Strange Universe – Summer Edition 2026 at Multiple Venues (NZ)

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…

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Strange Universe: Summer Edition!‍

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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!!!!

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We're also offering a very special patron ticket where keen gig-goers can see as many shows and films as they like, and support the cause at the same time! Got someone else just as excitable in your life? We've got double pass patron tickets too!

Strange Universe Summer | Patron PassThursday 12 November 2026Various VenuesAucklandJump on the bandwagon. It's the Strange Universe Patron Pass where you can a) access every single show & movie in our programme with either a single pass, or a double pass b) jump in and help support Banished & Strange News do what we do with a sizeable contribution in exchange for a sizeable number of SHOWS (and now, movies!)Get Tickets Suzanne Ciani + Dream ChambersWednesday 25 November 2026The Hollywood AvondaleAucklandKicking off proceedings is the "Diva of the Diode” herself, Suzanne Ciani! A bona fide synthesizer hero, Ciani is playing Wednesday 25 November in full quadraphonic sound at the Hollywood Avondale with special guest Dream Chambers.Get Tickets Romi Wrights + EoFriday 27 November 2026Kāhui St DavidsAucklandFresh from dropping her debut album Andy on Mānuka Recordings, Aotearoa’s favourite soul singer Romi Wrights is bringing her all-star band to Kāhui St David’s on Friday 27 November. With label-mate Eo in support, it’ll be a show to remember.Get Tickets Courtney Marie Andrews + HinaTuesday 1 December 2026Double WhammyAucklandMaking a welcome return to Aotearoa, Courtney Marie Andrews is set to play a headline show alongside the wonderful Hina at Double Whammy on Tuesday 1 December. Courtney’s ninth album Valentine arrived this year, with Mojo praising it as “moving, beautiful and uplifting”.Get Tickets Allegra Krieger + Mali MaliWednesday 2 December 2026Whammy BarAucklandHere for the first time, it’s New York City songwriter Allegra Krieger, playing Whammy Bar on Wednesday 2 December with local luminary Mali Mali playing songs from his upcoming album Psychic Acorns. Allegra makes sparse, gorgeous music, and dabbles in noise and electronics too. We’re obsessed, and you will be too.Get Tickets Allegra KriegerThursday 3 December 2026San FranWellingtonNew York based songwriter and composer Allegra Krieger brings her singular blend of folk, rock and indie pop to San Fran on 3 December, joined by special guest Elly Mae.Get Tickets Dictaphone Blues + Beth Torrance & The Garden PartyThursday 3 December 2026Public BarAucklandAfter tinkering away in their secret rock’n’roll laboratory, Dictaphone Blues are back, baby, and ready to party. Don’t call it a comeback, come down and have a killer time with the good times gang and check out their new jams at Public Bar with Beth Torrance & The Garden Party on Thursday 3 December!Get Tickets Die! Die! Die! + Office DogFriday 4 December 2026Double WhammyAucklandThe fearsome trio that is Die! Die! Die! return from the wilderness to throw down at Double Whammy on Friday 4 December. Set to remind us why they’re the sharpest knives in the drawer, Die! Die! Die! will be joined by Flying Nun faves Office Dog. Woof! Woof! Woof!Get Tickets Purple Pilgrims + Schofield StrangeloveSaturday 5 December 2026Kāhui St DavidsAucklandWith Flying Nun and now AD93 announcing their breathlessly anticipated new album Given To The Night, out November 27, ethereal sister duo Purple Pilgrims will be entrancing us all with their new work at Kāhui St David’s on Khyber Pass, Saturday 5 December.Get Tickets Tara Clerkin Trio + GreatsouthTuesday 8 December 2026Double WhammyAucklandWith Pitchfork calling their latest batch of songs “a riot of invention”, celebrated UK experimental group Tara Clerkin Trio are headed our way for a Strange Universe exclusive, playing Double Whammy with the sensational Greatsouth on Tuesday 8 December.Get Tickets Purple Pilgrims + Mercury FèngFriday 11 December 2026Vogelmorn HallWellingtonEthereal sister duo Purple Pilgrims return this December to bewitch Vogelmorn Hall with songs from their much-anticipated new album Given To The Night, out November 27 through Flying Nun and AD93.Get Tickets Nadia Reid + Mimi GilbertSaturday 12 December 2026Pitt Street Methodist ChurchAucklandClosing out our final 2026 season, Nadia Reid returns from Manchester to share her magic with us once again alongside longtime collaborator Sam Taylor. Saturday 12 December at the gorgeous Pitt St Methodist Church, Nadia will be joined by Californian songwriter and honorary Antipodean Mimi Gilbert.Get Tickets