Princess Chelsea's Midwinter Ball ft. Golden Axe, The Circling Sun, Grecco Romank, Luke Buda Announced

Surely by now Princess Chelsea should be crowned queen of Aotearoa dream-pop and rock, a royal status befitting her accomplishments in the sonic realm. Following last year's sold-out Twin Peaks-themed soirée, The Taite Music Prize winning artist thrills fans with the announcement her annual Midwinter Ball will this year be themed SWORDS AND SORCERY - Fantasy on The Big Screen, taking over Tāmaki Makaurau's Wintergarden at The Civic and Pōneke's Meow Nui with music, decoration, medieval garb and deadly weaponry this coming July.

This is where today's news announcement gets a bit meta, as my own synth-punk group Golden Axe (with Daif King from Stälker) are reforming first time in a decade, to shred up the keys for at the Auckland event alongside interstellar jazz all-stars The Circling Sun. Wellington attendees will in turn be spellbound by dungeon-techno mavericks Grecco Romank and the bard-like magic of Silver Scroll winner Luke Buda (The Phoenix Foundation). Once known as that 'Snapchat comedian', Aotearoa comedy icon and best-selling author Tom Sainsbury will be a like a modern day town cryer on MC duties at both extravaganzas. Best get to work on your outfit immediately for what is likely to be the best dress up party of 2025...

"I’m not giving too much away but obviously we will need a medieval sword fight" - Princess Chelsea

"In the shimmering and VHS-heavy age of the early 1980s, a treasure trove of cinematic fantasy was thrust upon us. Gleaming swords and potent spells in Excalibur, the ethereal beauty and terror of Legend, valiant quests of The Sword and The Sorcerer, Ladyhawke, The Beastmaster, Willow, Dragonslayer, and the mighty & muscular quests of Conan The Barbarian. And let us not forget the timeless enchantments of pure fantasy with The Neverending Story, the delightful Princess Bride, the poignant Last Unicorn, and the unforgettable shape of Labyrinth.

So, brave adventurers, will you join us to celebrate this golden age? How will you dress to impress as visions of enchanted lands and heroic feats conjure a costume fit for fantasy?"

Princess Chelsea’s Midwinter Ball
SWORDS AND SORCERY - Fantasy on The Big Screen
with your host Tom Sainsbury

Presale 10am, Friday 23rd May
General on sale 10am, Monday 26th May
Tickets from Banished Music Subscribe to presale at www.banishedmusic.com/subscribe

Princess Chelsea roams through a world of myth and magic in her video for 'Time', from Everything Is Going To Be Alright...

Like duelling knights on the keyboards, here's Golden Axe's 'Catmaster' from their 2010 album Fantasy Footwork...

Hit play on Grecco Romank's 'Don't Get Caught' featuring Princess Chelsea, from their new album out this week Arts Colony...

Experience the jazz wizardry of The Circling Sun's live performance of 'Bones', from their 2023 album Spirits...

Enjoy the dreamy bliss of Luke Buda's 'Candy', from his 2021 album Buda...

Press release:

This winter, the Civic Wintergarden (ALL AGES) and Meow Nui (18+) Wellington will be transformed into a world of fantasy! Princess Chelsea’s Midwinter Ball returns, this year with a new theme: SWORDS AND SORCERY - Fantasy on The Big Screen. With your esteemed host comedian Tom Sainsbury, and live performances from Princess Chelsea & The Dream Warriors in both centres, with Auckland guests The Circling Sun & Golden Axe, while Wellington will be treated to sets from Grecco Romank & Luke Buda.

Called by many as ‘the show of 2024’, last year’s Twin Peaks themed Midwinter Ball was a revelation, and a dress up party for the ages. A sold out Wintergarden heaved with 650 guests dressed as Log Ladies, Agent Dale Coopers, and even a giant slice of cherry pie… and oh, so much more.

Princess Chelsea and her band The Dream Warriors delighted the audience with a blazing set of originals alongside covers of Julee Cruise, Angelo Badalamenti and In Heaven from Lynch’s Eraserhead. This wild and unforgettable night has been lovingly captured and presented as a four song tribute to David Lynch, due for imminent release.

For 2024’s Twin Peaks-themed ball, no expenses were spared on transforming the venue into the quaint town of Twin Peaks. Decoration which featured lasers, an indoor pine forest, a shrine to Laura Palmer and a replica of the infamous Red Room, we can only expect magic and mystery from 2025’s fantasy-themed ball.

If last year’s ball was anything to go by, I don't think she is joking - and further shenanigans will undoubtedly ensue. Expect the Civic and Meow Nui to be transformed into a world of fantasy.

Earlybird tickets are on sale Friday at 10am. Book your evening, and swan down the red carpet dressed in your favourite fantasy-inspired outfits. Portraits will be taken on the night, and prizes for best dressed.