Electric Avenue releases 4000 extra festival passes exclusively for locals

Australasia’s biggest music festival, Electric Avenue, has announced 4000 extra tickets for local residents.

The festival’s 2027 iteration sold out “almost instantly” last month, with tens of thousands of fans joining online queues as soon as tickets went live.

The additional weekend passes will be available exclusively to residents of Christchurch City and the Selwyn and Waimakariri districts.

The increased capacity follows an agreement to temporarily use part of an adjoining Hagley Golf Course fairway.

The tickets have not yet gone on sale.

The general-sale and One NZ allocations were exhausted within minutes, with tickets sold or processed in customers’ carts shortly after each release.

Electric Avenue is at Hagley Park, Christchurch, on Friday, February 26, and Saturday, February 27.

Festival director Callam Mitchell said after the festival sold out last month that the response had been “extraordinary”.

“We feel a real responsibility to repay the faith people have placed in us,” he said.

“Now our focus is on delivering an epic experience for everyone joining us in February.”

Calvin Harris will be a major attraction. Photo / Ollie Millington, Redferns

Multi-platinum rock band Kings of Leon will return to Christchurch for the first time in 19 years.

Joining Kings of Leon at the top of the bill is Calvin Harris, one of the most globally successful electronic artists of his generation.

Harris has amassed billions of streams through global hits including We Found Love, Summer and This Is What You Came For.

His Electric Avenue appearance will be a New Zealand exclusive and his first performance here since 2019.

Mitchell said securing both headliners reflected how far Electric Avenue had come.

More than half of Electric Avenue festival-goers have come from outside Christchurch. Photo / Radlab

“We’ve got two genuine global stadium artists as headliners.

“But what I love about this 2027 line-up is the breadth of it. It’s a really eclectic mix of genres, with something for all generations.

“We’ve definitely got to the point where New Zealanders no longer have to leave the country to experience the calibre of artists you get at these major events.”

Also performing are Kasabian, who formed nearly 30 years ago and headlined Glastonbury in 2014, and Australian indie favourites Lime Cordiale.

Acclaimed UK soul and funk act Jungle will make a New Zealand-exclusive appearance.

The electronic line-up spans generations and includes house music pioneer Kenny Dope, of The Bucketheads and Masters at Work fame, who has been a defining figure in New York house music for more than 30 years.

Kings of Leon.

British act Underworld have been one of the most influential forces in dance music for more than three decades.

Their landmark Born Slippy NUXX became one of the defining tracks of the 1990s after featuring in the movie Trainspotting in 1996. Their Electric Avenue appearance will also be a New Zealand exclusive.

“Underworld for me personally is huge,” Mitchell said.

“Like Kenny Dope, they literally helped shape electronic music. It’ll be incredible to see them perform live alongside some of the biggest names in it today.”

Split Enz reunited to play at Electric Avenue in Christchurch. It became the band's 1000th show. Photo / Radlab

Drum and bass – long a favourite with New Zealand audiences – is represented by Hybrid Minds and Wilkinson, alongside Birmingham’s K Motionz, one of the hottest names in contemporary drum and bass with a particularly strong following here.

Bebe Rexha, Tove Lo and Kehlani add modern pop and R&B to the line-up.

The strength of the local line-up runs deep, too.

Fat Freddy’s Drop, one of the country’s most enduring live acts, headline Friday’s homegrown charge, while Saturday brings Ladyhawke, Home Brew and Sachi – three artists who’ve built loyal followings well beyond the festival circuit.

Kiwi legends Th’ Dudes return 50 years on from their formation, and two years after they proved a huge hit when they last played Electric Avenue.

“That’s the fun of this festival,” Mitchell said.

“You can come for Kings of Leon and Kasabian, Calvin Harris and Major Lazer, Bebe Rexha and Tove Lo, Jungle and Lime Cordiale, or Hybrid Minds and Wilkinson.

“It shouldn’t necessarily all work on one festival bill – but it does.”

Attendees at last year’s event spent almost $14 million, according to an economic impact report.