Amidst a troubling time for Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s live music scene, Strange Universe has been a much-needed success story.
After an inaugural Autumn edition earlier this year, Strange Universe Winter brought some of the world’s best acts to the city between May26th-June 27th.
Just check out the calibre of some of the series’ wonderful artists: Welsh art-pop favourite Cate Le Bon; English post-punks Dry Cleaning; legendary Japanese psychedelic outfit Acid Mothers Temple; great US singer-songwriter Cass McCombs; and the wonderful, mesmerising, beautiful experimental-pop band Stereolab.
Strange Universe is a collaboration between “promoter pals” Banished Music and Strange News, with 95bFM joining them for the Winter edition.
“Putting on shows is really easy, so we decided to do heaps of them all at once,” Strange News Touring Executive Director Matthew Crawley said when the Winter bill was announced. “Yes, we know May isn’t in winter, but what were we supposed to do, say no to Cass McCombs?”
We chatted with Banished Music’s Reuben Bonner us about the Autumn edition, and he said that “Auckland deserves cool stuff.”
“[…] Strange Universe captures amazing acts, ensnares them into a blood pact and sends them off to destroy amazing venues and audiences with their beautiful tunes,” he told us.
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He noted the series fits into the Australasian live music landscape, with Strange Universe’s curation process “largely driven by what is coming through Australia on their touring circuit.”
“Our Autumn series aligned with some acts that were playing at Golden Plains in Australia, our Winter Series about to be announced ties in with RISING in Melbourne, Vivid in Sydney, Dark Mofo in Hobart and more,” he explained.
Aside from stellar lineups, another notable part of Strange Universe has been the variety of host venues, from the beautiful Hollywood Avondale to the intimate Pitt St Methodist Church — read our feature about the importance of local music venues like those here.
To celebrate the culmination of Strange Universe Winter 2026, check out a selection of incredible photos from the series below.
Image: Arthur Ahbez Credit: Nico Rose Penny
Image: Glass Vaults Credit: Nico Rose Penny
Image: Mei Seimones Credit: Nico Rose Penny
Image: Acid Mothers Temple Credit: Nico Rose Penny
Image: The Circling Sun Credit: Ngaru Garland
Image: Holly Arrowsmith Credit: Nico Rose Penny
Image: Phoebe Rings Credit: Nico Rose Penny
Image: The Veils Credit: Nico Rose Penny
Image: Jazmine Mary Credit: Nico Rose Penny
Image: Stereolab Credit: Nico Rose Penny
