Tour News - Final lineup announced for Strange Universe: Winter 2026 - 29th April 2026
Just announced - The Circling Sun
Banished Music and Strange News are counting down the weeks until Strange Universe: Winter; all set to light up the stages of some of Tāmaki Makaurau’s most beloved venues. Now, the time has come for the glorious and hotly anticipated full line-up reveal, with a very special new show announced, and a sensational string of world class local supports.
Kicking off the season of ten big happenings on May 26th, it’s one of the great American singer-songwriters Cass McCombs and his band, with support from the brilliant local folk and alt-country hero Holly Arrowsmith, followed a week later on June 3rd by post-punk champions Dry Cleaning with Flying Nun’s sublime sibling trio Womb.
Two days later on June 5th, the Welsh wonderwoman Cate Le Bon will return to our shores at last, with the man of the moment Mainard Larkin making his live debut in support, showcasing his new wrestling-themed country project out on Lil Chief Records.
The fun continues at the Powerstation the following night on June 6 with The Black Angels, celebrating the 20th anniversary of their genre-defining modern psychedelic rock classic and debut album, Passover. Praise be, these droning deities will be joined by psychedelic troubadour Arthur Ahbez, a mystical man seldom seen round these parts, and with his killer band to boot.
A brand new announcement and our final new show added to the series, Tāmaki Makaurau’s spiritual jazz ambassadors The Circling Sun take the hallowed stage of the Pitt St Methodist Church on June 12th, with support being the very first solo show from the incredible Yolanda F Fagan (Half Hexagon, Na Noise, Echo Ohs). Expect a smattering of sounds from all her projects, a real surf-synth surprise.
The joyful noise continues with the jazz-tinged indie rock sounds of Mei Semones, with the dream-pop sounds of the internationally adored Phoebe Rings opening the show on June 16, and Warp Records piano pioneer Kelly Moran joined by the shimmering strings of Motte the next night (June 17) at the exquisite Kahui St David’s.
It’s a sonic showdown for the ages on June 19, when Japan’s most prolific psychedelic legends Acid Mothers Temple go head to head with our very own kosmiche delights Half Hexagon, who are making their long awaited return to the stage.
Of course, we’re all fizzing like shaken soda cans at the imminent arrival on June 25 of space-age synth stalwarts Stereolab, joined by our friends and yours - Glass Vaults, set to come back together like Voltron for a show to remember.
Finally, June 27th sees the Fragile World album release show from holy heartbreakers The Veils, with the band joined by the intimidatingly brilliant Jazmine Mary. Now that’s a show series.
“I’m looking at my calendar and sort of realising that this is really a LOT of shows”
- Reuben Bonner, Banished Music CEO
Something between a music festival, and just a buttload of amazing gigs happening across the space of a wild wintry month, there’s something really special about Strange Universe. At the recent Autumn series, the atmosphere was electric, with a palpable sense that this is something Auckland needs right now. And we do, we need good times with amazing music, because it’s a strange dang universe for sure.
