New Kingston Calling festival: Six60, Maoli and Stan Walker lead the two-day program in New Zealand
New Zealand is getting a new major music and cultural festival: Kingston Calling will take place on February 19 and 20, 2027, at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui, in the Bay of Plenty region. Organizers unveiled the festival's inaugural edition in early September, and on September 8 the announcement received additional international media attention. According to the official Kingston Calling website and the Flicket ticketing system, the two-day program will bring together 14 performers from New Zealand, the Pacific region and the United States. Among the biggest names are Six60, Hawaiian performer Maoli and New Zealand singer Stan Walker, alongside Fat Freddy’s Drop, SOJA, Arrested Development, Katchafire, Rebel Souljahz and Aaradhna. The festival is presented by organizer Fabrik and radio station Mai FM, while the event also has support from the New Zealand government through the Events Attraction Package program.
Kingston Calling is conceived as more than a series of concerts: organizers describe it as a festival of music, culture and community that connects performers from Aotearoa, the Pacific and the wider international scene. Aotearoa is the Māori name for New Zealand that is widely used by the public, and the festival's cultural identity is emphasized through both its name and its communication. Festival director and Fabrik founder Toby Burrows, a member of the Ngāti Hauā iwi, explained in an article reported by Rolling Stone Australia/New Zealand that the idea for Kingston Calling comes from the tradition of gathering the community after a call. In that sense, the festival is attempting to combine contemporary large-scale concert production with an emphasis on the connection between the audience, local and Pacific musicians, and the destination where it is held. Organizers present Bay Oval as the place where that idea should take physical form over two days in the middle of the New Zealand summer.
The first day is led by Maoli and Stan Walker
The program on Friday, February 19, will be headlined by Maoli and Stan Walker, with SOJA, Arrested Development, Katchafire, Hori Shaw and A.R.T. also performing. Maoli is a Hawaii-born performer whose official biographical materials describe his style as a blend of island reggae and country soul, so his appearance further emphasizes the festival's Pacific dimension. Stan Walker is one of the recognizable voices of the contemporary music scene in New Zealand and Australia, and his performance in Mount Maunganui fits the festival's concept of placing local stars alongside international names. Katchafire, a New Zealand band with a long tradition of reggae and roots music, further connects the program with a musical identity that has been strongly present in the country and across the wider Pacific for decades.
The international component of the first evening is especially highlighted by SOJA and Arrested Development. According to the official records of the American Recording Academy, SOJA won the Grammy for Best Reggae Album for "Beauty in the Silence" at the 64th awards ceremony, giving the festival a performer with confirmed international recognition in a genre that is important to the overall program. Arrested Development, a hip-hop group formed in Atlanta, won two Grammys according to the same institution, including Best New Artist and an award in the rap category for the song "Tennessee" at the 1993 ceremony. Their arrival broadens Kingston Calling's musical picture beyond reggae and soul toward hip-hop, funk and music that strongly emphasizes community and social themes. In this way, already on the first day, organizers are building a program that does not rely on just one market or one genre, but brings together different generations and musical traditions.
- Friday, February 19, 2027: Maoli, Stan Walker, SOJA, Arrested Development, Katchafire, Hori Shaw and A.R.T.
Six60 and Fat Freddy’s Drop carry the Saturday program
On Saturday, February 20, Six60, one of the most successful New Zealand bands of its generation, takes the headline position, and will be joined by Fat Freddy’s Drop, Rebel Souljahz, Te Wehi, Aaradhna, Marley NZ All Stars and Myshaan. Six60's official website has already included Kingston Calling among its announced performances for 2027, confirming that the band is returning to Mount Maunganui after a period without concerts at that location. Frontman Matiu Walters said, according to Rolling Stone, that the band particularly appreciates the atmosphere of Bay Oval, the view toward Mauao and the opportunity for the audience to gather there again. His statement fits the festival's central idea, which from the beginning has been promoted as an event built around a shared experience rather than simply a series of separate performances.
Fat Freddy’s Drop brings a different kind of weight to Saturday's program. The band, founded in Wellington in 1999, developed a distinctive sound combining dub, reggae, soul, jazz, funk and electronic influences, while the group's official biography notes its long international touring career and the multiple award-winning album "Based on a True Story". Their performance at Kingston Calling comes during the period marking the 21st anniversary of that album, giving Saturday's program additional context for audiences who have followed New Zealand music over the past two decades. Alongside them, Rebel Souljahz bring Hawaiian reggae, Aaradhna soul and R&B, while Te Wehi, Marley NZ All Stars and Myshaan expand the local and Pacific component of the program. With such a lineup, the festival positions itself somewhere between a major summer concert and a broader celebration of contemporary Pacific musical identities.
- Saturday, February 20, 2027: Six60, Fat Freddy’s Drop, Rebel Souljahz, Te Wehi, Aaradhna, Marley NZ All Stars and Myshaan.
Bay Oval as the festival stage in Bay of Plenty
Kingston Calling will be held at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui, a coastal part of Tauranga on New Zealand's North Island. Bay Oval is primarily known as an international cricket ground and the home of cricket in the Bay of Plenty region, but in recent years it has also been used for a wider range of public and private events. According to official information from the venue's management, Bay Oval's sporting capacity is around 12,000 spectators, although the capacity and configuration for Kingston Calling have not yet been separately confirmed publicly. The location is only a few minutes from the Mount Maunganui coastline, while nearby stands Mauao, a distinctive volcanic cone and a place of major cultural importance to local iwi. The view toward Mauao and the coastal setting are an important part of the way organizers present the festival's identity.
For international visitors, Mount Maunganui is one of the best-known summer destinations in the Bay of Plenty region. Tourism New Zealand describes the area as a coastal destination known for sandy beaches, surfing and hospitality, while Mount Maunganui is located immediately next to the urban area of Tauranga. However, travelers planning their visit as a tourist stay as well should follow current official notices. As of September 9, 2026, Tauranga City Council was still stating that Mauao and its walking tracks were closed because of major landslides and unstable terrain, so it is not possible to assume in advance what access arrangements will apply in February 2027. Festival organizers have not announced that this affects the event at Bay Oval, but visitors planning a broader stay in the destination are advised to check local warnings closer to the date of travel.
The two-day program is expected to attract audiences from beyond Tauranga, increasing the importance of planning transport and accommodation early for the festival weekend. Visitors who want to combine the festival with a coastal stay can look in advance at accommodation in Mount Maunganui and Tauranga, especially because the event takes place during the summer season. Official organizers have not yet published a detailed traffic plan, special festival public transport services or final information about entrances and zones at the venue, so those details will need to be checked once they are released. The same applies to rules concerning items that may be brought in, re-entry conditions and possible daily performer schedules. The lineup by day is currently confirmed, but the individual performance times are not.
The festival is part of the government's strategy for attracting major events
Kingston Calling has received support through New Zealand's Events Attraction Package, a program of the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment, or MBIE. According to official ministry data, the program is part of a wider Major Events and Tourism package worth NZ$70 million, of which NZ$40 million is intended for attracting significant events with the potential for large audiences, international visitors and economic impact. On the updated list of events supported by the program, Kingston Calling is explicitly named alongside other major music, sports and cultural projects planned for 2026 and 2027. MBIE states that the selection of projects takes into account economic stimulus, international profile, regional distribution of activity and the broader strengthening of New Zealand's events sector.
Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston said, according to the announcement reported by Rolling Stone, that Kingston Calling is expected to attract visitors to Tauranga and benefit the accommodation, hospitality and tourism sectors of Bay of Plenty. This is consistent with the stated goals of the government program, through which the government aims to encourage additional visitor spending beyond event tickets themselves. The exact individual amount of government support awarded to Kingston Calling is not stated on the publicly available MBIE page listing supported events, so it cannot be reliably reported. The government previously announced that the overall amounts for the events package would become more transparent after the entire portfolio was finalized and published. For a festival that is only just launching, government support simultaneously represents a signal of the ambition to develop Kingston Calling into an event that attracts audiences from multiple regions and from abroad.
R18 event and special safety rules
According to the official ticketing page, Kingston Calling will be an R18 event, meaning it is intended for people aged 18 and over. Organizers have already published a special Safe Space Policy, which is unusually detailed information for a festival that is still several months away. The document states that the safe-space rules apply to staff, performers, suppliers, volunteers and visitors and that they are part of the event's training program and operational planning. Security teams are expected to be trained in conflict management, responsible alcohol management, audience welfare and incident response. Organizers also emphasize inclusivity regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, religion or ability.
The Ask for Angela / Andrew initiative has been announced in particular. Under Kingston Calling's rules, a visitor who feels unsafe, intimidated or harassed will be able to discreetly ask a member of festival staff for "Angela" or "Andrew", after which trained staff should help the person reach a safe place and decide on the next steps. Organizers also state that problems may be reported anonymously during the event. Such a system is already used in nightlife and at events in various countries as a discreet way of asking for help, and Kingston Calling is including it in its safety policy from its first edition. For the audience, final operational instructions, including the locations of help points and reporting methods, will be especially important as the festival weekend approaches.
Ticket sales begin on September 9 and 10
Presale tickets for Kingston Calling are scheduled for September 9, 2026, at 7 p.m. New Zealand time, while general sales are announced to begin on September 10 at the same time. According to the official website, advance registration is required to access the presale, while public sales will be conducted through the Flicket system. At the time the announcement was published, organizers had not listed a full overview of pricing categories on the main information page in a form that could be independently confirmed, so interested visitors should check current information directly in the official ticketing system. It has been confirmed that tickets apply to the event on February 19 and 20, 2027, and that the festival is restricted to an adult audience.
The first edition of Kingston Calling therefore enters New Zealand's festival calendar with an ambitious combination of domestic stars, Pacific performers and internationally award-winning guests. Six60, Maoli and Stan Walker carry the largest part of the initial announcement, but the breadth of the program, from SOJA and Arrested Development to Fat Freddy’s Drop, Katchafire and Aaradhna, shows that organizers are targeting an audience that follows reggae, roots, soul, R&B, hip-hop and contemporary Pacific music. Bay Oval gives the festival a distinctive coastal location, while government support through the Events Attraction Package shows that the event is also being viewed as a tool for attracting visitors and strengthening the regional economy. The final impression will, of course, depend on production, logistics and the audience experience at the inaugural edition, but Kingston Calling has already been announced with a lineup strong enough to make it one of the more notable new music events of New Zealand's summer of 2027.
Sources:
- Kingston Calling – official festival website with dates, location and the event concept (link)
- Flicket / Fabrik – official ticketing page with the daily performer lineup, R18 designation and sales dates (link)
- Rolling Stone Australia/New Zealand – statements by Toby Burrows, Matiu Walters and Louise Upston and the context of the festival announcement (link)
- Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment – information about the Events Attraction Package and the government package for major events and tourism (link)
- Bay Oval – official information about the location, purpose and capacity of the venue (link)
- Kingston Calling Safe Space Policy – safety rules and the Ask for Angela / Andrew initiative (link)
- Tauranga City Council – current notice about the closure of Mauao and its walking tracks because of landslides (link)
- Tourism New Zealand – tourism context for Mount Maunganui and the Bay of Plenty region (link)
- Recording Academy / Grammy – information about Grammy awards for SOJA and Arrested Development (link)
- Maoli Music – official biography and description of Maoli's musical style (link)
- Katchafire – official biography and information about the band's roots reggae identity (link)
- Rebel SoulJahz – official website with information about the band's Hawaiian island reggae work (link)
- NZ On Screen – Aaradhna's profile and overview of her soul/R&B music work (link)
- Fat Freddy’s Drop – official biography and information about the band's career (link)