Music

A medieval figure eyeballs the audience, snacking on Doritos to the soundtrack of crunched celery. Live Foley art, cinematic sound and dance meet (un)reality in dancer/choreographer Rebecca Jensen and sound artist Aviva Endean’s ode to the complexity of our current world. 

Likened to Kate Bush, Anna Meredith and Björk, Esther Swift explores ritual, connection, isolation, and the natural world with pedal harp and voice, spanning genres from classical chamber to Scottish folk music. Prolific, bold, innovative – all the way from Scotland for this special performance.

Keen to get right amongst the arts action and grow your skills under the guidance of our amazing Festival artists? We hear you!  

Midday music delights are back to brighten your lunch hour! First up: Rosemary Galton and Kyoko Takashima. 

Come celebrate the future of Aotearoa music right here in Whakatū! Tune Up will again transform Kirby Lane into an outdoor music hub with an amazing line up of rangatahi musicians.

After wowing us in Thoroughly Modern Māui, award-winning Rutene Spooner returns to celebrate showband legacy, idolise the greatest Māori showman and tussle with the future of Māori in entertainment. This is everything but an impersonation show. Can you be like Billy without being the butt of the joke?

Rhythms of the Pacific recreated on thundering toms and traditional pātē paired with huge live performance, Shepherds Reign bring their fierce Polynesian pride to our opening night. Shepherds Reign are a rare presence who demand the world stage.

Featuring true icons of Aotearoa music and the most exciting new talent, the Deville dancefloor is ready for you, music lovers! 

Likened to Kate Bush, Anna Meredith and Björk, Esther Swift explores ritual, connection, isolation, and the natural world with pedal harp and voice, spanning genres from classical chamber to Scottish folk music. Prolific, bold, innovative – all the way from Scotland for this special performance.

Join acclaimed saxophonist Thabani Gapara and his band in a vibrant celebration of his new album Dzindza (ancestry) which blends traditional African rhythms with contemporary jazz sounds. From original Afro Jazz compositions to reimagined familiar classics, these flamboyant and infectious rhythms will get your feet stomping.

Iconic Te Whanganui-a-Tara collective Rhombus are true masters of their unique, distinctively South Pacific sound – spiced with funk, soul, reggae and electronic dub wobbly bass. From 2002 album Bass Player to 2024’s Remixes and Archives Volume 2, the return of Rhombus with Lisa Tomlins & TK Paradza is not to be missed. 

We invite nature lovers and music aficionados alike to immerse themselves in a magical fusion of music and the natural world at the Sanctuary. New Zealand String Quartet presents an unforgettable experience that evokes the beauty of nature and birdsong. 

Award-winning musicians and collaborators Ariana Tikao (Kāi Tahu) and Bob Bickerton have joined forces to create Muriwai. A confluence of two rivers, their music merges Māori and Celtic musical traditions through Celtic harp, vocals, and taonga puoro. 

Piezo transducers wired to locally found objects, augmented electronica and real-time projection of ghostly hints of underlying sound coalesce in a series of sculptural instruments. From the creators of Piki Mai, see a new multimedia work develop across two days or join for the final performance.

Midday music delights are back to brighten your lunch hour! This week, enjoy a stunning hour with pianist Ya-Ting Liou.

Featuring true icons of Aotearoa music and the most exciting new talent, the Deville dancefloor is ready for you, music lovers! 

The perfect pairing of two boldly creative artists is found in veteran producer Haz Beats (Home Brew) and soul-heavy vocalist Miloux. A striking fusion of jazz, soul and hip hop topped with soaring vocals – expect to be completely enraptured! 

What better way to celebrate 30 years of Nelson Arts Festivals than with this all-time favourite – please join us for the street party of the year, Whakatū! There’s so much to enjoy: the parade, pop-up performances, a whole zone curated by the amazing folx at Pasefika Arts and Culture Collective (PACC), a stellar music line-up, and delicious kai from our food vendors. We can’t wait to see you there!

South Korean-born Yeyeong Jenny Jin has won many awards, including the 2023 Michael Hill International Violin Competition. 2023 Sydney International Piano Competition winner, Jeonghwan Kim joins Jenny as part of a 10-centre tour for an evening of mesmerising sonata.

Experience the greatest concert film of all time like never before: Stop Making Sense was shot over three nights at Hollywood’s Pantages Theatre in December 1983 and features Talking Heads‘ most memorable songs. Dance floor tickets available! 

A three-day rave condensed into an award-winning art performance: three dancers, non-stop, endurance, club culture. A spectacle of the human body as victim to music, passion and our endless desire to achieve more. Prepare to be (literally) moved. Dance floor tickets available! 

Join us for an unforgettable night at Wero, a curated club event that honors and celebrates the vibrant contributions of BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities within Aotearoa’s electronic music scene. This unique gathering is more than just a club night; it’s a powerful homage to those who have dared to challenge societal norms, push boundaries, and reshape the cultural landscape.

The incredible, award-winning Tami Neilson performs a collection of her favourites from Willie Nelson’s Songbook, while sharing stories of working with the man himself.