WHAT'S ON
WHAT'S ON
See what's coming up at the Wunderbar
BEATS
FRIDAY 9 OCTOBER
We're putting quite the production together on October 9th at the Wunderbar, we'll have a lightshow accompanying 5 Djs, 3 of which are surfacing from the underground and another 2 from Europe all to play an over arching genre of Techno, with its more specific focus being the self expression and experimentation that make the underground scene here so unique
Dj Pilgrimage opening us up at 830 with her high energy, club oriented bass that'll hopefully leave the rafters intact
Dj Gecko following her with a unique take on light vs dark techno themes, you can expect ethereal leadups and trippy drops
Following him Dj NCLS all the way from France will be bringing us back to reality with his eurocentric skills
Dj Zbones the adrenaline junkie that he is will be exclusively running a crowd work set, if his skiing is any indicator on how he plays, you can expect steezy energy and jump heavy intensity
And finishing us off will be Dj Mömentö freshly experimenting with techno he's looking to incorporate the heavy bass of DnB with a unique techno twist
Doors 8pm | Starts 8:30pm
Tickets from $10
SURF TRASH - NO CHASER - ALBUM TOUR
SATURDAY 10 OCTOBER
Alt-rock legends, Surf Trash, are coming
After a huge few months tearing through the UK, Europe & the US, we’re finally bringing No Chaser back home (+ New Zealand for the first time in 4 years!)
Come celebrate the new album with us as we hit the road around New Zealand, playing these songs live for the very first time alongside all the Surf Trash favourites.
Expect our biggest shows yet, exclusive tour merch and a few surprises along the way.
We’ll see you in the pit ?
Doors 8pm | Starts 8:30pm
Tickets from $14 unwaged
BABYLONICA
SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER
Join Babylonica for their debut performance as an Indie duo.
Featuring fresh originals as well as music from the minds of Phoebe Bridgers, Lou Reed and Mitski.
With support from Sam Beal and Okay Cam, you can expect a relaxed night appreciating beautiful acoustic sets, fresh songwriting and reflective covers.
Tickets $10; limited door sales on the night.
Doors 8pm | Starts 8:30pm
Earlybird tickets $7
RESONATE: NOCTURNE - RETURN TO THE PULSE
FRIDAY 16 OCTOBER
As darkness falls, we return to the pulse.
Prepare yourself for a mystical late-night soundscape, where deep beats, hypnotic rhythms and soulful sounds weave together into a journey that carries you deeper and deeper into the night.
Our DJs will take you on a musical journey through the darkness — building the energy, shifting the mood and keep you moving on the dance floor.
A deep, mystical journey through the underground.
Expect hypnotic Afro House, Progressive House and Tech House, building into Uplifting Trance, before diving deeper into stomping beats, big bass, Drum & Bass and Techno and Psytrance.
Expect dark, driving rhythms. A night of raw energy, deep grooves and hypnotic soundscapes — lose yourself in the music, follow the rhythm, and stomp your feet into the night.
Featuring:
CHEIWE
JUSSY
ANGELIX
HANAMAN
and more
Come as you are. Bring your friends. Come with the community, connect through music and lose yourself in the moment.
And while we’re dancing, we’re also building something bigger.
Resonate: Nocturne is a fundraiser for Resonate Festival 2027. Every DJ is donating their time and energy, and all profits from the night go directly towards making the festival happen.
So come dance with us.
Come support the music.
Come support the community.
Come Return to the Pulse.
Doors 8pm | Starts 8:30pm
Tickets $20
POP FUNK
THURSDAY 22 OCTOBER
Get ready for an electric night of high-energy grooves!
KJDOGSTYLE is bringing the ultimate pop-funk experience to the stage. Paying homage to the legendary sounds of Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, and Jamiroquai, their performance blends infectious slap bass, soulful melodies, and unstoppable dance beats.
Joining the bill are local favourites, The Reverberators, setting the vibe early with their massive sound.
Grab your tickets and get ready to move!
- ARTISTS -
KJDOGSTYLE
The Reverberators
- DOORS -
Open: 7:00pm
Reverberators: 7:30pm
Conrad MS: 8:30pm
Doors 7pm | Starts 7:30pm
Tickets $10
THE JAM SESH
SATURDAY 24 OCTOBER
Prepare for an incredible night of loud, jam oriented music as four bands take the stage
Kicking things off, Jade Dogs set the tone with their filthy, grunge-soaked Brit rock
From there Rabbits will be taking over with post punk psychedelia, that is reminiscent of Led Zeppelin if they did more psychedelics
Next, Look Over There crank up the chaos, blasting through a set of experimental noise punk
Before Kenring lock down the headlining slot with a surge of hard rock that will make you question whether or not Jimi Hendrix reincarnated.
Doors 8pm | Starts 8:30pm
Earlybird tickets $15
DULL DRONES, NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE, THE SPACE
FRIDAY 23 OCTOBER
Three bands, one kick-ass night of music.
Featuring:
Dull Drones
Near Death Experience
The Space
Doors 8pm | Starts 8:30pm
Earlybird tickets $10
THINGS FROM MY BRAIN HOLE
THURSDAY 29 OCTOBER
Chris Lippy is back with another Stand-Up show that has music, magic and the greatest beer drinking trick you have ever seen.
He has been digging deep in his brain hole and you will learn how Lord of the Rings could have been quite a bit shorter, How he plans to be New Zealands most famous dyslexic writer, and Why his biggest fear is being a foetus.
Maddening and unapologetic, sharp and obteuse (I think that's how you spell it. The thing where you're quite overweight)
Chris Lippy has been a regular on Backroom Comedy and hosts the Richmond Comedy Club and Marlborough Comedy Open Mic shows. He performs regularly at the Waa Haa and was an opener on the Gish tour. Fresh from recording a stand-up comedy TV show pilot, he's set to perform across the country.
Doors 7pm | Starts 7:30pm
Tickets $15
FENDER JONES - ALBUM RELEASE
SUNDAY 25 OCTOBER
Fender Jones will be celebrating the release of his third studio album - Strike - with his band backing him at the backroom of The Wunderbar.
All songs from the new album will be played, as well as favourites from his previous albums.
"The songwriting itself should practically render you speechless...The music is remarkable, the lyrics beautifully bold, honest, vulnerable and real and will send shivers straight down your spine." Sleepingbag Studios
Doors 7:30pm | Starts 8pm
Tickets $20
SHAUN KIRK
WEDNESDAY 4 NOVEMBER
Hailing from the music-filled streets of Melbourne, Australia, Shaun Kirk is an award-winning blues and soul troubadour recognised for his exceptional talent as a born entertainer. His unique talent has not only earned him many accolades but also much praise from fellow artists, such as three-time Grammy Award Winner Fantastic Negrito, who has declared his show as "One of the best one-man shows I've ever seen!"
Kirk's vocals exude a gritty, soulful depth that seems to transcend far beyond his years, with critics continually acclaiming him as "one of the finest blues voices Australia has ever heard" (Buzz Mag). Complementing his vocal artistry, Kirk's vintage guitar tones and raw grooves pay tribute to the timeless influences that have shaped his musical journey, resulting in a distinctive sound fast becoming his own.
Shaun’s musical journey has taken him to stages all over the world, where he's not only performed but consistently sold out shows, leaving audiences enthralled by his magnetic presence. From iconic festival stages like Bluesfest Byron Bay, where he's become a familiar name, to sharing the billing with legends like Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin, John Mayer, Paolo Nutini, John Butler Trio, and The Teskey Brothers; Kirk's artistic prowess is in esteemed company. Moreover, he's also had the honour of opening for household names such as blues maestro Joe Bonamassa, soul sensation Allen Stone, and the indomitable Beth Hart; further solidifying his place in the landscape of contemporary music. This remarkable journey is a testament to Kirk's unmatched talent and ability to connect with audiences across genres and generations.
WHAT THE PRESS IS SAYING ABOUT SHAUN KIRK
“It’s rare to see someone bring down the house as an opener, but Australia’s Shaun Kirk did exactly that. He connected with the crowd immediately” – Soundcheck Entertainment, Canada
“One of the most explosive acts Australia has to offer” – Mixdown Magazine, Australia
"My faith in this generation’s music has been restored.” - Dearhead Press
“Simply astounding." - Forte Magazine, Australia
Starts 7pm
Tickets $25
3 INDIES, 1 NIGHT
SUNDAY 22 NOVEMBER
Rachel Hird, Bill Heffernan and Jane Shearer will perform their original songs on piano, guitar and cello.
Rachel's songs from her recent album Through the Page tell her family stories through song, accompanied by piano.
Bill plays Godin guitar to fit with his folk-rock, country-rock style. He'll likely have a special guest and will perform originals as well as some well known covers.
Jane swaps between guitar and cello to embed humour into songs with catchy tunes and unusual themes. Her recently release album Menagerie covers a range of animals, together with a couple of songs about the orange haired guy from the USA.
The gig is free but koha is welcomed.
Doors 6:30pm | Starts 7pm
PARK ROAD - BOYHOOD ALBUM RELEASE TOUR
THURSDAY 26 NOVEMBER
Alt-pop favourites PARK RD are coming home. The band hit Wunderbar on Thu 26 November as part of the Boyhood Album Release Tour - their first NZ shows in nearly 12 months after relocating to Sydney in early 2026.
New album Boyhood is out 13 November: eleven songs capturing the coming-of-age years Tom, Leo, TK and Carlos are living right now, led by singles 'English Boy' and 'Fatal (with Molly Millington)', with new single 'Floodlights' landing 9 October.
Expect the band in blistering live form, fresh off a run of Australian shows.
Don't miss it. Tickets on sale Friday 9 October.
Thanks to Loop and NZ On Air Music.
Doors 7pm
Tickets $25
SAWFISH WITH JAM JAR & DJ SCOFFY
SATURDAY 28 NOVEMBER
Maybe for the only time ever these three acts are appearing at the fabulous Wunderbar in Lyttelton.
Sawfish evolved as a co-created musical project by friends old and new from around Whakaraupo/Lyttelton Harbour. Sawfish is all about making relatable and danceable original songs.
So if you want to move your feet to some funky pop grooves then get along and see us
The elusive Jam Jar rarely ventures out for gigs on stages with bright lights and PAs. Jam Jar are known by some in the undergrowth of the music ecosystem for playing improvised original versions of other people’s songs. The Ōtautahi and Ōhinehou based members infrequently gather to play, but on hot nights when they do, Jam Jar oozes with sweet stickiness
The night will round out with perennial favourite DJ Scoffy playing great grooves into the small hours.
Doors 7:30pm | Starts 8pm
Tickets $20
DUB MASTER SINGLE LAUNCH PARTY
SATURDAY 12 DECEMBER
Deep Fried Dub release their new single Dub Master featuring MC Lady Killawatt.
Come join us for the live experience at our Otautahi launch party @ Wunderbar.
Deep Fried Dub will be playing a live electronic set of original tunes with Lady Killawatt on the mic.
Support by North Island heavyweight DJ King Macka.
Expect a night of bass therapy as we move through Dub, Dancehall, Dubstep and Jungle rhythms.
Killa! ???
Starts 9pm
Tickets $20
NEW YEAR'S EVE: TECHNO TUNNEL
THURSDAY 31 DECEMBER
COME AS YOU ARE. LOSE YOURSELF IN THE MOMENT.
This is more than a night of music. It's a journey.
And what better way to close out one chapter and step into the next? As one year comes to an end and a new one begins, this is your chance to leave behind the noise, let go of expectations, and celebrate in a way that feels real. No pressure. No pretence. Just good people, incredible music, and a shared moment you'll remember long after the night is over. The perfect end to the year. The perfect beginning to the next.
From the moment you arrive, we want you to feel welcome. Come as you are, connect with people, let go and have a good time. No judgement, no expectations. Just good energy and great music.
You'll meet Miri first. She'll be the friendly face at the door, welcoming you in and making sure you're feeling comfortable before you step inside. She's part of what makes the night feel personal. Not just another event, but a room full of people who are here to share the experience.
Once inside, Natalie takes you somewhere else entirely, bringing the space to life through light, visuals and atmosphere. Because this night isn't just about what you hear. It's about what you see, feel and experience.
And then the music takes over.
Layer by layer, beat by beat, the energy grows as the night pulls you deeper. The DJs will take you on a journey through sound, atmosphere and movement, building towards a moment when everything comes together and the room becomes one. No rushing. No formula. Just a journey through sound, energy and connection.
Feel the bass. See the lights. Find your people. Lose yourself in the moment.
Celebrate the end of the year with freedom. Welcome the new year with energy.
Come for the music. Stay for the experience. Leave with a story.
KEEP DANCING! TECHNO TUNNEL
Starts 8pm | Finishes 3am
Tickets $25
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