The post-hardcore innovators of La Dispute, known for their emotionally charged lyrics and ambitious compositions, are hitting Aotearoa this October. These shows will celebrate their critically acclaimed fifth studio album, No One Was Driving The Car.

It’s been six years since La Dispute released their last album, Panorama. Since then, the Michigan post-hardcore band—made up of Jordan Dreyer on vocals, Brad Vander Lugt on drums, Chad Morgan-Sterenberg and Corey Stroffolino on guitar, and Adam Vass on bass—dealt with the stagnance of the pandemic, celebrated the ten-year anniversaries of Wildlife and Rooms Of The House, and began working on No One Was Driving The Car. The fifth studio LP is the first entirely produced by the group, and it came together in Grand Rapids and Detroit, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Philippines: “I think the change in environment was really helpful to breathing new life into the process each time we came back to it,” Dreyer says.

Partly inspired by the 2017 psychological thriller First Reformed, No One Was Driving The Car reckons with malaise in the shadow of the looming apocalypse, which has noticeably been worsened by the advancement of tech. The title comes from a quote from a police officer Dreyer read in a news article about a lethal self-driving Tesla crash, an absurd event which raises questions about the amount of control we have in our own lives. In fourteen dynamic tracks, the band grapples with the existential topic and the human need to find comfort and a sense of security in an existence where we’re often thrust into chaos without permission. Dreyer yells with a more primal sense and sings in a more refined way, and the guitars have a sharper edge than ever before. “As much as I don’t enjoy the creative process because it’s taxing and often not fun, I also think it’s the most fun that I ever have,” Dreyer contemplates. “It’s the revelations you make, the breakthroughs. It’s banging your head against a wall and suddenly something clicks in a way that feels almost divine, like it came from somewhere else.”

This event is at Hollywood Avondale in Auckland

Tickets here

To raise funds for Palestine Children's Relief Fund (an organisation that works tirelessly to provide healthcare, education, and support to children affected by the ongoing genocide in Palestine), some of Poneke's coolest songwriters have teamed up to put on an epic show at Valhalla!

With incredible band-backed sets from Jeline, Floyd Marsden, Emma Kate, and Julia Belle all the ticket sales will be donated entirely to PCRF to help them keep doing the most amazing and vital work.

Tickets here

The post-hardcore innovators of La Dispute, known for their emotionally charged lyrics and ambitious compositions, are hitting Aotearoa this October. These shows will celebrate their critically acclaimed fifth studio album, No One Was Driving The Car.

It’s been six years since La Dispute released their last album, Panorama. Since then, the Michigan post-hardcore band—made up of Jordan Dreyer on vocals, Brad Vander Lugt on drums, Chad Morgan-Sterenberg and Corey Stroffolino on guitar, and Adam Vass on bass—dealt with the stagnance of the pandemic, celebrated the ten-year anniversaries of Wildlife and Rooms Of The House, and began working on No One Was Driving The Car. The fifth studio LP is the first entirely produced by the group, and it came together in Grand Rapids and Detroit, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Philippines: “I think the change in environment was really helpful to breathing new life into the process each time we came back to it,” Dreyer says.

Partly inspired by the 2017 psychological thriller First Reformed, No One Was Driving The Car reckons with malaise in the shadow of the looming apocalypse, which has noticeably been worsened by the advancement of tech. The title comes from a quote from a police officer Dreyer read in a news article about a lethal self-driving Tesla crash, an absurd event which raises questions about the amount of control we have in our own lives. In fourteen dynamic tracks, the band grapples with the existential topic and the human need to find comfort and a sense of security in an existence where we’re often thrust into chaos without permission. Dreyer yells with a more primal sense and sings in a more refined way, and the guitars have a sharper edge than ever before. “As much as I don’t enjoy the creative process because it’s taxing and often not fun, I also think it’s the most fun that I ever have,” Dreyer contemplates. “It’s the revelations you make, the breakthroughs. It’s banging your head against a wall and suddenly something clicks in a way that feels almost divine, like it came from somewhere else.”

This event is at Meow

Tickets here

For many of us, music can be like a drug. At first everything and anything feels and is beyond amazing, but over time as our consumption increases, this magical euphoria wears off to a hollow and crushing emptiness. The now discerning music addict desperately searches for that new thing that will make them feel the high that they once had. But it gets harder to again feel this way. Until they stumble across something so unique, original, and idiosyncratic they cannot help but feel giddy, childish excitement.

OvO are one of those bands. Curiously infuriating yet dangerously exhilarating in their inability to be pigeon hold into genre or specific sound. Deftly navigating between noise rock, doom, extreme and blackened metal, industrial sludge and even electronica. “Decibel Magazine” have perhaps described them best by hailing the bands sound as “a David Lynch dance party”. Italy’s OvO, continue to rewrite the definition of what alternative music can be. Something which New Zealand audiences can look forward to seeing this October 2026.

Formed by Stefania Pedretti and Bruno Dorella in Milan, Italy in the late 90s. OvO have taken their inspiration from the likes of Suicide, Swans, and Diamana Galas. Centred around the ear piercing banshee-like vocals of Stefania, and a constant guitar drone and dark menace as the undercurrent of their songs. Bruno, equally essential in their music, pounds a stripped down drum-set as if he were the leader of an invading war party. Coupled with intensive percussion samples to help craft a unique and experimental sound.

With 25 years as a band, 11 albums behind them (including their most recent Gemma), over 1000 shows/festivals across the globe, and sharing stages with many of the biggest names in experimental music; Godflesh, Lightning Bolt, Thurston Moore, Sleepytime Gorilla Music, Psychic TV, Dillinger Escape Plan, Big Brave, Ufomammut, among others - New Zealand audiences have their chance to see one of the most unique and experienced bands still active.

Tickets here

Ready to rock?
We bring to you three kick ass bands ready to blow your socks off and keep the drinks flowing!

7:30PM, Siren:
An indie rock band influencedby Last Night Dinner Party and Fleetwood Mac!

8:30PM, Seismic State:
High octane Alt rock with a blues-funk soul. A true staple of the New Zealand rock circuit!

9:30PM, The Favoured:
90s inspired garage rock band with a modern twist. Guaranteed to blow the roof off!

Tickets here

IMPERIAL SLAVE unleash their third album EXISTENTIAL THREAT - October 16th 2026 on LP, CD and digitally. Produced by legendary German producer WALDEMAR SORYCHTA who has worked with some of the biggest names in Metal. Most notably DAVE LOMBARDO, CHUCK SCHULDINER, OVERKILL and produced GRIP INC., SODOM, UNLEASHED, SENTENCED, MOONSPELL, LUCUNA COIL and so many more....

WALDEMAR has bought a more professional sound to the band, as well helping out with arrangements and even plays some guest lead guitar parts.

The EXISTENTIAL THREAT TOUR will cover NZ from Auckland to Invercargill with tickets available at Under The Radar.co.nz.

Come and check out IMPERIAL SLAVE's ruthless new tracks live...

Tickets here

Need an escape from the lonely, cold nights? Come warm up at Valhalla with a night of Post-Punk, Electro, Industrial and Techno. With performances by bands Breaches and Narrow Utility function, and DJs Current Bias, Ludus, Flipit and Stacey Lee. This night will take you on a journey of buzzy synths and fat bassy kicks. Get sweaty and forget your woes with us.

16th October, Valhalla, 154 Vivian Street. Doors open 9pm.

Tickets here

What if John Coltrane sat in with Animals as Leaders? Antithetical Conjunction live up to the name. A fusion of extreme metal with avant-garde jazz, featuring diabolically heavy riffs and spontaneous collective improvisation. This is a gig for metalheads and jazz cats alike.

Wednesday 14th October
Music from 8pm
Koha (cash only) on the door

It's been 30 years since Weezer released their seminal sophomore album Pinkerton. To celebrate the occasion, Wellington's premier (and perhaps only) Weezer cover band Weezel will be putting on a one-off show at Valhalla, performing tracks off of the cult favourite album, plus a bunch of Blue Album songs, and even a few Pinkerton B-sides to round out the set.

Sun 11th October
Valhalla, Wellington
R18, Doors 7pm

Support act TBA

Tickets here

Do you have opinions on what REAL EMO is?? Well guess what poser, the answer is POP PUNK and METALCORE!!! Because that’s what I liked in high school!!! If you agree, or disagree, then come to Valhalla to see that stuff LIVE played by the sick and twisted FELL OFF BOY!!!!!
If we still haven’t convinced you then you can yell at us about if it was “fifth wave” (made up, not real) enough for your long ass beanie.

The amuse bouches for the evening are none other than the sad, silly cowboy clowns of GIFT HORSE, and the heart stealing, heart pumping and heart wrenching ZADIE!

Come on down for a night of funny vowel sounds, angst and eyeliner.

One dark and stormy night, the 7th eve of October, Valhalla will open its doors for all those who dare. A bewitching night of all the local music you’ve been dying to see.

From the shadows come Wellington’s Lucy Dibble, Landlord Special, and Synthia x Ghanjee

𝔏𝔲𝔠𝔶 𝔇𝔦𝔟𝔟𝔩𝔢
With over 50,000 followers on Tik Tok, Lucy Dibble's punk-rock/pop sound inspired by 2000s artists such as Hayley Williams (Paramore), Avril Lavigne and Amy Lee (Evanescence) has taken the internet by storm. Perfectly spooky, catch her haunting and dangerous sound live at 'A Night to Dismember'.

𝔏𝔞𝔫𝔡𝔩𝔬𝔯𝔡 𝔖𝔭𝔢𝔠𝔦𝔞𝔩
If you listen closely you may hear the faint hum of a dehumidifier, or the drip of a leaky fridge. Indie rock music does not require healthy homes compliance, it requires mildew and perseverance. Landlord Special is the solo project of Leif Jasper-Owens, interpreted and performed by Ellen, Mitch, Joseph and Leif.

To start your spooky evening: 𝔖𝔶𝔫𝔱𝔥𝔦𝔞 𝔵 𝔊𝔥𝔞𝔫𝔧𝔢𝔢
Synthia x Ghanjee are a synth duo from Pōneke. They began through a shared love for dancing and dance music and manifested into a live electronic exploration. Unconfined from genre their sets can be eclectic and high in energy or tranquil and ambient. Regardless, each set is crafted to take listeners along a journey as one song and one genre alike morphs into another.

Doors - 7:30
Landlord Special - 8:00
Lucy Dibble - 8:45
Synthia x Ghanjee - 9:40

Presales here

Early Bird: $10
GA: $15
Doors: $20 [Limited]

Wellington 4 piece progressive metal band Claemus is proud to present a night of world class modern metal in support of their latest single 'Prototype'.

Joining Claemus is Whanganui's Pull Down the Sun, All I Seek and Make Dark, rounding out a showcase for the best prog metal Aotearoa has on offer.

As Claemus' one and only headline show of 2026, the band will be bringing the heat with a not-to-be-missed setlist featuring their powerful, iconic guitar and synthesizer driven music, digging deep into their back catalog as well as performing never before heard new material.

Tickets here

Electronic voice from the underground sound of the city re-emerges and presents producers, storytellers, and sit-alone-listeners eyes to three upcoming pillars of the Wellington music scene.

Electronic shoegaze duo Laluna open the show with blissful dreampop soundscapes and serene harmonic melodies, layered to breathe divine into space and time. Backed by a live band, Laluna grow their ethereal voice onstage, further expanding the encapsulating reverie of their musical catalogue.

Doggabarka, experimental electro rap artist, presents work from his latest release to his very first album. Chilling visuals and gritty noise art propels the unexpected maze of sound fronted by Doggabarka's lyrical storytelling. An air of mystery moves aggressive beats and industrial detail into hypnotic and addictive alt hip-hop creation.

Infecting audiences with his high energy stage presence and vibrant, ever-moving beats, Awkwatch bends influence of rap, hip-hop, and trap sound into a captivating presentation of electronic rhythm. Unusual synth play, boosted by travelling 808 bass, paints a sonic palette of vivid colour and honest creativity, harnessed by dynamic vocal staging.

Tickets here

Come Experience the Twisted Frequency fundraiser event held by Elly Mae, hexxer, and Felix Bird.

The Event will be a showcase of classic Wellington Alternative Rock projects, as well as Samuel Butler's debut Wellington performance through his solo project, hexxer. All profits raised from the event will be donated directly to Twisted Frequency Festival.

Lineup:

Elly Mae: 8:30

hexxer: 9:20

Felix Bird: 10:10

Event Details:

Doors Open: 8:00 pm

Music Starts: 8:30 pm

Event Finishes: 11:00 pm

Online Tickets: $10

Door Sales: $15

Sclera, Mothburn and Lucid, for one night at Valhalla.

27th of September 2026
Valhalla, Wellington

This has been in the works for some time guys. Bring your best moves and support some young local acts in the heavy scene.

$10 tickets online now here
$15 door sales on the night

Doors 7:30pm
Music 8:00pm

See you there!

One of the most magnificent live bands in Aotearoa (maybe the best?) and certainly the wildest, Cindy last month spilled the beans about their long-anticipated debut album The Way I Do, out on 4th September via 1:12 Records and Sunreturn, and now they've gone and announced an eight date nationwide release tour.

First choice local supports for such legendary garage-punk combos as Hard-Ons, Guitar Wolf, King Brothers and OFF!, the Tāmaki four-piece of Scott Brown, James King, Gloria Florence, and Arlo Grey will be hitting stages (and surrounding rafters / mosh pits) near you this spring.

Tickets here

 VAMPIRE DISKO: THE DEBUT 

Advance tickets at: https://buytickets.at/12xuproductions/2269600

For one evening only, Wellington descends into darkness as "vampyres" (don't worry, vampires aren't real...or are they?), goths, and nocturnal misfits gather on the dance floor for the city's first ever VAMPIRE DISKO

Wellington's newest night of Goth, Post-Punk, EBM, Dark Synth Pop, Post Punk, Industrial and Wave for creatures of the night who enjoy getting dressed as vampires, or at least being around people that do!

We invite you to arrive dressed for the eternal night inspired by cult classic vampire films such as Interview with the Vampire, Queen of the Damned, The Lost Boys, The Hunger, Nosferatu and sooo many more... The more dramatic your look, the better! Victorian, Modern, or Halloween Vampire- your efforts will not go unnoticed!

MUSIC IS DECIDEDLY DARK: Expect DJs playing a large amount of 80s classic goth like Bauhaus, Sisters of Mercy, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Christian Death, Clan of Xymox, Skinny Puppy, Nitzer Ebb, Front 242, classic dark 80s like Depeche Mode, Soft Cell, The Cure, Echo and the Bunnymen and New Order and many cutting edge brand new artists who lean toward the dark side. Think She Past Away, Boy Harsher, Riki, Kontravoid, Lebanon Hanover, Nox Novacula, H.Ä.L.T., The Frozen Autumn, Patriarchy....

And for those of who you want a taste of 90s-10s, we won't completely shy away, but you simply MUST request a song in the Facebook event if you really have your heart set on something.

Soundtracking the night: DJ Matai, Nightmare + Coffin Nail spinning until the early hours. We DO of course plan to have you in bed before SUNLIGHT HITS!

This is a LGBTQIA+ friendly event where self-expression is encouraged and the dance floor belongs to everyone.

Sharpen your fangs. Dress to kill. Join us for Wellington's most exciting night of the year!

The first Vampire Disko begins on Friday, September 25th
 See you after darkness falls

9pm-2am
Friday, Sept 25th 2026
Valhalla
154 Vivian Street
Te Aro, Wellington 6011
18+

 Presale tickets are limited. Get yours before they sell out

a long time coming... ALL FEMALE-FRONTED BAND GIG 💋

bring your girlfriends, spikes, ripped tights, and a reason to scream

this one’s for the girls who turn the volume up, take up space, and aren’t afraid to get a little fucking loud💥📢

from dreamy melodies to dirty riffs and everything in between...featuring
@boyboybandband
@dystonia_band_
@diplopoda.muzic
@jqiime

📍 VALHALLA
🚪 DOORS OPEN AT 7:30PM
🎟️ EARLY BIRD: $10 (limited)
🎟️ GENERAL / DOORS: $15
🎟️SPECIAL UNDER 18 + GUARDIAN COMBO: $20
*under 18 attendees will need to have a legal guardian accompany them at all times

Tickets here

girls to the front. see you in the pit.

Libbianski hit Valhalla Friday 18th September. The release of their EP 'Suffering' will be belted out, if you caught this Doom/Blackgaze trio at the Deafheaven show you know what to expect.

They will be joined by DAHTM, Ruminari and Vortekke. Get tickets at UTR or $20 at the door.

Libbianski has wax arriving in the next few days, pressed and printed by the local @holidayrecords - DM the band or the store for a copy.

Always a big ups to Ben at Valhalla for the continuous hard work!

See you there!

Tickets here

Join us this September for an evening of extreme and abrasive music, with three unique Wellington acts delivering their own varieties of sonic discomfort, dredged from the darkest depths of metal, punk, noise and drone.

WINCE
DREAMWEB
RITUAL HEAPS

VALHALLA | WELLINGTON
FREE ENTRY | 8PM START

Tickets here

SHRED FEST 2026 is coming! The renowned travelling metal festival will storm across New Zealand, delivering an unmatched celebration of technical excellence, intensity, and musical precision.

This year’s New Zealand edition features two of the most acclaimed names in modern extreme metal Obscura (GER) & Fvkvshima (NZ)

OBSCURA (GER) – Progressive death metal pioneers and masters of technical virtuosity. Following two successful Australian tours along with a return to New Zealand, OBSCURA is back to present their latest album A Sonication as part of their ongoing world tour.

Joining the international lineup are one of New Zealands most formidable local acts:

FVKVSHIMA - A progressive, driving, mechanical powerhouse surfacing from the shores of Wellington, NZ. Gargantuan, lurching drop-tuned phrases, layered with soaring apocalyptic textures. Resurrecting members from Shakahn, Backyard Burial, Planet of the Dead, and Diecast, FVKVSHIMA has collective decades of songwriting experience across a variety of genres, now condensed into its menacing live set.

Additional guests will appear in every city on this tour

Line Up
OBSCURA (GER)
FVKVSHIMA (NZ)
+ Special Guests

Dates
15/09 NZ Auckland – Whammy
16/09 NZ Wellington – Valhalla
17/09 NZ Christchurch – Churchills Tavern

SHRED FEST 2026 promises a diverse and uncompromising showcase of extreme metal — from technical precision to devastating heaviness. Expect the ultimate convergence of musicianship, passion, and power.

Tickets on sale via www.yourmatebookings.com & https://www.shredfest.net/

Obscura shared their thoughts on the upcoming tour:
"We're thrilled to bring Shred Fest to Australia in 2026 alongside the crushing talents of Fallujah, Anoxia, and Ashen. It’s been a long time coming, and we're ready to deliver a relentless set for our fans down under. No VIP packages — every band will be at the venue to meet you, talk music, and celebrate the most extreme sounds around. Come early, stay late, and support every act. We can’t wait to see you all there."

Official SHRED FEST channels;

Website: https://www.shredfest.net/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569365417641 / https://www.facebook.com/shredfestausnz / https://www.facebook.com/yourmatebookings
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shredfest_moreisnotenough / https://www.instagram.com/shredfestausnz/
Tiktok: @shredfest_world
YouTube: youtube.com/@SHREDFEST_MOREISNOTENOUGH

All Interviews and Press Enquiries; please get in touch with Anthony ab@yourmatebookings.com

STRUNG OUT (USA) RETURN FOR FULL-BLOWN NZ TOUR —PERFORMING
SUBURBANTEENAGEWASTELANDBLUES IN FULL

Tickets Available here!

Strung Out tore through NZ in 2023, and you lapped it up. You loved them, and they loved
you—so much so that they’re returning this September for a full-blown New Zealand tour, hitting
four locations across both the North and South Island.

And this time, they’re bringing something special.

To celebrate the 30th Anniversary of SUBURBANTEENAGEWASTELANDBLUES, Strung Out
will be playing the album in its entirety.

One of punk’s holy grails, it’s fast, ferocious, and
precise—a record that helped define the genre and influenced generations of bands that
followed.

Released in 1996, SUBURBANTEENAGEWASTELANDBLUES pushed the boundaries of the
genre—faster, sharper, and more intricate than anything that came before. Three decades on, it
still hits hard, and hearing it played live, front to back, is an experience no self-respecting punk
fan can miss.

Hailing from Simi Valley, California, Strung Out are long-standing punk rock royalty and one of
Fat Wreck Chords’ defining “big four.” With decades of touring under their belts, they have a
proven track record of igniting crowds and delivering high-octane, full-throttle punk shows.

Expect a night of relentless energy: razor-sharp riffs, pounding drums, and shout-along
choruses delivered with force.

This is controlled chaos at its best: sweat-soaked rooms, ringing
ears, and intensity that pulls you right in.

Last time Strung Out were here, shows sold out. This run will be no different.

Don’t sleep on it, or you’ll miss it.

FINIS OMNIUM 4 is upon us! With a crushing line up set to stomp Valhalla, this show will take no prisoners.
Headlined by Palmerston North's The Rising Tide, with support by Sciolism (BOP), Corpsefeast (HB), Teeth and Nails (WLG), Locked in Stasis (CHCH) and Broken By Design (WLG), this show is set to be a banger from top to bottom.
12/9/26 at Valhalla
$20 door entry
7pm doors, first band 7:30

GET SOME!

After converging at PSY FI festival in May for the first time since Covid, shoegazers the Golden Awesome are playing in Wellington again - this time with a bunch of their friends.

Beach Balls are psych rock meets motorik drone, Ceramic is 80s infused trippy synth wave, S.L. Reflex is mystery electro pop. Visuals by Mike Heynes.

Tickets on UTR

Boom! we're back, and on the 9th of September, we are ready to bring the walls of Valhalla down!

Siege Machine is a Progressive Grunge/Alt-rock Band bringing heavy hitting riffs and a drenching of melodic angst.

We are so excited to be joined by the Post-Gaze / experimental rock quintet The World is Against You and the Grungegaze/Alt-Rock band Molipane.

Three Alt-rock/ Grunge bands, One heavy night.

This lineup is so stacked it'd be a crime to miss it.

Tickets here

Poster by: May Bewg

Eyegum Music Collective presents GREAT SOUNDS GREAT, a multi-venue music and arts festival taking over Pōneke's Te Aro precinct for one night only on Saturday 5 September 2026. Showcasing 40 of Aotearoa's best artists across 10 neighbouring venues, this is one big party you shouldn't miss.

Tickets here

Eyegum has worked hard to curate a programme that is sure to offer something for everyone, from first time gig-goers to seasoned live music obsessives. The eclectic lineup includes national treasures like Bic Runga and Savage, heavy-hitting legends Beastwars, Kody Nielson’s enigmatic project Silicon, indie math rockers So So Modern, powerhouse party starter Mokotron, local hip hop sensation MĀ, and everything in between.

Tonic Collective are back with an impeccably curated lineup for their travelling stage, which includes Pitch Black celebrating 30 years as Aotearoa electronica pioneers and award winning sonic explorer Amamelia.

It's not all music, three of our best poets Chris Tse, Dani Yourukova, and Jackson McCarthy will also perform.

Excitingly for 2026, we are adding a new venue, the incomparable Meow Nui, helping make this year's event bigger and better than ever. We are also throwing a warm-up party, The Night Before, across three venues in Newtown village on Friday 4 September. This will showcase 12 incredible up-and-coming artists and is the perfect way to prepare for the main event.

Ticket holders will receive a wristband that will give them access to each of the participating venues throughout the event. Information on how to pick up wristbands will be provided to ticket holders closer to the time.

Limited tickets, including for The Night Before, on sale now from eyegum.co.nz/great-sounds-great

Presented with support from Abandoned Brewery, RadioActive.FM, and Wellington City Council.

Venues: Meow Nui, San Fran, Meow, Valhalla, Rogue & Vagabond, Bedlam & Squalor, Hotel Bristol, St Peter's on Willis, Flying Nun Records, Tonic Travelling Stage.

Lineup: Amamelia, Beastwars, Bic Runga, Bri Louise, Chris Tse, Crook, Cruelly, Dani Yourukova, Deathro (JPN), Dream Chambers, Fazed on a Pony, Groove Council, Hemi Hemingway, Hihi & The Stitchbirds, Hunter Jackson, In Good Company, Jackson McCarthy, JELL, Ludus b2b Rizzo, MĀ, Mauri Aura, mHz, Mokotron, More Blue Noise, Naakz & Babyzoot, Office Dog, Pearly*, Pitch Black, Savage (DJ Set), Savagehine, Sheeps, Silicon, So So Modern, Soft Bait, Tamatha Paul, The Sour, The Spectre Collective: Live-Scored Cinema, Tūi Band, Unsanitary Napkin.