High Dependency Unit (HDU) Touring Nationwide in November

Evolving from the scorched noise-scapes of their Flying Nun Records debut Abstinence: Acrimony EP in the mid-'90s to the fractal-like textures of 2008's Metamatics and beyond, High Dependency Unit are revered by listeners worldwide as one of Aotearoa's most innovative avant-rock groups. Already announced to be on the bill for Tāmaki Makaurau's super-stacked The Others Way Festival 2025, the Ōtepoti trio of Tristan Dingemans, Neil Phillips, and Constantine Karlis have revealed their sonic journey northwards will incorporate a full scale nationwide tour, commencing with an all-ages show in Port Chalmers Hall.

High Dependency Unit's headline event at the capital's Meow Nui is shaping up to be extra special, as they'll be joined by Zamrock pioneers W.I.T.C.H. (We Intend To Cause Havoc), who are also playing at The Others Way Festival. Incomparably influential BBC radio DJ John Peel (RIP) once proclaimed them to be, "One of the 10 best bands in the world you've never heard of" — dare not miss these exceedingly rare HDU performances this spring, brought to you by Banished Music...

High Dependency Unit (HDU) New Zealand 2025

Thursday 20th November - Pioneer Hall, Port Chalmers (all ages)
Friday 21st November - Dropkicks, Dunedin
Saturday 22nd November - The Loons, Lyttelton
Wednesday 26th November - Meow Nui, Wellington with W.I.T.C.H
Thursday 27th November - Paisley Stage, Napier
 Saturday 29th November - The Others Way, Auckland

Banished Music presale from 10am, Friday 29th August
General on sale from 10am, Monday 1st September
Tickets & info from Banished Music
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Experience 'Tunguska' featured on High Dependency Unit's 2008 album Metamatics...

Here's vintage footage of High Dependency Unit tearing through 'Stupormodel' from Metamatics, for Red Bull Studios Live...

Hit play on 'Kamusale' from W.I.T.C.H.'s new album SOGOLO...

Press release:

After close to a decade away from live stages, the mighty High Dependency Unit return this November announcing their first shows since 2016 including a key festival performance at The Others Way, and an all ages show in Port Chalmers to kick off the tour.

Since their formation in 1993, HDU have carved out a singular space in Aotearoa’s music landscape, fusing and funneling shoegaze and psychedelic noise into hypnotic, sonic power. Their live shows are the stuff of legend, their studio output of essential albums and EPs through the 90s and 2000s have become touchstones for generations of musicians both here and abroad. The return of Tristan Dingemans, Neil Phillips, and Constantine Karlis to the stage and a rare chance to witness HDU in full flight is nothing short of a seismic event. These November dates will see the band revisit their formidable back catalogue and remind audiences why they’ve long been considered one of New Zealand’s most powerful live acts.

Adding to the magic of this tour, HDU’s Wellington Meow Nui show will feature very special guests W.I.T.C.H. on the bill. The legendary 1970s Zamrock pioneers whose psychedelic rock, funk, and African rhythms have made them cult icons around the world, W.I.T.C.H. (We Intend To Cause Havoc) are in the midst of a global renaissance, bringing their irresistible live energy to new generations making this one-off pairing with HDU an utterly unmissable night.