Tour News - The Bats announce Aotearoa NZ Tour - 5th December 2025

Presented by Banished Music

The Bats

‘Sublimely crafted deadpan pop’ - Uncut

“….the weight of their catalog has grown to the point where they come across like wise tribal elders”  AllMusic.com

‘any day The Bats release music into the world is a 'Lucky Day' as far as listeners are concerned. - Under The Radar

Fresh from a triumphant, room-rammed set at The Other’s Way festival, Aotearoa indie legends The Bats are heading out on the road in 2026 to finally deliver the live accompaniment to their much-loved 2025 album Corner Coming Up. Recorded with Tex Houston at Chicks Studio in Port Chalmers, their 11th album Corner Coming Up charted at #1 on the IMNZ chart & #2 on the Aotearoa Music Charts and shows The Bats at their shimmering, melodic best; full of bright guitar lines, warm harmonies, and the band’s unmistakable Bats-ey sweet mystique.

A beloved part of the Flying Nun story, the band have maintained the same lineup since Robert, Kaye and Paul shoplifted Malcolm from The Bilders who played their first gig on New Year’s Eve 1982 in Dunedin.

So behold, nine shows across February and March in The Bats most extensive NZ tour in over 20 years, sharing songs from the record alongside treasured picks from their four-decades-deep knockout catalogue.

Adding to the intrigue, the Auckland headline date at Hollywood Avondale is part of Banished Music & Strange News newly minted Strange Universe show series.

Tour Dates:

Feb 20th - Theatre Royal, Nelson
Feb 21st - ASB Theatre Marlborough, Blenheim
Mar 6th - Last Place, Hamilton
Mar 7th - Hollywood Avondale, Auckland (part of Strange Universe - ON SALE)
Mar 12th - Paisley Stage, Napier
Mar 13th - St Peters, Paekākāriki
Mar 14th - Meow, Wellington
Mar 20th - Dropkicks, Dunedin
Mar 21st - The Loons, Lyttelton

Ticket Sales:

Banished Music

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