Two fresh, youth-led events are hitting Auckland in July and they're about to show off the future of Aotearoa's music scene!

BIG FAN's Ignite Programme is a game-changing initiative currently running in both Auckland and Wellington, offering rangatahi hands-on experience, mentoring, and insight into the many pathways the music industry has to offer.

After eight weeks of mentoring, workshops, studio sessions, venue tours and real event planning, the next generation of music industry professionals are ready to show you what they're made of! The result? Two seriously cool student-run events happening back-to-back at BIG FAN in Tãmaki Makaurau.

In Auckland, students have taken part in seminars with Matthew Crawley and Lucy Macrae, explored major venues like Spark Arena and The Civic, and started recording music in BIG FAN's studios. Their final student-led shows - Off The Record and Winter Freeze - take place on Fri 11 Jul and Sat 12 Jul.

In Wellington, students are working out of Massey University's world-class facilities, supported by local mentors and immersed in the capital's creative community. Their showcase events are set for 2nd and 3rd August, with details to be announced soon.

Off The Record

Fri 11 Jul | BIG FAN, Auckland

Get ready to join the celebration of Aotearoa's rising talent who are carving out their place in the live music world. OFF THE RECORD showcases a diverse lineup of homegrown artists for one massive, unforgettable night of rising talent. Spanning genres from indie and alt-pop to electronic and everything in between, there's something for every music lover. Your new fave artist could be in this epic lineup featuring Lily Stiven, Rèver, GLXRIA and Brazilian Stallion.

Grab your tickets now!

Winter Freeze

Sat 12 Jul | BIG FAN, Auckland

Experience the future of local music at Winter Freeze, a high-energy showcase of rising youth bands Steal Wool, Text2Speech, and Tangerino. Moose Nose Productions presents Winter Freeze: a curated live music event celebrating the depth and range of emerging youth bands in our local scene. Featuring a lineup of dedicated, original artists, the show offers a platform for young musicians to present their work in a professionally staged environment with a full audience.

Secure your tickets today!