Helmet (USA) Returning to Aotearoa New Zealand in April 2026

One of the most formidable sonic forces of this or any era, NYC noise-rock innovators Helmet will finally be back in Aotearoa New Zealand early next year, headlining Pōneke's San Fran and Tāmaki Makaurau's The Powerstation. Founded by vocalist / guitarist Page Hamilton during the late '80s, Helmet have forged their uniquely heavy, methodically precise and massively influential sound across nine studio albums and counting, including their monumental '90s run of Strap It On, Meantime, Betty and Aftertaste, and their latest opus Left (2023). Indeed, the singular 'Helmet riff' could be considered a crushing genre unto itself. Helmet's meteoric return down under is mandatory for heavy music lovers, brought to you by Eccles Entertainment...

UnderTheRadar proudly presents...

HELMET

Saturday 11th April - San Fran, Wellington
Sunday 12 April - Powerstation, Auckland

Tickets on sale from 12pm, Thursday 2nd October at helmetmusic.com

Experience Helmet's 'Big Shot' from their 2023 album Left...

Check out Helmet's classic 'Milquetoast', featured on the original soundtrack to 1994's The Crow...

Press release:

NYC Noise Rock Instigators Helmet return to Aotearoa / New Zealand for two shows in April 2026. Playing Wellington’s San Fran on Saturday 11 April, followed by The Powerstation in Auckland on Sunday 12 April.

Helmet has built a reputation as one of the most commanding forces in the underground scene. Born at the dawn of the rage-filled 90’s, Helmet fiercely holds space for multiple generations of alternative fans seeking the vital energy of hostile riffs and inventive metronomic groove. With a refusal to fit neatly into a genre, Helmet’s music creates an atmosphere best known live; part industrial, part hip-hop, part existential sermon.

Formed in 1989 in NYC by Page Hamilton, Helmet has been crushing stages for over three decades. In that time they have only come to Aotearoa / NZ a handful of times, most recently in 2023 during their sold out Best of Helmet 1989-2023 tour, with 13th Floor declaring “a complete evening of essential music from one of heavy music’s most essential bands.” With 35 years of rocking behind them, Helmet are at the top of their game. Don’t miss Helmet in New Zealand next April.