Spotlight: Mini Mermgrown 2022 ft. Mermaidens, Vera Ellen, ONONO, Kōtiro + More

Fresher, leaner and even cuter than its larger namesake, Pōneke's Mini Mermgrown boutique festival is brought to you by Mermaidens, transforming San Fran with decor, installations and a whole extra stage on 2nd December. Presently putting the finishing touches on album number four (look forward to new tunes on the night), the trio of Gussie Larkin, Lily West and Abe Hollingsworth have curated an all-killer lineup for their early December extravaganza — including Vera Ellen, ONONO (the synth-pop project of Jono Nott from Hans Pucket and Broods), Kōtiro, Hybrid Rose, Vida, plus Practice DJs Alice Agnes, Eml, and Meggs. Mermaidens shared words of love for each artist they've invited along to perform, plus hand-picked tunes / mixes to get you squarely in the good times zone. Tuck in below and snag tickets while you can...

UPDATE: "Sadly Hybrid Rose is unable to perform due to covid — so we've moved everyone to the San Fran stage. Much more room for dancing now".

UnderTheRadar proudly presents...

Mini Mermgrown 2022
Featuring... Mermaidens, Vera Ellen, ONONO, Kōtiro, Vida, Practice DJs: Alice Agnes, Eml & Meggs
Friday 2nd December - San Fran, Wellington (two stages)
Tickets available HERE via UTR

Vera Ellen

While we were coming up in the Wellington music scene, Vera was always around, playing at house parties or moshing in the front row. She was prolific, boundary-pushing and a great songwriter. I think I first saw Vera play in her high school band Gaol Bait, alongside 3 other ultra-cool teens. Maple Syrup was another great band Vera thrashed around in before moving to the US and forming one of my fave bands, Girl Friday. Her solo releases have been EXCELLENT and earned her a well-deserved Tūī for Best Alternative Artist this year. Can't wait to see Vera do her thing with her 6-piece band. — Gussie

ONONO

ONONO is the project of Jono Nott, who you'll know as the drummer from Aotearoa's most wholesome (and beloved) rock band Hans Pucket. Jono has cultivated his own world of psychedelic-dance-pop and we're so excited to have him and his band. They might blow us out of the water actually. You're in for a real treat, with Jono fronting the band and doing all the things - singing, playing guitar, synths and maybe shaking some shakers. Oh, ONONO also did this banging remix of our song 'Sunstone'. — Gussie

Kōtiro

There's so much to say about Ana Chaya Scotney, AKA Kōtiro, AKA one of my oldest collaborators since way back in Kaharore primary school days, when she was a beacon of creativity in my life even then. DO NOT MISS THIS SET. Ana's musical performances are rare and precious. Through looping vocals and sounds she has a supernatural ability to transport you into magical worlds and help you see with new eyes. Listen to High-Def Multinational or check out the fantastic Amplified profile here too. — Lily

Hybrid Rose

Hybrid Rose has some huuuuge tunes! Do yourself a favour and listen to 'Dial Tone' and 'Fantasy'. She'll be performing on our intimate second stage, so you'll be able to experience her campy techno-pop up close. — Gussie

Vida

Vida is a very special person to me, we lived together for the past year or so, and she is one of the most wildly creative people I've met! This is the first iteration of her band, I've only heard snippets of her upcoming EP, so I'm really excited to see what she brings to the live show. — Abe

Practice

Not only do Practice put on the funnest doofs in Wellington, but they also run a DJing workshop for queer, Takatāpui and trans folks, with the aim of making the electronic music scene more diverse and inclusive. So cool! They also put regular mixes up on their mixcloud, and mouthful radio from local artists, which is worth checking out. Here's two of the organizers - Eml and Alice Agnes' b2b mix.