A summer that's stacked, slammed and supersized

Nearly 70 music festivals will be held in New Zealand over the coming months. I know this because I counted them all – and it took me fucking ages.

This is stunning. This is nuts. This is way-the-fuck out of control. This is crazy.

To be honest, this took up way too much of my time. Once I started trying to list every summer music festival happening in Aotearoa over the next five months, I couldn’t stop.

I just kept finding them. They were popping up like whack-a-moles.

They’re everywhere.

The North Island. The South Island. Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

Gisborne, Tauranga and New Plymouth.

Waipara, Whanganui and Wainuiomata too.

Mate, pace yourself: there’s 60-odd festivals to go.

Over the next five months, nearly 70 – yes, you read that right, nearly 70 – music festivals will take place around Aotearoa.

Three years full of Covid- and weather-affected events haven’t put promoters off.

They’re refusing to hold back. They have doubled down, and then some.

New Zealand, this summer is so stacked the scope and scale of it is unheard of.

Back in August of 2019, I penned this breathless feature for a local newspaper. It dubbed the looming festival season the “Summer of Boom” with a record-breaking run of live events.

I listed about a dozen festivals as proof. That’s about normal, give or take, for a Kiwi summer.

Not this summer. This summer looks at normality and says, “Fuck that”. This summer has more than quadrupled the number of festivals we normally have.

When I got to 30, I thought: “Hold on a minute.”

When I got to 40, I was like: “This is some summer coming.”

When I got to 50, I cackled like a crazed hyena.

Then I got to 60 and I picked up my phone as fast as possible to ask someone, anyone: “What the fuck is happening?”

Now, we’re nearly at 70 and even then I’m not sure I got them all.

But there’s so much to talk about here. Headliners. Locations. Crowd sizes. Trends. Survival. Who are the promoters putting these things on?

Are there enough staff, stages, pop-up tents and Portaloos to run all of these things?

Can they all be successful?

Bay Dreams has Destroy Lonely and Yelawolf (sadly, Kelis has dropped out).

I’ll answer those questions in future posts. For today, here’s my compilation of every single music festival happening over the next five months. This doesn’t include stand alone shows like The Weeknd, Foo Fighters, Pink and, er, Limp Bizkit.

It’s just festivals, and only festivals, of which you can spend more than 50% of your summer at, if you want to, can afford it, have the leave owing, and own several pairs of comfy shoes and a helicopter.

So use this list, get planning, then invite me! I’ll come with you! (I do not camp.) If Channel Tres, The Chemical Brothers or Sampha is on your line-up, I’ll be there!

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Here’s your ultimate 23/24 summer festival guide

Get amongst it…

November 4:

• High Tide
  Line-up: Document One, Ekko & Sidetrack, Elipsa, Gray, Jaded, Kah-Lo,

  Keeno, Monss, Frank Booker + more
  Where: McEwan Park, Wellington

November 10:

• K-Wave
  Line-up: Lee Hi, Kard, Odd Eye Circle, 10cm, Jey
  Where: Trusts Arena, Auckland\

November 11:

• Festival of Sunreturn
  Line-up: Amamelia, Babe Martin, Baby Zionov, Dbldbl, deepState, K M T P, Long Distance Runner, Mokotron, OP Lilypad, Power Nap + more
  Where: Whammy Bar, Wine Cellar & Backroom

November 16:

Fridayz Live, on a Thursday.

• Fridayz Live
  Line-up: Jason Derulo, Boyz II Men, Flo Rida, Kelly Rowland, 112, Jojo + more
  Where: Spark Arena, Auckland

November 17:

• Our House
  Line-up: JOne, DJ Q, Biscits, Kah-Lo, Monss, Document One, Tim Phin + more
  Where: Go Media Stadium Mt Smart, Auckland

November 18:

• Great Sounds Great
  Line-up: Dartz, Vanessa Worm, Ha the Unclear, Tiny Ruins, Vera Allen, Goodshirt + more
  Where: Cuba St, Wellington

November 22:

• Burst the Park
  Line-up: Massimo, DJ Bunker, DJ Banty, Mangaliso, Morningsteppa + more
  Where: Fisher House, Highbrook

November 24-26:

• NZ Blues & BBQ Festival
  Line-up: 19-Twenty, Fiona Boyes and the Fortune Tellers, Midge Marsden, Grant Haua + more
  Where: Rotorua Lakefront Village Green

November 30 - December 3:

• Lakeside Odyssey
  Line-up: Flaxxies, Optimus Gryme, Sojourn, Truth, Mermaid Bait + more
  Where: Ruatangata, Northland

December 1:

K’ Road’s festival The Others Way takes place on December 1.

• The Others Way
  Line-up: Souls of Mischief, Fazerdaze, Herbs, Opensouls, Trinity Roots, The Veils, Deryk, Vera Ellen + more
  Where: Various venues, K’ Road, Auckland

December 1-3:

• Sanctuary Sounds
  Line-up: Lost Tribe Aotearoa, False Heights, Forsaken Age, Sidewinder, Bird Machine + more
  Where: Takapau, Hawkes Bay

December 2:

• Rock Monsters
  Line-up: Written By Wolves, Crooked Royals, Coridian, Pull Down the Sun, Claemus, Elidi
  Where: Butlers Reef, Oakura

December 8-9

• This Kinda Day Festival
  Line-up: Anthony Pappa, Doorly, Jess Bays, Josh Butler, Frank Booker, Cam Harris, Ribera
  Where: Kingston

December 20:

• Save the b
  Line-up: Shihad, Concord Dawn, Princess Chelsea, Delaney Davidson + Marlon Williams, Princess Chelsea, Voom + more
  Where: Auckland Town Hall

December 26:

• Cape Estate
  Line-up: The Grogans, Anna Coddington, Levi, Deep Fried Funk + more
  Where: Te Awanga Downs, Hawkes Bay

December 27:

Le Currents is about as summery as a festival line-up can get.

• Le Currents

  Line-up: Ocean Alley, Sublime with Rome, Summer Thieves, Coterie, Katayanagi Twins + more
  Where: Taupō

• Hidden Valley
  Line-up: Wilkinson, Hedex, Channel Tres, Goddard, Hamdi, Kettama, 33 Below, Taylah Elaine, Sin, Elipsa + more
  Where: Matakana Country Park

December 28:

• Hidden Lakes
  Line-up: Wilkinson, Barry Can’t Swim, Ladi6, Kettama, Sin, Hamdi + more
  Where: Hagley Park, Christchurch

December 29:

• Love Your Ways
  Line-up: Basement Jaxx (DJ set), LF System, KLP, Sanoi, Beccie B, Pixie Lane
  Where: The Hunting Lodge Winery, Auckland

• A Summer’s Day Live
  Line-up: Dire Straits Legacy, Nazareth, Hello Sailor
  Where: Church Road Winery, Napier

• Rock the Bowl
  Line-up: Shapeshifter, Ocean Alley, Sublime with Rome, Coterie, Ladyhawke, The Grogans, Masaya
  Where: Bowl of Brooklands, New Plymouth

December 29-31:

Rhythm & Vines fires up.

• Rhythm & Vines
  Line-up: Central Cee, Dom Dolla, Sun Focus, Lee Mvtthews, Peking Duk, Wilkinson, Becky Hill, Gin Wigmore, A-Trak, Ross From Friends + more
  Where: Waiohika Estate, Gisborne

• Rhythm & Alps
  Line-up: Channel Tres, Fat Freddy’s Drop, Synthony, Ocean Alley, Benee, Home Brew, Peking Duk, Sigma (DJ set) + more
  Where: Wanaka, Cardrona Valley

• Northern Bass
  Line-up: Goldie, Calibre, Montell2099, Netsky, Sub Focus, Hedex, Home Brew, Tiki Taane, JessB, Aroha, Lee Mvtthews + more
  Where: Kaiwaka

• NYE’23
  Line-up: The Upbeats, State of Mind, Truth, Tiki Taane, Racing, The Black Seeds, Chaii, Dillastrate + more
  Where: Coroglen Tavern, Coromandel Peninsula

• The Beach Ball
  Line-up: The Black Seeds, Racing, Dave Dobbyn, The Beths, Elemeno P
  Where: Kerikeri, Oakura, Coromandel

December 30:

• A Summer’s Day Live
  Line-up: Dire Straits Legacy, Nazareth, Hello Sailor

  Where: Wharepai Domain, Tauranga

December 30 - January 1:

• Rolling Meadows
  Line-up: Netsky, Swae Lee, The Veronicas, Alcemist, Drax Project, Halfqueen, Melodownz, Savage, State of Mind, SXMPRA, State of Mind + more
  Where: Waipara

December 30-January 2

South Head’s AUM festival has more than 200 acts.

• AUM
  Line-up: Juno Reactor, Gaudi, Rinkadink, Jakob, The Librarian, Paige Julia, The Black Quartet, Trei, Young Kim, Paddy Free + more

  Where: Leighton’s Farm, South Head

December 30 - January 3:

• Twisted Frequency
  Line-up: Truth, Ryanosaurus, Ternion Sound, Tom Cosm, Loefah, Tribone + more
  Where: Cobb Valley, Golden Bay

December 31:

• High Life NYE Festival
  Line-up: David Penn, Ron Carroll, Tim Phin, Paris is Burning + more
  Where: Ascension Wine Estate, Matakana

Famous Last Words kicks off 2024 for bassheads.

• Famous Last Words
  Line-up: Hybrid Minds + Tempza, 1992, A.M.C ft Phantom, Bou, Fred V, Koven, V O E + more
  Where: Trustpower Baypark, Mount Maunganui

• Rock the Park
  Line-up: Elemeno P, Racing, Volts, Dolphin Friendly
  Where: North Hagley Park, Christchurch

• Mackenzie Summer Sounds
  Line-up: Stan Walker, Jordan Luck Band, Loose & Colourful, Cam Scott, Arun O'Connor, Jaydin Shingleton and Sisterhood.
  Where: Meridian South Island Rowing Complex, Twizel

January 2:

• A Summer’s Day Live
  Line-up: Dire Straits Legacy, Nazareth, Hello Sailor
  Where: Matakana Country Park

January 3:

• Bay Dreams
  Line-up: Destroy Lonely, Luude, NLE Choppa, Riton, Sigma, Yelawolf, Bad Boy Chiller Crew + more
  Where: Wharepai Domain, Tauranga

• Juicy Fest
  Line-up: T-Pain, T.I., The Game, Bone Thugz N Harmony, Ashanti, Trey Songs, Ma$e, Fabolous, Mario, Keri Hilson + more
  Where: Queen Elizabeth Park, Christchurch

• A Summer’s Day Live
  Line-up: Dire Straits Legacy, Nazareth, Hello Sailor
  Where: Bowl of Brooklands, New Plymouth

• Shake & Bake
  Line-up: Ocean Alley, Sublime with Rome, Drax Project, Coterie, My Baby, The Grogans, Masaya
  Where: Brewtown, Upper Hutt

January 4-5:

• Golden Lights
  Line-up: Becky Hill, Peggy Gou, Foals, A-Trak, Sub Focus, Wilkinson + more
  Where: Trusts Arena, Auckland

January 5:

• Bay Dreams
  Line-up: Destroy Lonely, Luude, NLE Choppa, Riton, Sigma, Yelawolf, Bad Boy Chiller Crew + more
  Where: Queenstown Events Centre

• Juicy Fest
  Line-up: T-Pain, T.I., The Game, Bone Thugz N Harmony, Ashanti, Trey Songs, Ma$e, Fabolous, Mario, Keri Hilson + more
  Where: McEwan Park, Wellington

• Beach Break
  Line-up: Shapeshifter, Ocean Alley, My Baby, Masaya & Flaxies
  Where: Williamson Park, Whangamata

January 5-6:

• Nest Fest
  Line-up: Katchafire, Ladi6, Leisure, The Exponents, Vera Allen, Halfqueen, Vanessa Worm + more
  Where: Tomoana Showgrounds, Hastings

January 6:

• Juicy Fest
  Line-up: T-Pain, T.I., The Game, Bone Thugz N Harmony, Ashanti, Trey Songs, Ma$e, Fabolous, Mario, Keri Hilson + more
  Where: North Harbour Stadium, Auckland

• The Coro Classic
  Line-up: Sublime with Rome, Coterie, Alcemist, Babe Rainbow + more
  Where: Coromandel Luxury Escapes, Matarangi

January 7:

A prediction: The Game will not make it for Juicy Fest.

• Juicy Fest
  Line-up: T-Pain, T.I., The Game, Bone Thugz N Harmony, Ashanti, Trey Songs, Ma$e, Fabolous, Mario, Keri Hilson + more
  Where: Bay Venues, Mount Maunganui

January 19-21:

• Soundsplash
  Line-up: Coterie, Delta Heavy, K Motionz, Mallrat, Tiki Taane, Georgia Lines, The Grogans + more
  Where: Raglan

• Summer Frequencies
  Line-up: Kora, HP Boyz, Adeaze + Aaradhna, Deceptikonz, House of Shem, Tomorrow People, Annie Crummer + more
  Where: Gisborne Soundshell

January 20:

• Sunsetter Festival
  Line-up: Hot Dub Time Machine, Freemasons, My Baby, Bermuda Social, Tim Phin + more
  Where: North Harbour Domain

• Groove in the Grapes
  Line-up: Celine and The Doctor, That 90's Band, Hello Sailor
  Where: Turanga Creek, Whitford

January 21:

• Takapuna Beach Summer Days
  Line-up: Nathan Fry, Encore & Friends, The Renegades
  Where: Takapuna Beach

January 27:

• Summer Concert Tour
  Line-up: Simple Minds, Texas, Pseudo Echo, Collective Soul
  Where: Taupo Ampitheatre

January 27-28:

• One Love
  Line-up: One Love, UB40 ft Ali Campbell, Wyclef Jean, Shaggy, Julian Marley, Fiji + more
  Where: Tauranga Domain

January 28:

• Summer Concert Tour
  Line-up: Simple Minds, Texas, Pseudo Echo, Collective Soul
  Where: Claudelands Oval, Hamilton

February 2-4:

• Welcome to Nowhere
  Line-up: Bad Taste, Dateline, Lizard Prom, Mean Owls, Monk House + more
  Where: Whanganui

February 2-5:

• Dimension Festival
  Line-up: Jakaan, VYXN, Ashez, Paige Julia, Donna-Marie + more
  Where: Waimatenui East Road, Nukutawhiti

February 3:

• Sonorous
  Line-up: Carl Cox, Josh Butler, Juliet Fox, Dick Johnson + more
  Where: The Hunting Lodge, Waimauku

• Summer Concert Tour
  Line-up: Simple Minds, Texas, Pseudo Echo, Collective Soul
  Where: Gibbston Vallery Winery, Queenstown

• Waiheke Open-Air
  Line-up: Collen ‘Cosmo’ Murphy, Tornado Wallace, Trojan Sound System, Bbyfacekilla, Frank Booker, K2K, Flamingo Pier
  Where: Ahipao, Waiheke Island

February 6:

Stormzy headlines the first Laneway Festival in three long years.

• St Jerome’s Laneway Festival
  Line-up: Stormzy, Steve Lacy, Dominic Fike, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Raye + more
  Where: Western Springs, Auckland

• Summer Classic
  Line-up: Montell2099, Sachi, Quix presents Fredrick, Loods, Bushbaby
  Where: Matakana Country Park

February 9-11:

• Shipwrecked Festival
  Line-up: TBC
  Where: Te Arai

February 10:

• Synthony in the Domain
  Line-up: Synthony No. 5, Rudimental, Fat Freddy’s Drop, John Butler + more
  Where: Auckland Domain

• Nostalgia Festival
  Line-up: The Warratahs, Erny Belle, Fazerdaze, Louis Baker, Tom Lark + more
  Where: Ferrymead Heritage Park, Heathcote Valley

• Outfield Festival
  Line-up: TBC
  Where: Te Awanga, Hawkes Bay

February 15-18:

• Camp a Low Hum
  Line-up: TBC
  Where: Camp Wainui, Wainuiomata

February 16:

• No Days Off
  Line-up: K Motionz, 1991, Voltage, Ponz + more
  Where: Cathedral Square, Christchurch

February 16-18:

• Burning Horse
  Line-up: TBC
  Where: Montana Flat, Waimea

February 17:

• Hybrid Minds & Friends
  Line-up: Hybrid Minds, Tempza, K Motionz + more
  Where: Trusts Arena, Auckland

February 22-25:

• Camp a Low Hum
  Line-up: TBC
  Where: Camp Wainui, Wainuiomata

February 23-25:

• Splore
  Line-up: Sampha, The Pharcyde, Strawpeople, Melowdownz, Yoko Zuna + more
  Where: Tāpapakanga Regional Park

February 23-26

• Yatra
  Line-up: Acousma, Ally Kruz, Judas, Junkey Monkey, Kozy, Melt + more
  Where: Golden Bay

February 24:

The Chemical Brothers headline New Zealand’s biggest festival, Electric Avenue.

• Electric Avenue
  Line-up: The Chemical Brothers, Six60, L.A.B., Shapeshifter, Synthony, Flight Facilities, JessB, Lee Mvtthews _ more
  Where: Hagley Park, Christchurch

February 24-25:

• Meatstock
  Line-up: Katchafire, Shihad, The Black Seeds, Tami Neilson, Kaylee Bell, Summer Thieves, Lost Tribes Aotearoa + more
  Where: Mystery Creek Events Centre, Hamilton

February 29:

• Auckland Sounds
  Line-up: The Human League, Go West, Nik Kershaw, The Mockers, The Choirboys
  Where: Eventfinda Stadium, Auckland

March 2:

• Selwyn Sounds
  Line-up: The Human League, Go West, Nik Kershaw, The Mockers, The Choirboys
  Where: Lincoln Domain, Christchurch

March 3:

• Hutt Sounds
  Line-up: The Human League, Go West, Nik Kershaw, The Mockers, The Choirboys
  Where: Brewtown, Upper Hutt

March 9:

• Cross Street Music Festival
  Line-up: TBC
  Where: K’ Road, Auckland

March 15-17:

Womad punters can enjoy the Bowl of Brooklands’ lakeside scenery.

• Womad
  Line-up: Ziggy Marley, Morcheeba, Lady Shaka, Pongo, Arooj Aftab, Anthonie Tonnon, Strawpeople, Bailey Wiley + more
  Where: Bowl of Brooklands, Taranaki

• Two Minds Festival
  Line-up: TBC
  Where: 100 Heyders Road, Christchurch

March 16:

• Homegrown
  Line-up: L.A.B., Bic Runga, Blindspott, Kora, Teeks, Devilskin, Alien Weaponry, Head Like a Hole, Home Brew + more
  Where: Wellington Waterfront

March 20-24:

• Earth Beat Festival
  Line-up: Mad Professor, Drumspyder, The Black Seeds, Kaya Project, Pitch Black, Paige Julia, Lost Tribe Aotearoa + more
  Where: Ātiu Creek Regional Park

March 28:

• Souled Out
  Line-up: Summer Walker, Bryson Tiller, PartyNextDoor, Lucky Daye, Majid Jordan, Tinashe, Libianca + more
  Where: Trusts Arena, Auckland

March 31:

• Morningside Live Block Party
  Line-up: Avantdale Bowling Club, The Beths, Troy Kingi, Eno x Dirty, Fable, DJ Mu + more
  Where: McDonald St, Morningside

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That’s it! That’s every music festival I can find. Sing out if I’ve missed anything (I probably have). And while you’re here, please consider upgrading your subscription.