Banished Music are thrilled to announce alt-pop duo Balu Brigada will return to Aotearoa this June in support of their acclaimed debut album Portal, performing a one-off headline show at Auckland’s Powerstation.
A sweeping, emotional, and sonically adventurous collection of songs, Portal finds brothers Henry and Pierre Beasley pushing their boundaries and cementing their place as one of the most vital new voices in alternative pop. The album includes breakout singles ‘So Cold’, ‘Backseat’, and the existential pop anthem ‘What Do We Ever Really Know?’ - each one offering a glimpse into the band’s evolving sound and introspective lyricism.
The album was built over three years across cities like New York, Berlin, and their native Auckland, with each place leaving a unique sonic fingerprint. From the heavy, grungy textures of the NYC sessions to the serene, introspective energy of their roots in NZ, the duo curated a sound that blends indie rock urgency with alt-pop finesse and festival-sized ambition.
Their single ‘So Cold’, has soared with over 65 million global streams, a #1 spot on Billboard’s Alternative Airplay chart, and a late-night TV debut on Jimmy Kimmel LIVE!. The track’s success, including a placement on EA Sports' FC 25 soundtrack, marked a major breakthrough for the duo, earning them the title of Billboard’s Chartbreaker for April 2025.
ABOUT BALU BRIGADA:
Described by i-D as “an actual band of brothers making tunes stacked with hooks that’ll run circles around your brain for days,” Balu Brigada have built a dedicated following with their distinctive blend of groovy synths, nostalgic guitars, and introspective storytelling. Their EPs I Should Be Home and Find A Way laid the groundwork for their ascent, with 2023’s viral hit “Designer” signalling their breakout moment.
Recently featured among SiriusXM’s Future Five of 2025 and Amazon Music’s Breakthrough Artists To Watch, Balu Brigada also spent the summer of 2024 opening for Twenty One Pilots on the global Clancy World Tour, gaining new fans across stadiums and arenas in North America, Europe, and Australia.
With Portal, Balu Brigada have delivered an ambitious, heartfelt debut album that’s both deeply personal and universally resonant — and this is just the beginning.
