Two of the country’s most successful acts have been added to the top of the bill at next year’s Mānuka Phuel Synthony Festival, with another sold-out show anticipated.
Christchurch drum and bass group Shapeshifter and Waimate country star Kaylee Bell will play at the March 21 event in Auckland – where artists reimagine their songs with support from an orchestra – alongside house DJs Nice ‘n’ Urlich and local duo Made You Look, promoters confirmed this morning.
A carousel of homegrown turntable artists have also been named to headline the Pepsi DJ Stage over the day, from the likes of Flamingo Pier and radio host Beccie B to Synthony Pride MC and drag queen Scary B. Mean.
Mānuka Phuel co-creator Alex McDonald said Synthony’s latest programme is “bold and high-energy”, mirroring the drinks company’s own values.
“Our ongoing partnership with Synthony reflects Mānuka Phuel’s deep connection to music, performance and culture – it’s a celebration of creativity, energy and the next generation of New Zealand sound.”
The latest acts will only fuel anticipation for an already stacked line-up.
In August, organisers announced Kiwi rock band The Exponents will perform in Auckland’s Domain as part of the one-day festival. It will be the Why Does Love Do This To Me hitmakers’ first Auckland show in three years.
“We are so looking forward to getting back together to play at Synthony in the Domain,” the band said in a statement.
“We have watched this event get bigger by the minute and are honoured to have been asked to be part of it. Bring your picnic and more importantly, your voice. We’re going to be on fire.”
International acts include Faithless, Peking Duk, Hot Dub Time Machine and local favourites The Black Seeds.
The 2026 show will also premiere Synthony No 7 – a brand-new set list created exclusively for the event, performed by the Auckland Philharmonia and conducted by Sarah-Grace Williams.
British electronic dance act Faithless will perform in New Zealand with a full live band for the first time in over two decades. The group, perhaps best known for the hit God Is A DJ, have sold more than 20 million albums, with streaming numbers close to one billion.
Aussie’s Peking Duk are Aria Award-winners and regular faces at festivals here and across the Tasman, and The Black Seeds have taken their Kiwi sound to the world.
Earlier this year, 40,000 people attended the Synthony Festival, which combines a live orchestra with club music to create an inner-city, outdoor dance party. The 2025 sell-out event featured more than 183 performers, 58 orchestra members and a 2000-strong crew working on the $1.8 million production.
More than 10,000 people were in the audience at Spark Arena in July for two spin-off shows: Full Metal Orchestra and Synthony Origins.
The concept has been described by its founders as the “Cirque du Soleil of music”, and David Higgins, the founder of Duco Events, which runs the festival, has promised fans an even bigger experience next March.
“In 2026, we’re planning to scale up every aspect, from the stage production to the artist line-up,” Higgins said.
“This year’s line-up showcases a strong mix of international artists and leading talent from Aotearoa. We are continuing to elevate the festival in 2026, with enhanced sound [and] world-class visuals, creating a premium live experience for all attendees.”
Where: Auckland Domain, Auckland.
When: March 21, 2026.
Who: Shapeshifter, Kaylee Bell, Peking Duk, Faithless, The Exponents, Hot Dub Time Machine, The Black Seeds, Made You Look, Nice ‘n’ Urlich, Beccie B, Flamingo Pier (DJ set), Scary B. Mean, Pixie Lane x Kazi Flip, Take Em To Church, Tim Phin.
Tickets: synthony.com
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