Kora Announce 'Fifth Season' Album Release Tour w/ Black Comet

Titans onstage and creators of a genre-melting back catalogue beloved by fans throughout Aotearoa and beyond, Whakatāne's legendary dub / reggae / rock / electronic collective Kora have major plans lined up for the second half of 2025. Formed in 1991 and now helmed by Dan McGruer and brothers Fran and Stu Kora, with lead guitarist Richie Allan, drummer Darren Mathiassen, bassist Marika Hodgson, and rhythm guitarist / backing vocalist Karlos Tunks, the ever-evolving group have revealed their new album Fifth Season is imminent. They'll be toasting their first studio long player since 2012's Light Years (!) with headline dates at Auckland's iconic The Powerstation, Hamilton's The Factory and Wellington's new hub for live music Meow Nui.

Recent guest stars at Auckland's monumental sold out Synthony In The Domain, they'll be joined by Kora co-founder Laughton Kora's (who features on new single 'Revolution') galactic funk group Black Comet for all three dates this spring — brought to you by Eccles Entertainment and Spark...

Kora
with special guests Black Comet

Saturday 20th September - The Factory, Hamilton
Friday 3rd October - Powerstation, Auckland
Saturday 11th October - Meow Nui, Wellington

Tickets on sale from noon, Monday 21st July

Crank up Kora's new single 'Revolution'...

Check out Black Comet playing 'Sleep' live at Totara St in Tauranga...

Press release:

Aotearoa’s genre-defying heavyweights Kora are back. With their long-awaited new album Fifth Season just announced and set for release on August 22, the band are hitting the road for a run of unmissable headline shows across the country on the Fifth Season Album Release Tour.

The Fifth Season Album Release Tour will deliver Kora’s signature blend of bass-heavy grooves, soaring vocals, and genre-defying energy. Fans can expect classics like ‘Politician’, ‘Burning’, and ‘On My Mind’, alongside recent favourites and brand-new material from the upcoming Fifth Season album. Grounded in kaupapa Māori and driven by innovation and storytelling, their sound fuses roots, reggae, funk, rock, dub, and electronic.

Joining the tour as special guests are Black Comet—a multi-dimensional, galactic funk 4-piece founded by Laughton Kora (Kora, L.A.B, Fly My Pretties). Known for their dynamic live jams, high energy, and tight performances, Black Comet live is a groove-based experience with powerful narratives. The all-star lineup also features Adam Tobeck on drums, Dan Antunovich on bass and Poihakena Reid on keys, sax and talkbox. Their 2024 full-length album Episode One: Looking For a New Planet boldly pushes the boundaries of modern music. With their next album Episode Two: The Force Between Us you can expect nothing less than a cosmic groove odyssey.

Renowned for their explosive live shows, Kora have cemented their status as one of Aotearoa’s most revered acts, lighting up festivals like The Big Day Out, Rhythm & Vines, Splore, Homegrown, Synthony In The Domain, and One Love. This tour is your chance to catch a true live force in full flight.