Strange Universe: Summer Edition - Full Lineup Announced

There is an unusual fresh feeling of optimism in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland following the opening of the CRL, enabling speedy musical connections all around the super city. Banished Music and Strange News are harnessing this positive energy, revealing this morning a super snazzy lineup for Strange Universe: Summer Edition. A logical third step for the multi-venue, multi-date festival, Strange Universe: Summer Edition is a constellation of star-powered sonic events orbiting the central city and The Hollywood Avondale this coming November and December, with the exciting addition of the first ever Strange Universe Tiny Film Festival.

Overseas special guests include pioneering US synthesist Suzanne Ciani — performing in full quadraphonic sound at the Hollywood Avondale with Dream Chambers — US folk / country / Americana artist Courtney Marie Andrews, rising Bristol trip-hop / jazz crew Tara Clerkin Trio, NYC songwriter Allegra Krieger, and the return home of UK-based Aotearoa songwriting star Nadia Reid with US artist Mimi Gilbert.

The world-class local contingent includes dreamscape voyagers Purple Pilgrims, who are soon releasing their latest album Given to the Night via Flying Nun Records and influential UK imprint AD 93, soul powerhouse Romi Wrights whose new record Andy via Mānuka Recordings has been reaping high praise from those who know, a rare local outing from noise-punk veterans Die! Die! Die!, a cosy Public Bar gig spotlighting Dictaphone Blues with rising talents Beth Torrance & The Garden Party, and that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Running in parallel with the musical programme is the new Strange Universe Tiny Film Festival, spotlighting cinematic selections by the Banished Music and Strange News team every Thursday. Revisit Suzanne Ciani's illuminating 2021 conversation with UTR interviewer Pat Kraus HERE and snag tickets while you can for Strange Universe: Summer Edition...

After another huge year promoting dozens of international and local shows, Banished Music and Strange News decided it was time to put their feet up and take a much needed break. Just kidding, we’ll sleep when we’re dead! Introducing… Strange Universe: Summer Edition! With a gigantic thanks to the fine people of Karangahape Road Business Association!

Strange Universe is fast becoming Tāmaki Makaurau’s new favourite show series, and with this late November / early December line-up, we think we’ve cracked the code. Nine brilliant shows, eighteen incredible acts, six favourite venues, and we’re showing Banished, Strange News, and Hollywood Avondale’s favourite films across November and December!

BANISHED MUSIC & STRANGE NEWS PRESENT
STRANGE UNIVERSE: SUMMER EDITION - NOV / DEC 2026
PLUS! THE STRANGE UNIVERSE TINY FILM FESTIVAL

SUZANNE CIANI (USA)
 + DREAM CHAMBERS
Wednesday 25th November - Hollywood Avondale

ROMI WRIGHTS
 + EO
Friday 27th November - Kāhui St David’s

COURTNEY MARIE ANDREWS (USA)
 + HINA
Tuesday 1st December - Double Whammy

ALLEGRA KRIEGER (USA)
+ MALI MALI
Wednesday 2nd December - Whammy Bar

DICTAPHONE BLUES
+ BETH TORRANCE & THE GARDEN PARTY
Thursday 3rd December - Public Bar

DIE! DIE! DIE!
 + OFFICE DOG
Friday 4th December - Double Whammy

PURPLE PILGRIMS
+ SCHOFIELD STRANGELOVE
Saturday 5th December - Kāhui St David’s

TARA CLERKIN TRIO (UK)
 + GREATSOUTH
Tuesday 8th December - Double Whammy

NADIA REID
 + MIMI GILBERT (USA)
Saturday 12th December - Pitt St Methodist

STRANGE UNIVERSE TINY FILM FESTIVAL
at The Hollywood, Avondale

Thursday 12th November - THE HISTORY OF CONCRETE (2026)
With a soundtrack by Suzanne Ciani, how could we not show this film festival favourite by John Wilson one more time? Not to be missed - last chance!

Thursday 19th November - ALMOST FAMOUS (2000)
It’s probably cliché that a music person's favourite film is about rock’n’roll and being on tour, but Almost Famous is just so damn good and never gets old - Cuillin (Banished)

Thursday 26th November - THE OUTSIDERS (1983)
Based on the book written by 17 year old S.E. Hinton. A sincere and nearly perfectly realised film about adolescence, and the magic of friendship. "Stay gold, Ponyboy, Stay gold." - Billie (Hollywood Avondale)

Thursday 3rd December - THE VIDIOT FROM UHF (1989)
This Weird Al Yankovic movie is the greatest of all time. Fight me! - Matthew (Strange News)

Thursday 10th December - THE CABLE GUY (1996)
Critically unacclaimed, just like me! - Reuben (Banished)

Tickets on sale now from banishedmusic.com
Including the all new Patron Pass for single or double access to all shows & movies

Here's a snippet from 2017 documentary Suzanne Ciani - A Life in Waves...

Experience 'Cons and Clowns' from Courtney Marie Andrews' new album Valentine...

Groove along with the title track to Tara Clerkin Trio's The Turning Ground EP...