Master Frank Fu w/ Gideon Voon and Corey Friedlander

The night before Homegrown erupts, Nivara Lounge fires first. Master Frank Fu, Gideon Voon and Corey Friedlander unleash fast, technical, movement‑driven heaviness.... the kind of Friday‑night show you’ll want to be in the room for.

Local heavy‑punk outfit The Vile Maxim kick off the night, so get in early to support them!

Master Frank Fu aren’t playing Homegrown, which makes this their only show of the weekend and they treat it like one. Their take on heavy music is fast, technical and physical, built around martial-arts-influenced movement, sharp timing and a sense that the stage is part of the instrument. With players drawn from House of Ousey and Stormforge, they don’t just play songs, they put on something you actually watch.

Voon and Friedlander bring a stripped-back instrumental intensity: no vocals, no frills, just guitar, drums, and intricate arrangements. Their single Ancient Promise is out now and will be part of the set, delivering precise riffing, double-kick patterns, and odd-time grooves.

Friedlander is well known across the Aotearoa metal scene through bands including 8 Foot Sativa, City of Souls, In Dread Response and is now drumming in Shepherds Reign. He joined Sativa at 17 during their most intense touring years, and has since earned a reputation as one of the country’s sharpest and hardest-hitting drummers.

Voon’s work in Shepherds Reign has shaped their sound and live approach, taking the band from South Auckland to international tours, including shows alongside The Hu and Disturbed, as well as award-winning releases such as Ala Mai.

Opening the night are Hamilton locals The Vile Maxim..... heavy punk carved from the rusted bones of the Waikato underground. Based deep in the Piako swamplands, they’re a four‑headed noise machine bringing high‑voltage chaos to every stage they touch. The pit awaits.

“It’s fast, it’s furious, it’s punk, what more could you want?”

“Their stage presence was strong and demonstrated a lot of band chemistry.”

If you’re in Hamilton for Homegrown and plan to spend Saturday at the Rock Stage, Friday night at Nivara Lounge is where the weekend begins.

Master Frank Fu with Gideon Voon & Corey Friedlander (Instru-Metal)
Guests The Vile Maxim

Early Bird Presales — $10 (end Tuesday 3 March, 9pm)
General Admission — $15
Door — $25