Bret Mckenzie Announces 'Freak Out City' Auckland & Wellington Shows

Adored by fans worldwide as half of Aotearoa musical comedy super-duo Flight Of The Concords, Bret Mckenzie has charted an award-winning career of his own as a songwriter / composer, notably bagging an Oscar for his work on 2011's The Muppets (Best Original Song for 'Man or Muppet'). Achieving respectable spots on multiple end of year lists with his 2025 sophomore solo album Freak Out City via Sub Pop Records — about which we said "makes a rock solid argument that he's this generation's Randy Newman (with a dash of Harry Nilsson?)" — Mckenzie now lifts the lid on two special release events in New Zealand.

Member of Te Whanganui-a-Tara's The Black Seeds throughout much of the '00s (during his The Video Kid days) and co-founder of the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra, Bret Mckenzie will headline his hometown's Meow Nui on 2nd April and Tāmaki Makarau's opulent The Hollywood Avondale on 5th April. He's promising "newly-released songs alongside old favourites, plus hilarious recountings of key moments from his colourful career, songs written on the fly using audience members’ real-life stories, and various other onstage antics." So you'd better swoop on tickets when they go live later this week to catch this seriously talented heavyweight — brought to you by Eccles Entertainment...

Bret Mckenzie Freak Out City Tour
with special guests to be announced 

Thursday 2nd April - Meow Nui, Wellington
Sunday 5th April - The Hollywood, Auckland

Artist presale begins 10am, Wednesday 14th January, sign up for access via the mailing list at bretmckenzie.os.fan
Tickets on sale from 9am, Friday 16th January via Ticketek

Hit play on the official video for the title track to Freak Out City, directed by Ezra Simons (Earth Tongue)...

Press release:

Grammy and Academy Award–winning songwriter, composer and performer Bret McKenzie has announced two highly anticipated dates in his homeland of New Zealand in support of his latest album, Freak Out City. Touching down in Wellington and Auckland this April, the shows follow a run of sold-out international concerts and mark McKenzie’s long-awaited return to New Zealand stages. Best known as one half of Flight of the Conchords, Bret McKenzie has built an acclaimed solo career defined by sharp wit, impeccable musicianship and a deep love of classic songwriting.

Following his solo debut Songs Without Jokes, Bret released his second project, Freak Out City, in August 2025 via Sub Pop Records. Co-produced with longtime collaborator Mickey Petralia, the collection was shaped on the road with his eight-piece band, The State Highway Wonders. The influence of his musical heroes Harry Nilsson and Randy Newman resonates again on this record, where Bret playfully weaves humour and heart into his songs. Hailed as “upbeat, well-made and refreshingly smart” (Daily Mirror) and “superbly crafted with a nod to the greats (God is in the TV), the record highlights Bret’s evolving artistry, blending sharp lyricism, lush arrangements and his unmistakable offbeat charm.

The upcoming shows will feature newly-released songs alongside old favourites, plus hilarious recountings of key moments from his colourful career, songs written on the fly using audience members’ real-life stories, and various other onstage antics.

Following sold-out performances overseas, these intimate New Zealand dates offer a rare opportunity to experience Freak Out City live in two of Aotearoa’s most beloved venues.