Music Commission News

The New Zealand Music Commission | Te Reo Reka o Aotearoa is pleased to share the results for the Round 15 of the Aotearoa Touring Programme.

The Aotearoa Touring Programme invests in approved domestic touring costs, to enable more Aotearoa artists to grow sustainable careers and increase the access to live music for Aotearoa audiences. The Aotearoa Touring Programme is a contestable fund intended to reinvigorate the live music sector and assist in the recovery from the effects of COVID-19 in the domestic touring market.

As one of the initiatives in the Government’s New Zealand Music Recovery Fund, the Aotearoa Touring Programme is part of the Manatū Taonga Ministry of Culture & Heritage led Arts & Culture COVID Recovery Programme, focused on the recovery, regeneration and revitalisation of the cultural sector.

The Aotearoa Touring Programme is run by Te Reo Reka o Aotearoa | The New Zealand Music Commission to grow the potential for original New Zealand artists touring across Aotearoa and enable more New Zealanders to experience live, local music. It is a matched investment programme (i.e. the programme will match the recipient’s investment), so applicants can apply for 50% of the eligible costs for undertaking national tours across Tiers 1 and 2. The two tiers have a different maximum limit for each grant as well as different criteria.

Round 15 welcomed a record number of applications and recipients for the Aotearoa Touring Programme. Applications for this round closed on the 10th of May 2023.

Te Reo Reka o Aotearoa | The New Zealand Music Commission is pleased to announce the following Aotearoa Touring Programme grant recipients:

Aotearoa Touring Programme Tier 1 Recipients (listed in alphabetical order)

· Albi & The Wolves – Albi & The Wolves’ 3-date tour across the motu promoting new album, joined by a 13-piece big band.

· ARAHI: Te Tokotoru – ARAHI and Te Tokotoru for a 4-date tour across The North Island – Te Ika-a-Māui – strategically located with a focus on connecting with existing communities, and expanding into new markets through Te Tokotoru: a united, sonic and spiritual force.

· Balu Brigada – Balu Brigada’s three-date tour in support of their upcoming EP Find A Way, featuring their most recent hit, Designer.

· Beastwars – Beastwars’ seven-date tour of Aotearoa promoting their new New Zealand covers album, Tyranny of Distance and to celebrate the 10th anniversary vinyl reissue of their second album, Blood Becomes Fire.

· Borderline – Borderline’s six-date tour of the South Island and Auckland, in support of recent releases, Going Home (Bitter) and Cinderella.
· BRAWLER N.Z.H.C – BRAWLER N.Z.H.C’s three-date North Island tour to promote their debut EP, Hard Truths.
· Bulletbelt – Bulletbelt will embark on a five-date Maximum Destruction NZ Tour of the North and South Island to give home-grown fans a taste of their new album.

· Calla – Calla’s 12-show tour across Te Waipounamu and Te Ika-a-Māui promoting the release of their second album, Patterns of Remedy.

· DAFM – DAFM’s first nationwide tour since 2019, covering both the North and South Islands.

· Danica Bryant – Danica Bryant‘s 4-date tour of her most popular fan-base cities in support of the Ego Death EP and future projects.

· Deva Mahal – Deva Mahal’s three-date tour in Aotearoa’s biggest cities, in support of their latest EP release, Future Classics: Volume 1 – Classic.

· Ebony Lamb – Ebony Lamb’s 7-date national tour, promoting long-awaited upcoming debut solo album.

· Flaxxies – Flaxxies are taking their show on the road in The North Island in support of their upcoming EP.

· Hans Pucket – Hans Pucket’s 14-date tour of the North and South Islands in support of their latest album, No Drama.

· Heavy Chest – Heavy Chest return for an eight-date winter tour across Aotearoa, showcasing new material and celebrating the five year anniversary of Home Turf.

· Horn – Horn’s four-date tour supporting their upcoming debut album release.

· Juliet McLean – Juliet McLean’s Darker Nights four-date tour of the North Island with Ben King. The tour will lead up to new material in October.

· Kaosis – Kaosis’ 10-date tour of the North and South Island in support of sophomore record, WE ARE THE FUTURE.

· KITA – KITA’s six-date headline tour of the North Island in support of her new EP, LOVE LIVES HERE.

· LA Women – LA Women’s three-date Hell Of A Night tour of the North Island (Auckland, Raglan and Wellington).

· lilbubblegum & SXMPRA – Lil Bubblegum and SXMPRA’s five-date co-headline tour of Aotearoa, promoting their new releases ahead of their Australian tour.

· Lost Tribe Aotearoa – Lost Tribe Aotearoa’s six-date tour around the North Island, promoting their new EP, Lost & Found.

· Marlin’s Dreaming – Marlin’s Dreaming’s four-date tour of Aotearoa promoting fresh material and their last album, Hasten.

· Mel Parsons – Mel Parsons’ three-date tour covering the North and South Islands to promote new single, Tiny Days.

· Merv Pinny – Merv Pinny embarks on a 12-date tour across the country, celebrating his well-loved album, Dark to Light.

· Milk Tooth – Milk Tooth’s 10-location North Island tour to promote their debut single ‘Liquid’.

· NO CIGAR – NO CIGAR’s three-date winter tour ahead of UK tour and NZ festival circuit.

· PARK RD – PARK RD’s three-date tour across Aotearoa to support the release of Ride.

· Princess Chelsea – Princess Chelsea’s 5-date tour of the North Island in support of the Taite Prize winning album Everything is Going To Be Alright to be performed in its entirety.

· Pull Down the Sun – Pull Down the Sun will be heading out on the road to support their new single Pierce the Sea, covering the North and South Island.

· Ringlets – Ringlets’ four-date tour of the North and South Island, promoting the 12” vinyl release of their self-titled album.

· Shepherds Reign – Shepherd Reign’s three-date tour to support the new upcoming album, Ala Mai.

· Sleeping Village & Koizilla – Sleeping Village and Koizilla’s joint five-date Eyegum Scenic Tour #3 tour of the North and South Islands.

· Sofia Machray – Sofia Machray’s five-date tour of the North and South Island in support of her debut EP, Language of Flower.

· Space Waltz – Space Waltz’s three-date tour of North Island in support of their new album Victory and the reissue of their self-titled 1974 album.

· The Allophones – The Allophones’ 12-date tour of Aotearoa springtime 2023.

· The Heart of Katherine – Three-date tour of the North Island to promote The Heart of Katherine’s Water and Skies EP.

· The New Things – The New Things’ five-date tour of the North and South Islands in support of their new five-song EP, Just For You.

· The Unsung Heroes – The Unsung Heroes’ 10-date tour of the South Island, playing museums and small halls.

· THEIA and TE KAAHU – for a 5-date tour of Aotearoa, celebrating the upcoming release of her debut THEIA album.

· Tom Lark – Tom Lark’s four-stop tour of Aotearoa, playing songs from their new album Brave Star as well as some old favourites.

· Violet Hirst – Violet Hirst’s six-date nationwide winter tour to support her debut album, Donegal.

· Yurt Party – Yurt Party’s eight-date tour of North and South Island to celebrate the release of their eponymous debut album.

Aotearoa Touring Programme Tier 2 Recipients (listed in alphabetical order)

· Dimmer – Dimmer’s five-show tour across the North and South Island celebrating the release of Dimmer Live at The Hollywood.

· Don McGlashan – Don McGlashan’s 18-date solo tour across New Zealand to support the release of his album, Bright November Morning.

· Flamingo Pier – Flamingo Pier’s six-date national tour of the North and South Island in support of their upcoming EP.

· Jordan Luck Band – Jordan Luck Band’s ‘WE LOVE YOU THE MOST Winter Tour 2023’ with 17 shows over 8 weekends on 3 Islands nationwide.

· LEISURE – LEISURE’S national tour to support fourth upcoming album, LEISUREVISION including headline shows in Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch.

· Mitch James – Mitch James’ 13-date nationwide tour, promoting his new album, Patience.

· The Phoenix Foundation – The Phoenix Foundation’s 4-date national tour celebrating the 20 year anniversary of their critically acclaimed debut album, Horsepower.