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Artist-run label Rothko Records presents a four-band showcase at Big Fan on Friday, 11 September. Designed to connect Tāmaki Makaurau’s emerging youth rock scene and its veteran heavy underground, the all-ages and licensed event celebrates the \light-and-shade\ of alt-rock, noise-rock, post-metal, and sludge.
Headlining the evening are instrumental post-metal stalwarts Mothra. The band's formidable reputation has earnt them opening support slots for the likes of The Dillinger Escape Plan, Helmet, Russian Circles, Earth, Devin Townsend, This Will Destroy You, sleepmakeswaves, Quicksand, and High on Fire. Incubating their sophomore release, fans can expect Mothra to unleash devastating heaviness in kaleidoscopic textural detail.
The night also marks the live debut of main support, Sunwraith. Formed by members of Decortica, Magnalith, and Pegasus, Sunwraith balances brutalist rhythmic percussion with cascading guitars and careening vocals, drawing thematic inspiration from Tarkovskyan sci-fi. Their performance follows the release of singles "Thanasphere" and "Golden Sphere."
Opening the bill are two of Auckland's vital young acts. Crying Ivy are winners of the Auckland Rockquest finals and 95bFM #1 single artists whose sound spans thrash, noise-rock, and experimental. Scream By Tulips, a six-piece alt-rock outfit, bring turbulent dual-guitar assaults, twin vocal harmonies, and explosive '90s post-grunge energy.
"This showcase is a celebration of the wider alt and heavy music community, bringing together the experienced and emerging in a forward-looking and inclusive way," says Rothko Records' Mathew Bosher. "Big Fan provides a thriving space in an all-ages and licensed environment where younger audiences and long-time underground listeners can share and support Auckland live music—and maybe get inspired to start their own band at any age."
Tickets are available now.
Venue: Big Fan, 25 McDonald St, Morningside, Auckland
Date: Friday, 11 September 2026
Time: Doors open 7:00pm | Music starts 7:30pm
Entry: All ages & licensed
Tickets: $15 pre-sale via Undertheradar | $20 door sales
