Slackbarn 2026 line-up revealed for Havelock North’s Black Barn Vineyards

Muroki performs at the first Slackbarn festival at Black Barn Vineyards in January. Photo / Ryo Nishikawa

Summer music in Hawke’s Bay is heating up, with Slackbarn announcing a stellar line-up for a second year.

The alternative music festival held at Havelock North’s Black Barn Vineyards is bringing five international acts to the Bay, plus a strong line-up of local talent to play on Saturday, January 10, 2026.

American folk singer-songwriter Kate Bollinger will headline Slackbarn at Hawke's Bay's Black Barn Vineyard on Saturday, January 10.

Headlining the festival will be American folk songstress Kate Bollinger, bringing tunes from her critically acclaimed 2024 debut album Songs From a Thousand Frames of Mind.

Joining Bollinger from Australia will be DJs Ninajirachi and Harley Girl, garage rock louts The Grogans and post-punkers Shady Nasty.

Giving a taste of Kiwi on the line-up will be the ethereal Marlin’s Dreaming, psychedelic stars Nic and Reuben, Hawke’s Bay’s golden-voiced Miakie and Wellington rockers Half/Angel.

Also featuring are DJs Eden Burns, Nice Girl, Dylan Biscuits and A.J. Honeysuckle.

Festival organiser Ben Morgan of the Slack Agency said he has always loved seeing acts at Black Barn’s “most beautiful venue”.

“After Slackbarn one [last year], we wanted to be more exploratory with genres – and adding a second stage allows us to tap into more electronic acts,” he said.

Morgan said the plan with the line-up for Slackbarn 2026 was for punters to see it and go “oh yes, I love them”.

Tickets to the limited-capacity festival are available for purchase now, including shuttle passes to and from Hastings and Napier.