Miles Crayford, Saint Etienne, Ashanti & Lorna Shore lead upcoming NZ tour dates

It has been a busy week for promoters across the motu, with a packed schedule of international acts locking in dates for late 2026. Leading the jazz contingent, Miles Crayford will perform at The Undercurrent in Wellington on May 31, 2026. For those chasing indie-pop classics, Saint Etienne have confirmed a date at The Powerstation in Auckland on November 20, 2026. If R&B is more your speed, Ashanti takes the stage at the Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre in Auckland on November 16, 2026, while soul artist Macy Gray visits Wellington and Auckland in October.

The heavier side of the spectrum is well-represented, with Lorna Shore and The Acacia Strain hitting the road. Lorna Shore play Shed 6 in Wellington on October 26 and The Powerstation on October 28, with the latter venue also hosting The Acacia Strain on the same night. Local brutal death metal act Organectomy will also be part of that heavy showcase in Auckland. For punk enthusiasts, Rise Against and Dropkick Murphys are bringing high energy to the country, with Rise Against appearing in Christchurch and Auckland, and Dropkick Murphys headlining Spark Arena in November.

The tour calendar also includes:

• Hiatus Kaiyote: Great Hall, Auckland, September 4.
• Saul Williams: San Fran, Wellington, June 8.
• Dylan Gossett: Great Hall, Auckland, December 11; Waipara Winehouse, December 12.
• Five: The Trusts Arena, Auckland, May 25.

Local artists are keeping the scene vibrant as well, with acts like Mim Jensen playing Dunedin's Pearl Diver on May 30 and DARTZ hitting the Last Place in Hamilton on May 31. Be sure to check venue websites early for tickets, as these shows are likely to draw decent crowds across the winter and spring months.