Festival News - Splore festival drops second music programming lineup, announces theme 'Beings' - 29th October 2025

Co-curated by - Shaquille Wasasala aka Half Queen, John Minty

New Zealand’s greatest independent music and arts festival is back. Splore 2026 is returning to Tāpapakanga Regional Park in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland on February 20th-22nd with a bold new vision and a killer line up, as the festival moves to a new era with fresh programming, new creative spaces, and curated experiences. Today, the three-day celebration gets even more exciting with the second drop of its music programme, as well as the announcement of 2026’s much anticipated festival theme.

Co-curated by Shaquille Wasasala aka Half Queen alongside long-time festival curator John Minty, this stellar international and local line up brings the best of music and art from home and around the world, set across six stages in one of the most beautiful festival locations in the world.

Each year Splore sets a theme that becomes the shared language, kaupapa and spark for their well-known legendary dress-ups. The reveal is always a little mysterious, always much awaited. This year, the name is simple: BEINGS. Beings represents everyone. Being here, being present, just… being. All our glorious, perfectly wobbly, imperfect Beings.

“Splore is a full spectrum of beings in every state of being,” says festival producer Fryderyk Kublikowski. “It takes every crayon out of the box to draw a rainbow, so come as you are, or come as your most extraordinary self. You’ll fit right in. Be bright, be soft, be sun-kissed, be sequinned. Be silly, be soulful, be seen. Mostly, be here.”

Today’s announcement sees the much anticipated return to stage of the iconic Coco Solid [Kuini Control] with CoconutClouds, bringing a celebration of timeless queer storytelling to showcase the new vanguard of Aotearoa artistry.

Another local icon, JessB returns to Splore showcasing the re-release of her original breakout mixtape with bonus songs including ‘Okay Then’, ‘Boohoo’, and ‘Don’t Stop’ featuring Jamaican dancehall artist Roze Don, as well as a captivating Baltimore Club-style remix of ‘Bullseye’ produced by HalfQueen & Pasquinel.

Dubbed Italy’s Daft Punk, Mind Enterprises, who are leading the Italo Disco revival (yes it’s a thing) also join the Splore line up. Literally building a cult following overnight, Mind Enterprises’ mildly ironic party sound has led to over half a billion streams of their track “Never Going Home”.

Also announced is American singer Parson James, whose genre-blending sound and deeply emotional storytelling have positioned him as one of the most distinctive voices in modern pop and dance music. Best known for co-writing and performing on Kygo’s multi-platinum hit “Stole The Show,” which has surpassed 1 billion streams globally, Parson’s music is rooted in contrast — soul and euphoria, gospel and EDM, struggle and resilience. His perspective as a queer, biracial artist raised in the conservative South has shaped a narrative that is as emotionally powerful as it is culturally important.

And adding to the party flavour, Splore welcomes back Glastonbury favourite, The Beatles Dub Club and Brooklyn’s most fabulous and dynamic house music duo, Monstah Black and Manchild Black, who are The Illustrious Blacks.

Local punk heroes, Dick Move, join the line up along with DJ’s BBYFACEKILLA b2b Snakelegs, Arcadia, Love Language, Hudge, Bobby Brazuka, Dastardly Bounder, Rose Alice and DJ Banty.

With this complete lineup announce, the Splore team have reflected on the challenging nature of putting a festival together in this day and age. As costs climb, belts tighten, and the mutli-national corporate content machines keep pumping out fad-by-numbers. The festival stays fiercely independent and happily different, a world-class gathering with big production value and plenty of soul, set beachside at Tāpapakanga Regional Park. “We choose craft over churn, experience over hype. Splore is Aotearoa at its finest. Creative, diverse and uniquely ours.” says festival producer Fryderyk Kublikowski. “Yes, costs are up and the times are tight, but our promise stays bright.”

Gratitude sits at the centre. The team remains thankful for a loyal audience who return to Tāpapakanga. “Your support lets us champion the talent, artistry and unique culture of Aotearoa,” says Kublikowski. “We’ll keep raising the bar and making it worth your time, your travel, your hard-earned spend.”

So, the invitation stands. A full spectrum of beings, in every state of being. World class, Aotearoa at its finest, salt air on the breeze. Be curious, be kind, just be here.

SPLORE 2026
Röyksopp (dj set) (NO) || Sister Nancy (JM) + Legal Shot (FR) || Nightmares on Wax (UK) || General Levy (UK) + Joe Airwa (UK) || Mind Enterprises (ITA) || Parson James (USA) || Miss Kaninna (AU) || C.Frim (AU) || Illustrious Blacks (USA) || Beatles Dub Club (UK) || Franca (DE)

Tami Neilson || Coco Solid || Jess B || Christoph El Truento (live) || Estère || Dick Move || Romi Wrights || Te KuraHuia || Benny Salvador || Chiccoreli + Tali || DylanBiscuit b2b ajhoneysuckle || BBYFACEKILLA b2b Snakelegs || GoldTooth || Half Queen || ilish || Kaiviti || Marjorie Sinclair || NymphLoads || ORIKoL || Vercetti || WAEWAEXPRESS || Arcadia || Love Language || Hudge || Bobby Brazuka || Dastardly Bounder || DJ Banty || Rose Alice

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW
 
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Tour Dates:

February 20th-22nd - Tāpapakanga Regional Park in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland

Ticket Sales:

https://www.iticket.co.nz/events/2026/feb/splore-festival

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