Ocean Alley (AUS) Returning to New Zealand for Auckland Headline Show

Absolutely humungous on both sides of the Tasman and around the globe, Ocean Alley promise to blow up even bigger with the imminent launch of their fifth album Love Balloon. Local fans will be reaching for next year's calendar, as the New South Wales superstars have locked in a very special Aotearoa headline date at Tāmaki Makaurau's Spark Arena on 27th February 2026, where they'll be bringing along Byron Bay's surf-rocking Skegss for a return visit, joined by the soul-pumping grooves of fellow Sydneysider Don West.

Tuck into the title track from Love Balloon plus recent single'Left Of The Dealer' below, before Ocean Alley's new record is out in full on 19th September, and look forward to an explosion of Australian musical talent in summer 2026 — presented by Eccles Entertainment, The Edge, and Mai FM...

Ocean Alley
With special guests Skegss & Don West
Friday 27th February - Spark Arena, Auckland
Tickets on sale 12pm, Tuesday 24th June via ticketmaster.co.nz

Hit play on the title track to Ocean Alley's upcoming new album Love Balloon...

Check out 'Left Of The Dealer', also featured on Love Balloon...

Here's Skeggs' 2024 hit 'High Beaming'...

Groove along with with Don West's soulful new single 'Send It Back'...

Press release:

Globally renowned Australian rockers Ocean Alley are stoked to announce their return to Aotearoa for one almighty headline show this summer, hitting Auckland’s Spark Arena on Friday 27 February 2026, in celebration of their highly anticipated fifth studio album, Love Balloon, out Friday 19 September.

This marks Ocean Alley’s first New Zealand headline show since 2023, and the first chance for Kiwi fans to catch the beloved six-piece live on local soil as they unveil their boldest, most ambitious album yet. Slated for global release on September 19, Love Balloon sees the band embracing a fresh sonic direction – joyful, playful and full of heart. Led by the recently released title track which offers a blissful glimpse into the band’s creative direction on the upcoming album. Anchored by an irresistible groove and a shimmering Nile Rodgers-inspired guitar riff, the track threads an unexpected touch of disco flair along its pulsating bassline, marking playful new territory for Ocean Alley. It feels effortlessly spontaneous, echoing the carefree energy of previous singles “Tangerine” and “Left Of The Dealer”. Produced by legendary producer Nick DiDia (Bruce Springsteen, Powderfinger, Rage Against The Machine), the band embraced a stripped-back, more emotionally resonant approach across the 10 tracks of Love Balloon, taking listeners on a journey through life and love in all its complexity, underscored by moments of light, vulnerability and connection.

Joining Ocean Alley at Spark Arena are Byron Bay legends Skegss, delivering their sun-drenched, beer-soaked garage punk mayhem, and rising Sydney soul prince DON WEST, whose velvet vocals and undeniable swagger channel the golden era of Motown with a fresh, modern twist. Together, they complete a stacked lineup that’s set to be the highlight of the summer tour calendar.

With over 1 billion streams to their name, twelve Gold or Platinum singles in New Zealand alone, and a reputation for magnetic live shows, Ocean Alley are one of Australia’s most influential and successful musical exports. Their Spark Arena return comes hot on the heels of a massive international run throughout 2025, including festival appearances at Lollapalooza, Sziget and Austin City Limits, alongside shows at LA’s Hollywood Palladium and Brooklyn Paramount in New York. The group will make their first trip to Latin America with shows in Mexico, Brasil and Chile, before taking on their largest headline show to date, anywhere in the world - at London’s iconic 10,000 capacity Alexandra Palace in September.

This show marks a bold new chapter for Ocean Alley - a chance to see a band at the height of their powers, bringing their most vibrant and confident work to the biggest stages of their career.