Go Live Festival

Influential Ōtautahi indie band The Bats formed in 1982 in by Paul Kean(external link) (bass), Malcolm Grant (drums), Robert Scott(external link) (lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards) and Kaye Woodward (lead guitar, vocals). Though primarily a Christchurch band, The Bats have strong links to Dunedin(external link) and were grouped in with the Dunedin sound(external link) musicians that emerged in the early 1980s.

The band have been active with the same line-up since New Year’s Eve 1982. They’ve released 10 albums, 6 EP’s and a heap of singles. They have regularly toured New Zealand as well as USA, EU, UK and Australia.

Ōtautahi's very own 1 Drop Nation has become one of Aotearoa’s must-see acts with an electrifying live show that engages the crowd from start to finish. Their unique blend of roots, rock, funk and reggae brings a fresh vibe to the music scene in Aotearoa and will have you feeling all sorts of good.

Currently teamed up with one of Aotearoa's best producers, Dr Lee Prebble (L.A.B, The Black Seeds, KORA, Trinity Roots), 1 Drop Nation released their 2nd studio album Moment In Time in October 2023.

The band have recently completed a national tour playing festivals all over NZ including Electric Avenue.

Loves Ugly Children formed in Christchurch during the very late 80s. Original members, Simon Maclaren (vocals, guitar) and Floss Fleury (vocals, bass guitar), were joined by Jason Young (vocals, drums) in May '91.

The vibe around Loves Ugly Children grew quickly as they played gigs, released tapes, started to appear on local media, and the word started to spread. They played wherever and whenever, working hard to get into the studio as quickly as possible to record the band's prolific output.

After recording various EPs and singles with local labels Flat City Records and Failsafe, Loves Ugly managed to make a connection with the legendary Flying Nun. They then went on to release Cold Water Surf (1994), Cakehole (1995), Suck (1996), and a finally Showered in Gold in 1997. Along with those albums there were also various singles, music videos and compilations.

After spending most of the 90s taking their brand of punk-noise-art-rock-pop-chaos to as many people they could, Young departed in late '97, and for a time the band played on until winding down in mid '98.

The idea of a reunion seemed a long shot, but against all the odds...here they are again! Rising from a 26-year hibernation to unleash a final burst of chaos and noise, mangled into a form of punky-art-rock/pop, maturing into an epic sonic performance...don't miss this one-off moment!

For over 15 years now, Waihōpai/Ōtepoti psych-rock reggae trio 'Left or Right' have been pioneering a blend of dub-reggae grooves, soaring vocal harmonies, and off-beat lyricism, at times infused with moments of visceral rock riffery.

 Songs about aliens, dentists, reincarnated cats, and autophobic dogs dominate the band’s three albums, which have cumulatively sold hundreds of copies on vinyl, CD and cassette, and featured in the NZ album charts across several months.

 The band have toured Aotearoa and Australia numerous times, with 2024 marking their 17th journey around NZ, this time road-testing material for a new record, due in 2025. With a reputation for larger-than-life live performances, the multi-sensory barrage of 'Left or Right’s' show is not to be missed.

New Zealand Alt-Rock Duo Midwave Breaks have made a serious impact at Rock Radio since launching in 2021, with 4 independent singles in the Top 10 NZ Rock Airplay Chart, and a further 4 breaching the Top 20. Their debut single Lemonade Hand Grenade resonated across the country, spending over 12 weeks in the Top 5. Their 2023 release Souvenirs peaked at number 2, becoming the most played NZ Track on Rock Radio through May – June 2023, and the band continue to deliver in 2024 with their latest 3 track EP Standing Inside Out, featuring the captivating new radio single All She Was.

The band were also recently selected by International Acts Incubus and Live to open for their Co-headline NZ Tour in April 2024, with two Arena shows in Christchurch and Auckland.  This formidable duo are a powerhouse of song writing, production, musicianship and live performance. 

Delivering guitar-heavy power pop that is sure to get stuck firmly in your head, Imperial April might be New Zealand’s sweetest grunge band. Bursting onto the scene during the global standstill of the pandemic, the side project of alt/pop act and production duo The Response is dominated by the captivating vocals of bassist Victoria Knopp, jangly guitars and ‘90s pop-rock leanings. Their debut single Peachy set the stage with its infectious energy and biting vocals, garnering comparisons to Courtney Love, The Beths, and Garbage. 

Imperial April has already left their mark on their local live scene, wooing audiences while supporting Australian psych-rock act The Lazy Eyes and kiwi alt-rockers Midwave Breaks, and festival appearances including Go Live and the beloved Nostalgia Festival. The band released their full length debut album late last year.

Harmonious acoustic duo Wax Birds have resided in Oxford since they moved to New Zealand from Yorkshire, in the UK, back in 2016.

By the end of 2020 they had released  "Slow Rise", a slightly Jazz sounding album, recorded from their tiny house. Their sound has since taken on more of a Folky Americana feel which can be heard on the second album "Yellowhammer" which was released in March 2023.

In June 2023, they were invited down to Gore MLT Songwriting Awards for their song "CoParent", to play alongside 9 other finalists. They continue to write and hone their craft and are excited to bring new releases soon.

Kiwi sensation PRINS seamlessly combined her multifaceted talents in acting, dancing, and modeling to craft a distinctive brand of electro-pop that has taken both the New Zealand and global music scenes by storm.

After a bustling summer filled with festival appearances, PRINS has already made a significant impact in 2024. Her performances have captivated audiences at Rolling Meadows, Soundsplash Festival, and as a supporting act for Rudimental (NZ), culminating in a spectacular show for a record audience of 35,000 at Synthony in the Domain. PRINS's trajectory reached new heights when she headlined The James Hay Theatre in March, bringing an unparalleled pop experience complete with dancers, a live band, and full-scale pop choreography. This standout performance solidified PRINS's status as New Zealand's own pop star, showcasing her undeniable talent and stage presence. With a slew of anticipated releases on the horizon, and her growing international reputation, PRINS's journey from 2024 into 2025 promises to be a wild one.

Transistors burst on to the NZ scene in 2009 with the release of their first album. The garage-punk three piece of Olly Crawford-Ellis, Colin Roxburgh, and James Harding formed in high school and honed their high energy live show by playing “every show that was offered”.

After gaining the attention of impresario and music historian John Baker, who became the band’s manager, they toured with the Mint Chicks, The Datsuns, The Dirtbombs and Pierced Arrows. Their debut album Shortwave was produced by Auckland veteran Bob Frisbee. Clocking in at just 20 minutes, the album marked a furious statement of intent and received rave reviews.

The band announced that a performance at Canterbury Museum in 2016 would be their last. Following this hiatus Crawford-Ellis and Harding formed power pop band Best Bets and released their first EP in 2018, followed by debut album On An Unhistoric Night in 2022.

Transistors have since reemerged to play occasional shows and have announced the upcoming release of their third album Everything Will Never Happen Again. Considered a ‘lost’ album, it was recorded in 2016 shortly before the trio disbanded, the album will finally see the light of day in late 2024 via local label Melted Ice Cream.

Unapologetic, ferocious and a hard hitting collective - Otautahi upcomers, Tealskie, do not disappoint. This genre blending four piece has been creating waves in the local scene with their high energy, unique live shows and infectious attitude on and off the stage.

Tealskie are currently working on their debut E.P.

Some say they’re a myth, while others say they’re mere mortals gone mad but, it’s clear Tealskie have broken through the horizon and show no signs of slowing down.

SOMEBODY DO SOMETHING shot into the Christchurch music scene in 2020 and have since paved a way for themselves across the motu with their unique set up and genre-bending live shows. They draw on the bands backgrounds of classical, metal, jazz and pop to create the SDS soundworld of soul-fuelled, funky alt-rock and R&B. 

Leading the group with delicious husky vocals is Marlee Spear, hailing from Portland Oregon. The band weaves together violin, sax, spine-tingling harmonies and lush liquid grooves to create a truly singular musical experience. 

Since their first EP in 2020, the band have released their debut album, ‘As Rome Burns’, and second, live-tracked EP ‘Archives’, created at the iconic kiwi establishment, The Mussel Inn, north of Takaka. After a summer of performing in festival line ups including Ōtautahi Smoke, Rolling Meadows, and AUM; the group is stoked to be entering a composing and recording phase for a fresh release in 2024.

First emerging in 2015 with EP ‘Hunter’, Vic plays between poetic and literal worlds, painting an emotional sonic landscape with sophisticated, alternative-pop songs. Ranging from dreamy and romantic to foreboding, percussive-heavy tracks, Vic’s storytelling falls front and centre - drawing on her own life experiences with both a sincerity and self-referential sen

Her sophomore EP ‘Strange Rituals’, was released in May 2023. Her track 'Closure' was featured on highly coveted Spotify playlist ‘New Music Friday AU/NZ’, as well as ‘Fresh Cuts AU/NZ’ on the week of its release.se of humour.

Known by fans for her powerful voice and captivating stage presence, Phoebe Vic is a gathering force. An accomplished singer, musician and performer, the Ōtautahi artist is steadily gaining recognition for her pop sensibilities, vocal prowess and dynamic performance - making her one to watch and not to be missed.

Hawaiian Maiden is a surf-rockabilly band that never turns down a pun or a synchronised dance move. What began as a solo project for Jonno Wheeler; Hawaiian Maiden then blossomed into a fully-fledged fourpiece featuring John Steinhart (guitar), T.J. Smart (drums), and Jak Harris (bass). And what Surf band is complete without a brass section bringing the Trump and Saxy back.

With a second full-length album drafted, like many CHCH bands, gig/recording life as they knew it paused during the pandemic. With some personal challenges thrown into the mix, the hiatus was extended.

2024, now emerging from the sand dunes for your aural pleasure; Hawaiian Maiden are busy ironing their shirts and dusting off the Bigsby’s ready to bring back the thunder, the banter, and that nostalgic surf rock sound. 

Martin is an old soul with a versatile writing style that allows her to cross genres as she glides easily between Soul, folk, rock, blues, and country, all the while maintaining her unique sound. 

Currently she is busy recording her 3rd studio album which is scheduled for release in 2024. 

Lee Martin is a New Zealand-based singer/songwriter who has been impacting the music scene with her thought-provoking lyrics and storytelling writing style.