For two nights this week, some of Aotearoa’s most exciting emerging and established artists will take over Auckland’s Whammy! and Double Whammy! for the 2026 Going Global music showcase, turning three stages into a rapid-fire snapshot of just how broad the country’s music scene has become.
Running alongside the Going Global Music Summit, the festival brings together 23 acts from across the motu on August 27th and 28th, with artists given just 20 minutes to make their mark. The lineup jumps freely between post-punk, hip-hop, neo-soul, electronic music, alt-country, Pacific psychedelia, hyperpop and plenty that sits somewhere between neat genre labels.
But one of the best things about a lineup this stacked is discovering who the artists themselves are excited to see. So, ahead of Going Global, Rolling Stone AU/NZ asked those playing the festival to choose a favourite song by one of their fellow showcasing artists.
The answers reveal plenty of mutual admiration, a few recurring favourites, and a music community paying close attention to what its peers are creating. From Paige’s tender pop and Mokomokai’s distinctly Aotearoa hip-hop to LEAO’s Pacific futurism and Awning’s alternative rock, here are the Going Global artists championing each other.
Ardon England
Paige — “Waves”
My pick would be “Waves” by Paige. Every time I hear this song, it hits me. Paige’s voice is incredible, and her songwriting feels so honest and effortless. There’s a beautiful simplicity to Waves that makes it timeless. It’s one of those songs that almost anyone can connect with, and that’s something really special.
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Awning
Half/Angel — “Debt Collector”
Half/Angel are an incredibly good band from Te Whanganui-a-tara, “Debt Collector” is my favourite song they’ve put out so far. It’s the drivey sort of guitar music I like. Great intertwining guitar work, creative vocals, ripping outro. What is not to love. They are also very nice people, which is a bonus. – Christian Dimick from Awning
CAITLIN
Awning — “Mast” & “Pure and Simple”
I love the songs “Mast” and “Pure and Simple” off Awning’s new record. They remind me of the crisp autumn months in Ōtautahi Christchurch which is when I was listening to them.
“Mast” feels heavy in nature and melancholic whilst propelling forward in this way that feels urgent. Like you’re being dragged through this daily routine you don’t want to be a part of; feeling drained and disappointed.
“Pure and Simple” feels like a quiet appreciation for easy companionship that feels uncomplicated and just lovely. I think it’s such a sweet song that covers the comfort in getting to know someone slowly that brings grounding simplicity into your life.
Dropper
Awning — “Gold Star”
We love all of Awning’s music, especially their debut EP “Gold Star”. The title track really drives through a peaceful place with both instrumentation choices, vocal performance and lyrics. It’s our favourite Awning song, both recorded and live; we can’t wait to hear it.
Frank On Tap
Mokomokai — “Wings”
This track has it all, has the intoxicating intro and outro vocals, has a perfectly emotional, constant beat which helps the verse shine, all while rapping about the real life pressures that are included in being a musician, dealing with real struggles that people go through, and the sacrifices that we make to keep the wheels turning.
Greatsouth
LEAO — “LALELEI”
Favourite waiata from another featuring artist is LALELEI by LEAO. If you want to know what the South Pacific is in sonic form, listen to that waiata and watch their music video.
Guardian Singles
Mokomokai — “Pono”
Mokomokai — we loved “Pono” when it came out in 2022. Their music is so visceral and it demands you be on its wavelength. In a parallel universe if Merata Mita and David Lynch had collaborated on a film this would be the soundtrack. Never seen them live so looking forward to it.
Half/Angel
Awning — “The Rabbit”
Awning’s self-titled album is an Aotearoa alternative classic. Each song works so well together, it truly sounds like a group of friends making music they’re incredibly passionate about. Half/Angel’s favourite track is “The Rabbit” by Awning. Christian’s tone is unmatched, Riley’s drumming is some of the most creative in the scene right now.”
Hun Lynch
LEAO — “Musika Malie”
I think what LEAO is doing through their music is a kind of brilliant pacific archiving that drives us beautifully towards a Pacific futurism. The music somehow manages to escape the expectations of the current moment and dance between old dreamings and new ones. I have loved this song in many of its forms and especially love it when LEAO plays this live, it always goes off.
Keith Pereira
Paige — “Miles Away”
Beautiful, emotive writing, soothing vocals, great harmonies and awesome production! What a knockout song!
Louis Baker
MOKOMOKAI — “TUMEKE”
MOKOMOKAI mix two worlds that I love. The vibe is like golden age hip hop through a te ao Māori lens. You can hear the boom-bap DNA and the years of crate digging behind every track. They’re distinctive.
LEAO
Hun Lynch — “Conan” and Greatsouth — “It’s Getting Hotti”
A big part of our drive as a contemporary Pacific band in Aotearoa is being blessed to be a part of such an inspiring community of fellow Māori/Pacific music makers. Hun Lynch and Greatsouth are the new frontier of a wave of alternative music florushing from our beloved community. “Conan” is a grand cinematic vision captured in sound, which Hannah masterfully orates powerful homage over. “It’s Getting Hotti” is a reminder of the indie bedrooms we all grew up in, dreaming of what music would sound like if it was made by us — for us. Aotearoa music isn’t a monolith and both these tracks motivate us in LEAO to keep pushing the boat out.
Mainard Larkin
Hun Lynch — “Post Truth Allegory”
I love this track. It’s very original and moves wherever it wants to go without feeling forced. The production is delightful and creates a feeling which is very expansive, and perfectly moody.
Mokomokai
Tyran — “Heaven”
Essential lovers rock from the heart of Glendene before GTA 6. We are truly blessed.
Paige
Ray Leslie — “who do you see”
My favourite song from an artist on the going global line up is “who do you see” by Ray Leslie. I’m a big fan of Ray Leslie, she has big stage presence for someone who’s 4’11! I love the energy in her music and her introspective lyricism.
Pearly*
Dropper — “Anchor”
Would love to shout out Awning, Dropper, and Half/Angel. They’re all great band friends of ours, but if we gotta pick one song it’s “Anchor” by Dropper.
Powder Chutes
Mokomokai — “Kupe”
We’re going with “Kupe” by Mokomokai, who we’ve recently discovered through their contribution to the last Troy Kingi album, so we’re a little late to the table on this one.
As a band the Powder Chutes members have wildly diverse musical tastes, but Mokomokai sit in a genre we all love, which we’ll irreverently call our Tom Scott zone; a uniquely kiwi flavour of jazzy, gritty, hip hop full of character and unashamedly wearing its origins on its shoulders. Shout out to Mokomokai, we’re excited to see these guys play at Going Global.
Ray Leslie
Paige — “Miles Away”
My favourite artist on the line-up would have to go to Paige! So many bangers to choose from but I would probably pick Miles Away. It’s such a gorgeous track — the piano, Paige’s voice; it’s so tender yet so strong. The way Ant and Paige harmonise — the melodies, the lyrics, the chorus is HYPNOTISING. I’ve seen her perform this numerous times and every time, I’m blown away.
SKILAA
Mainard Larkin — “Rattlesnake Boy”
We chose Rattlesnake Boy cos, other than being the best most beautiful song about wrestlers ever to be penned, Mikey and Chels and Tom got to play on it (and Chels got to arrange it) for the Exploding Rainbow Orchestra this year (as well as when it originally debuted in 2022(?).
Chels’s favorite line is: “ride on into reno, cigarettes and keno”
Mike’s favourite line: “The sinner has a future/The saint has a past”
Sola Rosa
Mokomokai — “The One”
This song is so slick. The production is crisp and delicious, the rhythm section is so in the pocket, and the musicianship is deceptively simple but super deep. The MC’s lyrics and flow are clever, playful, and beautifully crafted. Oohwee!!
Tusekah
Paige — “Why do we wanna be in love?”
I’ve listened to her music for a long time so it was difficult to pick a favourite. Recently I’ve had “Why do we wanna be in love?” on repeat.
Tyran
TUSEKAH & LEAO
It was impossible to choose a favourite out of these two artists. Tusekah’s voice is incomparable to any other alto I’ve ever heard. Her tone carries a richness and depth that no other singer in NZ has (in my opinion). I’ve tried to draw a comparison, but I believe she is one of a kind. Rather than sit here and try to explain her voice, I’d urge you to go and listen to my favourite track of hers and her latest single, “Lay it down”.
Leao holds a very special place in my heart. Not only because I’m Samoan or have worked with the incredibly talented Navakatoa, but also because I believe they’ve joined Shepherds Reign in elevating what Samoan music really is. For too long, people have been misled into believing that Siren Jams and Reggae remixes are all that modern Samoan music has to offer. In their latest single “Lalelei”, they put on full display not only their grasp of a Samoan feel but also their mastery of instruments and ever-expanding experimental approach to music.
