2024 Gig Guide

Unity Singers bring their community spirit to the opening act of the festival!

The exciting Friday set includes Karen Clarke, Adam McGrath and OdESSA what an energy boost for the night. 5.30 to 10.30 - what a bargain!

OdESSA! Electrifying charisma, dynamite grooves and action-packed fun are guaranteed from one of the country’s premier live, original indie-funk bands.
Ten seconds into hearing their iconic signature tune Bring The Money Back and you’re hooked for life, but you absolutely must see them live - you will be amazed!

Arguably Aotearoa’s finest original blues artist, Darren Watson captivates audiences with his beautiful guitar playing and soulful vocals. His 2020 Tui-nominated album, ‘Getting Sober for the End of The World’, showcases his evocative storytelling and masterful musicianship. Don’t miss this chance to experience his compelling live solo performance!

Come and laze with us! This laid back, entertaining pass includes Wellington Heads, King Leo and Turkey the Bird

New Zealand's folk trio "Turkey The Bird" will remind you of the famous Margarita cocktail infused with a hint of "Simon & Garfunkel", 2 ounces of "Mumford and Sons", a splash of banjo and served on ice on a sunny day.

The Kevin Downing Guitar School Lab Band - A 17-PIECE GUITAR ORCHESTRA!

Karen is joining us as the MC of the Foyer! You can see Taranaki artist Karen Clarke has been refining her R’nB feels in the provincial music scene over the last 25 years. KC’s original material skirts a range of blues styles with a rootsy, contemporary edge and an occasional jazz dalliance. Appreciated for her trademark mahogany vocal over rhythm her solo project is power packed!

This pass gets you 3 power acts in Globe 1, this is our headlining Super Show with Darren Watson, Powerhouse Blues with Nick and Neil and HEDLOK! King Kapisi and Che Fu... what a day!

A one-two punch of Chicago and West Coast blues!

No stranger to the Palmerston North music scene, hard working capital city band Wellington Heads perform at the Blues, Roots and Groove Festival, 12 midday, on Sunday 8 September. They’ll be playing their blend of original jump blues and swing, 40s / 50`s rhythm & blues styles and including Hawaiian sounds, Caribbean beats, and funky New Orleans grooves. Playing songs from their new album ‘World Keep On Turning’ as well as a bunch of tunes from their extensive back catalogue.

Purple Haze - the music of Jimi Hendrix, Cream, The Doors, Led Zeppelin. ALL THE BLUES!

Adam McGrath is a folk singer and yarn spinner stationed wherever he can get a key! Described by RNZ as a “National Treasure” and the Herald as “NZ’s toughest minded songwriter”, Adam is more widely known as lead singer and songwriter with one of NZ’s most loved roots/country bands The Eastern. He spends 8 months a year on the road between NZ, Australia, Europe and parts beyond. With The Eastern and
solo he has shared stages with and opened for Fleetwood Mac, Steve Earle, Old Crow Medicine Show, Paul Kelly, Jimmy Barnes and many, more.
His song Hope and Wire was the inspiration behind Gaylene Preston’s TV series of the same name and he is
known for his service orientated approach to music in the years since. Described as “maybe part folk singer, part preacher, part boxer, and part rodeo clown he is however all heart”. Raucous, tender, roof and spirit raising a McGrath show goes straight for the spirit level in all of us, looking deep for the good parts and hoping to reach all the thoughtful bits that matter.

A true buffet of blues! With the irrepressible Erna Ferry

Two of the greatest hip hop artists in Aotearoa’s history are headlining our 2024 NZ Blues, Roots and Groove Festival.

As Hedlok, Che Fu and King Kapisi bring their legendary vocal talents and turntablist wizardry to the Globe - Master MC's in the house!

When it comes to blues, King Leo is the genuine article. Hailing from America, LaDell has shared the stage with blues legends such as Pinetop Perkins and Bo Diddley, and over decades of performing, has crafted a distinctive yet authentic blues sound which he delivers to audiences with authority and presence.