AlleyKat
AlleyKat is a playful rascal that relishes any opportunity to share his love of bass music and revels in a performance full of fun and grunty phat tunes. Delving deep in the crates for timeless gems and layering and remixing them over bass driven tech, garage and deep house is AlleyKat’s favourite playground. AlleyKat brings the stage to life, and the audience together, creating flow and moving energy in an engaging, participative way, weaving fun and memorable times in a sea of beautiful bass.
ASHEZ
ASHEZ is a bass music producer from Auckland, New Zealand. He has made quite a name for himself worldwide with his music reaching millions of streams across platforms. During his career, ASHEZ has collaborated and worked with some of the biggest names in the bass music world including CloZee, Opiuo, Truth, Stylust, K+Lab and more. He has toured the U.S, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand and has performed at globally renowned festivals such as Lightning in a Bottle, Envision, Texas Eclipse, Shambhala, Rabbits Eat Lettuce etc. He is known for high-energy performances, a culturally creative style, and a refreshing approach to bass music.
Barn Dance with a Twist
MC Lucky Luke takes you on a fun interactive dance journey, through a range of simple dances and theatrical movements, in pairs, groups, and altogether - all to an array of music styles including traditional folk, rock’n’roll, ska, hip-hop, electronica, and more. No previous dance experience necessary, just forget your troubles and dance!
Benthamism
The intention of Benthamism is to gather the greatest number with the greatest enjoyment, full participation and presence is the goal, with that we together create an experience that transcends daily life and welcomes limitless creative expression. Musically diverse, expect bass-driven funk, hip hop, house, breaks, drum & bass, and your grandmothers vinyl collection. For this Lucky Star occasion, Benthamism's unique Audio Visual experience features mind expanding visuals with comedic dance synchronized to every beat—just a lot of fun really.
Facebook 〰️ Instagram 〰️ SoundCloud
Breath Wright
Breath Wright - aka DJ Amandamania - grew out of the wild counterculture of Goa and early Burning Man, later co-founding Splore and shaping Aotearoa’s festival pulse. Breath & Beats is her playful, heart-led fusion of guided breathwork, movement, and music where the breath becomes The Breath Metronome. A joyful, grounding, liberating journey that blends her decades behind the decks with her work as a breathwork and Qi Gong teacher - inviting you to move, breathe, and come alive.
Website 〰️ Instagram 〰️ SoundCloud
Culture Embassy
Afrocentric-World Music quintet led by singer-songwriter/guitarist ‘Ras Judah’ hailing from Botswana, accompanied by four fellow ‘Culture Embassy’ band members from Ghana, England, Tanzania, and Aotearoa. The cultural diversity of the group is reflected in the sound of the music as much of what we play is based on African rhythms and songs, plus Roots Reggae, with everyone contributing their own culturally inspired sound. A world music treat!
Dylan C
Dylan C has been a fixture on the New Zealand festival circuit for years, performing at every Splore at Tapapakanga since 2006. He is known for curating bass-driven DJ sets with a deeply emotive style.
From sunrise sessions at Lucky Star and legendary party sets at Crystal Palace to the witching hour at Wendy’s Wellness and closing out the main stage in 2023 alongside Ed Zuccollo, the sets are always a unique journey.
Dylan C will be returning to Splore 2026 alongside the team at Lucky Star
Harry Charles
Harry Charles made his mark in Berlin, where he honed his craft and developed an electrifying style characterized by downtempo beats, slow house rhythms, live instrumentation, and heartfelt vocal performances. His artistry has earned him releases on various labels as well as spots on the lineups of prestigious festivals and clubs across Europe. Now based back in Aotearoa, Harry brings a renewed vitality to the local electronic music scene. His debut album, In The Light Of The Open Door, and EPs like One Seven One and On Film & In Life have showcased his creative evolution and deepening artistry.
Spotify 〰️ SoundCloud 〰️ YouTube
Libby K
From the vibrant streets of Wellington, Libby's fascination with music began at an early age with the smooth sultry sounds of the clarinet and piano. Fast forward to her 20s where she stumbled into the hypnotic world of techno in Berlin and a passion for 4/4 was ignited. With a deep appreciation for the power of music to transform, Libby finds the greatest joy on a dance floor, where the magic of music brings people together and gives us the freedom to be ourselves. Her sets are filled with uplifting, emotive and tantalising sounds. Mixed with intention and a whole lot of love xx
Lord Woo
Genre neutral and gender diverse, Lord Woo plays anything that makes your bum wiggle and your mouth giggle. From cheeky tracks to full-throttle bangers, their sets rebel joyfully against taking anything too seriously. It’s all about the fun: big bass, pumping beats, and carefree energy. Joined by the high-energy Lordy Dancers and breaking out live lead guitar, Lord Woo turns every show into a vibrant, full-on spectacle packed with joy, surprises, and vibes that refuse to fit in any one box.
Mamadafunk
Mamadafunk has clocked up so many hours behind the decks now that rumour has it she even twiddles knobs in her sleep. She has been spreading infectious grooves in bars, electrifying parties, and igniting stages at many festivals across New Zealand and the UK including Splore, Rhythm and Alps, AUM, Shipwrecked, Twisted Frequency, Wilderness, Secret Garden Party, and many more.
The Lucky Star stage is where some of her most memorable sets have unfolded. She delivers phat bass & delectable melodies, expertly mixed, with an irresistible passion that is downright contagious. Listen out for the the stories and humour she weaves through the music.
SoundCloud 〰️ YouTube 〰️ Mixcloud
Matt Rapid + Elise Adlam
Big, gnarly and unhinged bass music with the fearless vocals of Elise Adlam. A performance bristling with raw energy and movement, merging lush, heavy and beautiful bass music, visceral soundscapes and soaring vocal melodies creating an experience that's epic, primal and electrifying - built for loose late night movement.
SoundCloud 〰️ Bandcamp 〰️ Mixcloud
Mermaid Bait
Mermaid Bait brings a decade of Whangārei-grown sonic magic. Since 2020, the band has levelled up with a tight brass-loaded lineup, flipping their originals into high-energy, percussive marching-band-style bangers.
Genre-fluid blending pop, reggae, ska, and balkan, their dynamic sound comes to life on their latest EP Mermaid Bait & the Brass Monkey.
SoundCloud 〰️ Bandcamp 〰️ Spotify
Mix n Match
Meet Mix n Match, the dynamic duo behind an explosion of chaotic fun and the architects of a thoroughly outrageous time. A play on words, Miki & Max (Mix n Match) will take you on a wild ride, where tom-foolery, shenanigans, and a whole lot of mischievous antics prevail. Born from a love of animal print and happy house beats, these two rascals will have you “Mixin n Matching” anything they can in the space of an hour. Come join the ruckus.
Mozzarella Cheese Making Rave
Mixing cheese science with banter, bullshit and a dash of magic, international cheese maestro Wallace Wensleydale and hype-master MC Sergio Velcro, and their delightfully unflappable assistant Heidi will take you on a stirred-curd odyssey. From fresh milk to fully stretched mozzarella, this trio churns out laughs, lore and lactose in a high energy cheese string rave you'll never forget. Prepare for culture. Literally.
msjos
An eclectic performer who finds joy in the weird and whimsical, msjos has been bringing wide grins and bass faces alike to audiences across NZ for half a decade. With an ear for grooves and an obsession with the odd, Joss is on a constant quest to bring pleasantly peculiar sounds to the masses with his multi-genre performances. Whether funk, house, glitch-hop, indie dance, slow chunky techno, breaks, jungle, whatever Joss is vibing is what he’ll play.
Nikita 雅涵 Tu-Bryant
Nikita 雅涵 Tu-Bryant. is currently touring her U P C L O S E acoustic series: intimate, personal - honest.
Come enjoy Nikita's songs with commentary, and get to know the Taiwan-born artist's creative process and intentions behind her writing.
Taiwan-born, Pōneke based multi-hyphenate Nikita 雅涵 Tu-Bryant - (actor in AVATAR 2, Far North TV SERIES, WORLD OF WEARABLE ARTS THE DREAM-MAKER 2024) known for fronting bass heavy psych-pop trio KITA (TWISTED FREQ '26, WOMAD '23) will be playing an U P C L O S E acoustic series around the motu, countering her high-energy shows with her band • KITA • Expect intimate shows, some in private locations.
YouTube|Chasing Summer 〰️ YouTube|This Is Me Now 〰️ YouTube|Every Day
Patsy Skeet
Patsy Skeet is a boundary pushing DJ and performance artist surfing a kaleidoscopic wave of radical self-expression. Patsy blends cosmic sounds including subby UK bass, glittering disco, driving techno, and samples from pop culture moments to curate a unique sound: psychedelic disco tech. Her festival sets are not just about music; they’re immersive performance art experiences featuring collaborations with rebellious performance artists, filled with vibrant visuals and responsibly made costumes. An experience that will leave you gobsmacked and forever changed. A cosmic celebration of life, art, and the power of being bold, being yourself.
SoundCloud 〰️ Vimeo〰️ Bandcamp
Pretty Fly & A White Guy
Pretty Fly & a White Guy is dynamic vinyl power duo Emily Sultan (Salty Chops) and Jeff Oakley (Dolphin Therapy/Cheep Frills). Married to music and married to each other, they also marry sounds - from old-school bangers to modern slammers - that return us to the source of musical heart. Never riders of the norm, they choose to play the music behind the music: The stuff with eternal shelf life that reminds us of the point of music at all. Feel soul. Imagine disco and folk. Think conscious hip-hop. Together, they entwine these sounds to create a much-needed sonic reset in these times of peak capitalistic absurdity.
Queen B & The Nobles
Queen B & The Nobles are a Wairarapa-based soul-fusion outfit blending retro and neo-soul with jazz, funk, and psychedelia to create a smooth sound all their own. Fronted by Queen B, the band's core features BB and Parker on guitars, Hercules Brown on bass and Lenny on drums, with occasional guest musicians joining the noble ranks. Drawing on years of global experience and wide-ranging influences, Queen B & The Nobles craft a seasoned, soulful, genre-bending groove.
Ravensdaughter
Lithuanian artist Ravensdaughter blends the soul of Eastern Europe with Latin grooves and earthy twang of American folk, creating a soothing acoustic sound perfect for slow mornings.
Bandcamp 〰️ SoundCloud 〰️ YouTube
Sanoi
Originally hailing from Germany, SANOI aka Jonas Fisher is a producer, DJ and a key member in the electronic/dance music scene in Aotearoa. He has graced the stages of many of New Zealand’s most-loved festivals & clubs where his deeply danceable DJ sets see him move seamlessly across warm, melodic, groove-driven techno and beyond. Constantly developing as an artist and finding expression through music are some of the key factors that drive him, whether it be in the studio or behind the decks, SANOI has proven he’s dedicated to the craft of providing meticulous, melodic and mischievous sets and sounds to dancers all around the world.
Sister Act
Sister Act is a lively dance duo who turn their sisterly bond into feel-good entertainment. With a playful mix of humour, sassy moves, and natural chemistry, they bring warmth and personality to every performance. Expect plenty of giggles and moments that feel spontaneous in the best possible way.
Take ‘Em To Church
Take ’Em to Church is a new collaboration between award-winning vocalist/producer Tali— a global force in electronic music—and DJ/producer MissB, known for two decades of performances including support for Carl Cox and Basement Jaxx. Long-time friends and collaborators, their combined energy, stage presence and production skills create an expertly crafted experience. Blending classic house hooks with driving grooves, live vocals and keys, it’s a progressive deep-house set built to uplift any dance floor.
The Fantastic Mr Penguin
Fresh from 18 months of entertaining over a quarter of a million people on the high seas between China, Japan and Taiwan. The Fantastic Mr Penguin has finally returned to NZ shores for a few select shows. Join him at Lucky Star this summer for a whirlwind ride absolutely jam packed with incredible juggling, silly audience interactions, bad penguin jokes, the odd uncomfortable truth and of course a suitably ridiculous & definitely dangerous finale!
The Huneybee Wild
Small town, surf inspired music.
For over 15 years The Huneybee Wild have been dazzling audiences at their local Mexican restaurant. Hailed as Whakatane’s 4th most popular musical duo, the pair enjoy long conversations at the Four Square due to their local fame, and are on a B rotation at the local radio station 1XX FM and can be heard between 2-4 am on most Mondays or Tuesdays. For what The Huneybees lack in grand musical achievements, they make up for in original song writing, onstage banter and a musical connection that spans decades. Original tunes reminiscent of 90s surf culture, folky pop and a sprinkle of grunge.
The Mara
Hailing from the sunny west coast of Taranaki, The Mara serves up a vibrant, genre-bending indie rock feast with a dash of global spice. Blending flavours from Latin, Middle Eastern, and Eastern European sounds, and staying true to the sun-soaked Kiwi summer ingredients, they cook up a musical recipe that’s irresistibly upbeat, zesty and colourful.
Tommy and the Woo
Award winning NZ singer songwriter, ‘Tommy Midnight’, teams up with British musicians ‘Lord Woo’ (on lead electric guitar) and ‘Guitarman Luke’ (on bass), NZ's own Linda on keys and trumpet and Willy on percussion to deliver a full show of electronic big-beats with original rock-reggae, hip-hop and country tunes, to.. get.. you.. dAncing !!
Tysonidero
Having been a performing musician most of his life, Wellington-based Tyson Smith originally added DJing to his repertoire as a means to share rarities from his vinyl collection, but soon began exploring further, and has since DJed at various venues and festivals. With an interest in music from around the globe, expect groovy elements of African, Arabic, Bollywood and Latin music as Tysonidero delves into sonic treats from across space and time!