TUNE UP

Country singer and songwriter from Nelson 

Isobel Stevens is a Nelson singer and songwriter who performs traditional and contemporary country, accompanying herself on guitar and piano. She began singing at her country music club aged five and this year won Overall Junior at the NZ Gold Guitar Awards, earning a spot at Australia’s Tamworth festival. 

Genre hopping singer and songwriter from Nelson 

Renee Ervine writes music for everyone. The Nelson singer and songwriter moves freely between styles with just her voice and a guitar. With two originals out through Studio7010 and more on the way, she’s a four time Play It Strange finalist and took Best Vocals at the 2025 Rockquest Nelson Regional Finals. 

5-piece genre hopping rock from Nelson

Melodramatic love to explore, moving across genres and mixing originals with covers. The five piece from Nelson College for Girls and Waimea College is led by vocalist Mae Salmon, with two guitars, bass and drums behind her. They took third at the 2026 Rockquest Nelson finals and have played Rock the Boathouse. 

Indie pop rock singer and songwriter from Golden Bay 

Golden Bay’s Poppy Willow has been performing since she was five and writing songs since thirteen. She plays indie pop rock on electric and acoustic guitar, mixing originals with covers, and sings with local band Chain Reaction. This year she won first place at Rockquest, and she’s back for her second Tune Up.

5-piece alternative rock from Nelson 

Armadillo started out as a four piece at Nelson College in 2025 and have reached the Rockquest regional finals two years running, with originals ‘Questions’ and ‘Misread’. Now joined by vocalist Micol Aristaco, they channel TOOL, Radiohead and Stone Temple Pilots, and nothing gets them going like a responsive crowd. 

9-piece jazz funk with a full horn section, from Nelson

The Walkers are a nine piece jazz and funk band from Nayland College, with a full horn section and one mission: get the crowd dancing. Mixing high energy originals and covers, they’ve played the Nelson Jazz Festival, Rockquest Regional Finals and Rock the City, and they’re back for another Tune Up. 

4-piece indie rock from Nelson 

Holographic came together just ten days before the 2026 Rockquest heats as a last minute entry, and went all the way to the Regional Finals. The Nelson four piece plays indie rock that swings from upbeat and energetic to groovy and mellow, and they’re always experimenting with new sounds. 

4-piece alternative rock from Richmond 

MUDBONE are a four piece from Waimea College playing hard hitting, high energy alternative rock. Tain O’Neill, Logan Olsen, Flynn Ellis and Ashdyn McDowell have been building their sound at school gigs, and Tune Up is their chance to show Nelson what they’ve got.