Spotlight: Sounds of Tāmaki Makaurau - NZ Music Month Events

Squeezed into an isthmus only a few kilometres wide at its narrowest point, Aotearoa's largest city contains a spectacular diversity of South Pacific sounds and cultures, as regular UTR readers will of course be well aware. Sounds of Tāmaki Makaurau is a brand new month-long initiative championing the invaluable, inextricable power of local music in our daily lives, hosting a huge variety of events and projects in sync with NZ Music Month / Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa 2026 — all brought to you by Auckland Council.

Showcasing a multi-generational lineup of shining stars and future faves, gather the whānau and get out and about this May. Check out selected highlights from Sounds of Tāmaki Makaurau programme below and head over HERE to peruse the full 40+ rundown of events...

"At its core, Sounds of Tāmaki Makaurau is a commitment to our local artists. By bringing together grassroots performers and established artists in our community spaces and venues, we’re creating a stage for everyone. And we invite Aucklanders to come along, discover a new favourite band or support a local legend and celebrate the calibre of talent that makes our city sing."

SOUNDS OF TĀMAKI MAKAURAU
1st May to 31st May - various venue locations, Auckland
For more info head along to ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Encore!
Exhibition runs to 29th August - Heritage Gallery, Level 2, Central City Library
For a piece of music history, discover the newest exhibition at Central City Library, an homage to Auckland’s most epic live music moments and venues and a chance to relive your wildest concert memories. Join in for lunch time drop-in sessions as librarians take over the sound system with their DJ skills or check out the varied concert series at the library throughout the month of May.

Emerging Artist Showcases (free)
Experience the up-and-coming star power of our youth at community venues like Te Oro and Studio One Toi Tū, featuring artist alumni from Stand Up Stand Out (SUSO). SUSO is an Auckland Council initiative that provides an important pathway in development for rangatahi. It promotes song writing, musicianship and dance performance excellence and a culture of music in schools throughout the Tāmaki Makaurau region.

Saturday 9th May - Tupu Youth Library
Jahrian Siliva, Jesse and Cyrus Holloway, CAZNA, Tarani Takai, LEVOL Y

Thursday 14th May - Silo 6
Sophie Gilbert, Izzy Stoner, Jesse Scott, Amy Mason, Cam Beattie

Saturday 16th May - Māngere Arts Centre Ngā Tohu o Uenuku
Cyrus and Jesse Holloway, Tarani Takai, CAZNA, Jahrian Siliva, Tema

Saturday 16th May - Studio One Toi Tū
Amy Mason, Jesse Scott, Izzy Stoner, Cam Beattie, Sophie Gilbert

Thursday 21st May - Amy Daldy Park
Sophie Gilbert, Finn Rory, Jesse Scott, JUGA, Cam Beattie, Tema

Saturday 23rd May - Franklin Arts Centre
Jesse and Cyrus Holloway, Amy Mason, Jahrian Siliva, Finn Rory, CAZNA, Tarani Takai

Thursday 28th May - Fort Street Pocket Park
Elias Mathison, Amy Mason, Jesse Scott, Cam Beattie, Tema, JUGA

NZ Music Month on Queens Wharf
Every Friday in May - Queens Wharf (12pm to 7pm, free)
Celebrate NZ Music Month on Queens Wharf with a mix-tape of choice, homegrown and a 100% NZ line-up of DJs and intimate live sets.
During the day, DJs Matt Crawley, Rose Alice, Sandy Mill and Stinky Jim will provide the sonic backdrop for your lunch break.
Once sun sets, grab an early dinner at the Queens Wharf container village and let DJ Grantis and TDK set the tone for your Thursday evenings or enjoy RepFMs Friday live sets with genres spanning hip-hop to reggae with a sprinkle of karaoke.

XYZZY
Every Friday in May - Te Whatu Stardome | Observatory & Planetarium (8:30pm - 9:20pm)
Created by leading contemporary artist Jess Johnson and director Simon Ward, XYZZY (pronounced 'zizzy') is an immersive art-based planetarium screening like no other.
Plus: the final session on Friday 29 May has a Q+A after the show with director and animator Simon Ward, one half of the creative duo behind the film.

Rhythm Nation with Te Whare Karioi
Every Saturday in May - Te Wharekura and Te Wānanga, 117 Quay Street (11am to 12pm, free)
A vibrant, interactive performance celebrating Māori music and movement as part of NZ Music Month.
Led by Te Whare Karioi, from the heart of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, each performer descends from the eponymous ancestor, Tuperiri.
These free hour-long sessions will showcase taonga pūkaea, pūtatara, taiaha, poi and haka, with opportunities to participate and learn about the cultural significance behind each art form.

Music & Merch
Exhibition opens Friday 8th May - Kumeū Arts (free)
A vibrant exhibition celebrating the powerful connection between art and music. Discover striking album designs and music-inspired artworks by local artists.
Reggae band, The AceTones will play on the Hub stage (behind the library), thanks to the support of Rodney community.

This Place Here
Friday 22nd May & Saturday 23rd May - Kōmanawa Theatre, Te Puna Creative Hub, Henderson (7pm to 8:30pm, free)
Check out this dynamic ensemble of artists and global instrumentation that reflects Auckland’s unique multicultural identity at Kōmanawa Theatre. Led by acclaimed artist Swap Gomez, This Place Here is a collaborative platform that amplifies the diverse voices and cultural soundscapes of Auckland’s migrant and indigenous communities. It is a powerful fusion of creative exploration and community storytelling that positions Auckland at the heart of musical innovation.

Ka Mua Ka Muri Live
Phoebe Rings, Mokomokai, Spell, Spdrtwnbby, and Cameron Beattie
Saturday 30th May - Central City Library (6:30pm to 9:50pm, free)
Inspired by the U.S.'s NPR (National Public Radio) renowned Tiny Desk Concerts, this captivating web series features performances and interviews with Auckland musicians and songwriters.

Spellodies at Avondale Library
Saturday 30th May - Avondale Library (11am to 12pm, free)
Spellodies is a family band based in Tāmaki-Makaurau (from the Silver Scroll winning band Lips), consisting of Fen, Steph and their two sons. They are winners of the 2024 APRA Best Song for Primary Age Kids. They regularly perform their high energy set packed with catchy songs and comedy sketches in a variety of genres including rock, folk, country, pop, funk and more. Their show works well for kids aged 4-9 years but suitable for younger kids, with laughs and audience participation for the whole family.

On the all-star bill for Ka Mua Ka Muri Live, Phoebe Rings take a sun-splashed trip around Tāmaki Makaurau in their video for 'Daisy'...

The kids music alter egos of Silver Scroll winners Lips, you can catch Spellodies belting out their fun (and educational) tunes at Avondale Library on 30th May...