In Partnership with McDonald’s
Stuck for gig ideas across New Zealand this summer? Don’t worry, Rolling Stone AU/NZ has got you covered.
As soon as the sun breaks through the Land of the Long White Cloud, Kiwis really have only one thing on their mind: going to concerts and festivals.
Seeing live music with your mates often involves a classic summer road trip, whether you’re driving into Auckland CBD for a headline show at Spark Arena or trekking to the South Island for Rhythm & Alps, and summer roadie season also means Driver Tax.
Us drivers know what that means: whatever your mates are munching on while you’re behind the wheel, you crave – nay, deserve – a cut.
Luckily Macca’s has you covered with a Driver Tax Calculator so you don’t have to calculate what you’re owed yourself. Simply download the Macca’s app to work out what your passengers owe you, and you can even help them pay it with cool food deals all summer long. When you get to pick the tunes AND get the Driver Tax, it feels good to be the driver.
Before you hit the road, check out Rolling Stone AU/NZ‘s list of the best gigs taking place around New Zealand between February 23rd-March 8th below.
Great Gable
Friday, February 23rd
Whammy Bar, Auckland
Tickets: Great Gable
Australian indie rock outfit are coming back for another trip around New Zealand. Armed with exciting new songs and their usual energetic live show, they’ll perform across the country this February.
Private Function With DARTZ
Friday, February 23rd
Smash Palace, Gisborne
Tickets: Under the Radar
Aussie punk meets Kiwi punk for what’s sure to be a thrilling night of live music. Wellington’s DARTZ will be looking ahead to their forthcoming album, Dangerous Day to Be a Cold One, while Private Function are making the journey over from Melbourne for their first-ever shows in New Zealand.
Waguan & Jujulipps
Friday, February 23rd
Valhalla, Wellington
Tickets: Under the Radar
Expect a huge night of Afrobeats, hip hop, and everything else in between when Waguan and Jujulipps present ‘We Outside’ in Wellington this Friday night. The latter has been widely praised by Rolling Stone AU/NZ, and also impressed at SXSW Sydney last year.
The National
Saturday, February 24th
Spark Arena, Auckland
Sunday, February 25th
TSB Arena, Wellington
Tickets: Ticketmaster
The beloved indie rockers are returning to New Zealand for the first time in six years this month. Their visit comes after their sold-out Auckland shows were unfortunately cancelled in 2020, but they’ve got lots of exciting new material to make up for lost time. Read frontman Matt Berninger’s interview with Rolling Stone AU/NZ here.
Jonas Brothers
Tuesday, February 27th
Spark Arena, Auckland
Tickets: Live Nation
Ready for a blast from of nostalgia from your childhood? The Jonas Brothers are bringing their massive global tour to New Zealand this month, and it will also be their first time ever touring in Aotearoa and Australia. The family group promise five albums in one night of pop fun.
Matchbox Twenty
Thursday, February 29th
Christchurch Arena, Christchurch
Saturday, March 2nd
Bowl of Brooklands, New Plymouth
Tickets: Ticketek
The US alternative rockers are finally returning to New Zealand for two shows alongside Goo Goo Dolls. Matchbox Twenty are touring in support of their latest album, Where the Light Goes, which was released last May. The band haven’t performed here since 2008, so make sure you don’t miss them this time if you’re a massive Matchbox Twenty fan.
Queens of the Stone Age
Thursday, February 29th
Spark Arena, Auckland
Friday, March 1st
TSB Arena, Wellington
Sunday, March 3rd
Wolfbrook Arena, Christchurch
Tickets: Live Nation
If seeing one of the world’s premier rock bands isn’t enticing enough, Queens of the Stone Age are bringing Australian psychedelic rockers Pond and local powerhouse rock duo Earth Tongue to their New Zealand shows. It’s also Josh Homme and co.’s first time in the country since 2018, far too long a wait for local fans.
Mogwai
Thursday, February 29th
Wellington Opera House, Wellington
Friday, March 1st
Powerstation, Auckland
Tickets: Ticketmaster
Truly one of a kind, no one does an unforgettable live show quite like Scottish mood rockers Mogwai. Their iconic live sets will light up Wellington and Auckland next week, their first visit to New Zealand in nine years. They’ll play cuts from their 2021 number one album, As the Love Continues, as well as fan favourites from throughout their distinguished career.
French for Rabbits
Friday, March 1st
St Peter’s Church, Whanganui
Saturday, March 2nd
Artworks Theatre, Waiheke Island
Tickets: French for Rabbits
Recently featured in Rolling Stone AU/NZ, dream pop band French for Rabbits are hitting the road to celebrate their latest EP, last year’s beautiful In the End I Won’t Be Coming Home.
blink-182
Friday, March 1st
Spark Arena, Auckland
Tickets: Live Nation
The one you’ve all been waiting for. The classic blink-182 trio have reunited for a mammoth world tour, which finally comes to New Zealand in March. Their Spark Arena show in Auckland will be the only chance to catch them here, following the unfortunate cancellation of the pop punk icon’s Christchurch date.
Dinosaur Jr.
Saturday, March 2nd
Auckland Town Hall, Auckland
Tickets: Ticketmaster
A true alternative rock icon, Dinosaur Jr. are heading to Auckland after a monumental year for the band in 2023, when they celebrated 30 years of their seminal 1993 album, Where You Been.
Mr. Bungle
Sunday, March 3rd
Auckland Town Hall, Auckland
Tickets: Live Nation
Experimental rockers Mr. Bungle are coming to New Zealand and Australia alongside the Melvins, which should make for suitably chaotic joint shows. And why not make it a big weekend at Auckland Town Hall by seeing the avant-garde metalheads on the Sunday after watching Dinosaur Jr. on the Saturday?
P!nk
Tuesday, March 5th
Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Friday, March 8th
Eden Park, Auckland
Tickets: Live Nation
Australia really loves P!nk, but New Zealand does too. The Grammy-winning pop legend is bringing her ‘Summer Carnival’ to New Zealand for several stadium shows in March. Expect acrobatics, fireworks, and lots of memorable moments.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5320GH9JCQ&pp=ygUJcGluayBsaXZl
