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NEW ZEALAND – FOCUS COUNTRY @ THE GREAT ESCAPE 2026
Thursday 14th May
12pm – 4pm @ Patterns, 10 Marine Parade, Brighton
The New Zealand Music Commission and Live Nation New Zealand present New Zealand as the focus country at The Great Escape Festival in Brighton on Thursday 14th May 2026. The showcase takes place at Patterns, 10 Marine Parade, from 12pm to 4pm, marking the first time New Zealand has held this distinction at the festival. Nine exceptional Kiwi artists will perform across both floors of the venue, representing the depth and diversity of Aotearoa’s contemporary music scene.
New Zealand’s musical legacy spans decades, producing global artists including Lorde, Neil Finn, Ladyhawke, Alien Weaponry, The Naked and Famous, and Flight of the Conchords. This showcase builds on that foundation whilst introducing emerging talent to international audiences. The partnership between the New Zealand Music Commission and Live Nation New Zealand creates a platform for artists who are beginning to make their mark beyond their home country.
“I am thrilled for New Zealand to be the lead country at The Great Escape this year,” says Alan Holt of the New Zealand Music Commission. “The festival has always been a significant part of the New Zealand Music Commission’s international activities and has consistently been a joy to attend both from a networking and showcasing perspective and as a place to experience fantastic music. Over the past few years, we have proudly supported artists like Aldous Harding, The Beths, DARTZ, LEISURE, NO CIGAR and Teeks, and this year we along with Live Nation New Zealand look forward to introducing the world to a new and sparkling collection of some of the best new music NZ has to offer.”
Mark Kneebone, Managing Director of Live Nation New Zealand, emphasises the partnership’s broader purpose. “We’re stoked to be teaming up with the NZ Music Commission for the 20th anniversary of the Great Escape festival,” he explains. “Live Nation is about more than just putting on shows. It’s about being a genuine part of the local scene and helping our artists break through on the world stage. This partnership is a massive opportunity to give Kiwi talent a global platform, whilst also bringing that international energy back home to keep the local industry inspired and growing.”
The showcase features nine artists whose work spans multiple genres and approaches. Singer-songwriter Luca George brings over six million total artist streams and recent recognition from Rolling Stone magazine as one of their Future 25. Vera Ellen, named Best Alternative Artist at the 2022 Aotearoa Music Awards, continues to build international momentum following her albums on Flying Nun Records. WHO SHOT SCOTT, whose single ‘LONERS ANTHEM’ spent four weeks at number one on the NZ College Radio Network charts, represents the alternative hip-hop scene with a sound described as “filthy and frantic” by international critics.
LEAO synthesises Pacific musical reference with contemporary ideas, creating what has been termed ‘niu wave’ and ‘Pacific neo psychedelia’. Hemi Hemingway combines 1950s and 1960s influences with post-punk and New Romantic elements, earning praise from BBC Radio 6 Music. Jude Kelly’s debut EP ‘The Seven Spirits of Her’ received attention from Pitchfork founder Ryan Schreiber and landed her support slots with Lewis Capaldi. Office Dog, signed to Flying Nun Records and New West Records, recently completed a 16-date US tour supporting Nada Surf. Ratbag, the project of 23-year-old Sophie Brown, blends punk, shoegaze, art-pop, electronica and new wave into what observers describe as a bizarre, thrilling musical concoction. Ringlets, the post-punk quartet whose sophomore album was mixed at Abbey Road Studios, has built a reputation through sold-out Australian shows and festival appearances.
The New Zealand Music Commission operates as a government-funded agency committed to growing the New Zealand music business internationally. The Commission undertakes projects and partnerships aimed at exporting New Zealand music and assisting music businesses in working across borders. This showcase at The Great Escape represents the kind of strategic international activity that has supported New Zealand artists in reaching new audiences whilst maintaining connection to their home music community.
By Stuart Rolt I used to hate magic. OK, that’s a strong word, but anything
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