Dinosaur Jr. & Killswitch Engage lead a massive wave of NZ tour announcements

The touring scene is heating up with a stellar run of announcements this week. Dinosaur Jr. have confirmed a date at the Auckland Town Hall in January 2027, bringing their legendary alternative sound to the Great Hall. Meanwhile, metalcore heavyweights Killswitch Engage are locked in for a massive show at Meow Nui in Wellington this coming November.

For those looking for stadium-sized rock, Bryan Adams will be playing the Wellington Town Hall in March 2027, and Kings of Leon are set to take over the Auckland Domain in late February. They will be joined at the Domain by the psych-rock sounds of Ocean Alley.

The club circuit is equally busy. Wellington’s Valhalla will host Negative Approach and the sludge-metal intensity of Kylesa, with the latter also heading to Double Whammy! in Auckland. Fans of deeper, more experimental sounds can catch Lontalius at Whammy Bar, the electronic-jazz duo Hoop at the Auckland Guide Centre, or Beth Orton performing at the Wellington Town Hall and Auckland Town Hall.

Rounding out the list are some interesting additions:

• Heilung brings their 'amplified history' to Spark Arena.
• Banks Arcade will tour through Auckland and Lyttelton.
• Pachyman will bring his dub-reggae influence to Auckland and Wellington.
• Home Brew is confirmed for a Coroglen Tavern gig.
• The Relatives are set to bring their funk and soul to San Fran.

It is worth noting that while the original acts are out in force, we also have a few tribute and covers shows on the horizon. Catch Pink Floyd: The Dark Side of the Moon and The Psychedelic Mixtape at the Stardome Observatory, plus Glory performing a tribute set at Valhalla. Whether you are after high-octane metal or something a bit more mellow, the coming months are looking solid.