city’s most iconic venues, Auckland Town Hall, Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre, The Civic and Aotea Square.
Daniel Clarke, Director of Performing Arts at Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, leading Auckland Live says: “We The Young is our response to enhancing Auckland’s cultural offering, giving tamariki and rangatahi the chance to experience and participate in imaginative, world-class artforms. This festival is about recognising their place in our creative community today, while nurturing the artists and audiences of tomorrow. Our vision is to see We The Young become a signature annual event on Auckland’s arts calendar, complementing our existing performing arts programme.”
Rosa Strati, Creative Producer at Auckland Live, says: "We The Young is a vibrant celebration of our incredible young people in Tāmaki Makaurau and we are committed to ensuring high-quality, age-specific arts experiences are accessible for everyone. Our programme includes multiple highly-visual, sound-based and NZSL interpreted events, every single show has a relaxed session available and we even have a digital work you can enjoy without leaving your home. We The Young has been designed with families in mind - over half of our shows are completely free and prices for those shows that are ticketed, have been set to be accessible and affordable.”
Young audiences can expect a diverse line-up of shows and experiences, including Creation Creation, a playful, big-hearted theatre work from Australia for ages 10+. The show tackles life’s biggest mysteries like “Are aliens real?” and “Is it possible to lick your elbow?” through interviews with people aged 8 to 102. Full of laughs, Creation Creationwill show at Herald Theatre from 25-28 September.
Paper Planet is an enchanting international installation where children and families have the opportunity to build a forest from cardboard and paper, transforming it into a living, breathing world of creatures, costumes, and stories. Presented at the Aotea Centre from 25-28 September.
The Tantrum, a joyous dance-theatre work for 3-8 year olds, exploring big emotions and the creative chaos of childhood. With shows on 20-21 September at Herald Theatre, The Tantrum uses music, dance and the imagination to tackle big, unruly, hard-to-figure-out emotions.
Up and Away is a gentle, sensory performance designed for pre-walking babies, offering a unique first theatre experience. Presented at the Aotea Centre from 16-21 September, Up and Away creates a cosy, safe space in an intimate and welcoming atmosphere.
Waiata, whānau, and the wonders of Te Taiao (the natural world) will be brought to life at Pīpī Paopao on 27–28 September at the Concert Chamber, Auckland Town Hall. Created by Rutene Spooner, this vibrant, interactive performance for kids aged 3-7 years celebrates the beauty of te reo Māori.
The Imaginarium is a playful and welcoming one-day event for Disabled and non-disabled young people alike. Led by an experienced team of artists and support crew, attendees will be guided through hands-on, inclusive workshops that celebrate individuality, imagination, and joy. Taking place on 20 September in the Hunua & Waitākere Rooms at the Aotea Centre.
Stand Up Stand Out (SUSO) is the thrilling grand final of Auckland’s premier youth talent competition, showcasing the city’s most promising singers, musicians, and dancers. Happening at Auckland Town Hall on 20 September, this free, ticketed event sees Auckland’s rising stars go head-to-head in five finale categories.
Massive Company will be running physical theatre workshops for ages 12-16, helping young people unlock confidence and creativity through movement and storytelling at the Concert Chamber, Auckland Town Hall on 23 and 25 September.
The Valentina is an audio adventure available online, blending theatre, illustration, and sound to whisk young listeners on a cosmic journey alongside Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman in space. Ticket holders will be given six month access to this YouTube performance.
We The Young also features a vibrant free programme designed to transform Aotea Square into a hub of playful activity. Families can dance up a storm at the Dance-O-Mat, unleash creativity at A Taste of Art Battle – Young Guns, discover global tales in the Little Language Lounge, or join in the fun of a live broadcast of the beloved 95bFM Kids Show.
During the festival, Aotea Square will come alive daily with free, hands-on fun for the whole whānau from Saturday 20 to Sunday 28 September. Surrounding the ticketed events, families can make a full day of it with a lively mix of creative activities, from imaginative Junk & Craft sessions and whimsical Tea Parties, to Circus Workshops with Te Kura Maninirau and traditional Māori games with Ngaa Taonga Taakaro. These playful, interactive experiences are designed to spark imagination, get tamariki moving, and create joyful memories, all at no cost.
Adding to the festival’s mission to make arts accessible for all, many events are relaxed performances, highly visual, or audio-based, welcoming neurodiverse audiences and ensuring young people of all abilities can participate.
The festival will also feature Stage Play, a specially curated, subsidised schools programme offering primary school groups a day-long adventure through performances, workshops and a behind-the-scenes glimpse into The Civic’s magical world.
With tickets across the festival priced to keep experiences accessible, and many free activities on offer, We The Young promises to be a landmark new fixture on Auckland’s arts calendar.
Tickets and programme details at www.aucklandlive.co.nz/event/we-the-young.
KELI HOLIDAY ANNOUNCES SEPTEMBER TOUR DATES ACROSS AOTEAROA
Australian indie/alt artist Keli Holiday has today announced three tour dates across Aotearoa, New Zealand. He will be heading to Ōtautahi Christchurch on Wednesday 10th September at Loons, followed by a stop in Pōneke Wellington on Thursday 11th September at San Fran, and finishing in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland at The Tuning Fork on Friday 12th September.
Tickets for Keli Holiday’s tour will be available to purchase by the General Public on Friday 1st August at 12:00pm local time.
Mastercard cardholders have special access to presale tickets in New Zealand. Mastercard Presale starts Wednesday July 30 at 11:00am and ends on Friday August 1 at 11:00am local time.
My Live Nation members will also be able to secure tickets during the presale which commences Thursday 31st July from 11:00am until Friday 1st August at 11:00am local time. Fans can register for access at livenation.co.nz.
Keli Holiday is from the mind of a man living off of nothing but new order records, beer, sleepless nights and the sheer excitement and love of exploring an unknown city named New York. This project was created by Adam Hyde (one half of multi ARIA award winning, 10x platinum selling duo Peking Duk) who had come off the back of a 2 month North American tour with back to back dates. He was told he had time for a holiday when he got home but instead of flying to a beach somewhere he decided to use an old guitar he had sitting in his bedroom to create something special. Two years later and the marriage of longing for that holiday he'll never get back mixed with the strumming of that dusty old guitar birthed a love child named Keli Holiday.
MĀNUKA PHUEL SYNTHONY FESTIVAL TO RETURN IN MARCH 2026
Duco Touring has today announced the date for New Zealand’s biggest one-day music event Mānuka Phuel SYNTHONY Festival, returning in 2026! The festival will take place on Saturday 21 March, 2026 and will return to Auckland Domain.
The 2025 event had record-breaking attendance, with the headline act SYNTHONY performing to an impressive sold-out crowd of 40,000. The $1.8 million dollar production featured 2000 working personnel plus 316 artists and performers.
Following a successful double-header event this weekend at Spark Arena, with 10,000 Kiwi’s attending Mānuka Phuel FULL METAL ORCHESTRA and SYNTHONY ORIGINS, Duco Touring are excited to continue to bring high-quality experiences to New Zealanders year-round.
Duco Touring Founder David Higgins commented: “After a massive turnout in 2025, and an incredible atmosphere across this weekend’s events, we knew we had to bring SYNTHONY Festival back to the Domain. In 2026, we’re planning to scale up every aspect, from the stage production to the artist line-up. SYNTHONY Festival will continue to be a destination event for fans nationwide.”
Described as “an enduring success” and “enjoyable for everyone” (NZ Herald) and “a magical farewell to summer” (RNZ) following Mānuka Phuel SYNTHONY Festival 2025, punters can expect the same unparalleled festival experience, local and international artists, world-class immersive visuals, and some of the biggest dance tracks of all time reimagined.
“Following the roaring success of last year, we’re proud to once again come on board as the headline sponsor for Mānuka Phuel SYNTHONY Festival 2026,” said Alex McDonald, Co-Creator of Mānuka Phuel. “Our partnership with SYNTHONY across multiple events in 2025 has proved to be the perfect collision of energy, sound, and culture — and embodies everything Mānuka Phuel stands for.
We’re proud to return in 2025 to phuel what we believe is one of the most powerful and unmissable live music experiences Auckland has to offer.”
Mānuka Phuel SYNTHONY Festival 2025, Auckland Domain
Tātaki Auckland Unlimited’s CE Nick Hill says: “We’re proud to support the return of Mānuka Phuel SYNTHONY Festival in 2026. Last year’s event was a phenomenal success, drawing a record-breaking crowd and creating an unforgettable experience in the heart of Auckland. It’s exactly the kind of world-class, homegrown event that showcases our region’s energy, creativity and love of music. We’re thrilled to invest in its future on behalf of Auckland Council and can’t wait to see it light up the Domain once again.”
The first, stellar line-up will be revealed in early August. Presale registration is open now, with presale and general on-sale mid-August.