Röyksopp, Sister Nancy, Nightmares On Wax And General Levy Announced To Headline Splore 2026

Returning in 2026, New Zealand’s most beloved bespoke festival is back. Splore 2026 will return to Tāpapakanga Regional Park, Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland February 20th -22nd with a bold new vision and a killer line up, as the festival moves to a new era with fresh programming, new creative spaces, and curated experiences. Splore 2026 promises an immersive, three-day celebration of music, art, community, and wellbeing.

Co-curated by Shaquille Wasasala aka Half Queen alongside long-time festival curator John Minty, this stellar international and local line up brings the best of music and art from home and around the world, set across six stages in one of the most beautiful festival locations in the world.

“Splore’s not just a festival experience; it’s a seminal musical experience for people in Aotearoa and it’s one of the best festivals I've ever played at, anywhere” says Half Queen. “Curating a festival like this It's been my dream since getting into the music industry and I can't wait to see it come to life this February.”

John Minty, Splore’s sole curator since 2006 adds “Half Queen’s vision with this line up has been incredible. I can't wait to see our audiences enjoy these acts this summer.”

Highlights of this years’ first music release include:

Legendary Norwegian electronic duo Röyksopp (DJ Set) will play Splore next February with a special two DJ hour set. Their breakthrough album, Melody AM, was a huge success (selling over a million copies) with singles Eple and Poor Leno becoming international hits. Known for major collaborations with singers Robyn, Goldfrapp and Karin Dreijer (The Knife/Fever Ray) and Lykke Li, Röyksopp has broad appeal beyond instrumental electronica. This is the twice Grammy-nominated duo’s first show back in Aotearoa in 14 years. The visit follows a string of recently sold-out headline shows in Australia.

Pioneering Jamaican dancehall queen, Sister Nancy will make her Splore Festival debut hot on the heels of the critically acclaimed documentary “Bam Bam: The Sister Nancy Story” featuring Janelle Monae and Pete Rock. This iconic tune is one of the most sampled tracks of all time with Beyoncé and Kanye West both featuring it. It is the ultimate ‘good vibe’ song which is heard at virtually every festival. Sister Nancy will be supported by French soundsystem heavyweight DJ Legal Shot.

UK’s Nightmares on Wax makes a long overdue return to Aotearoa. Playing two exclusive sets at Splore, the pioneer of trip hop and downtempo electronica is Warp Record’s longest serving artist, opening doors to new sonic landscapes for countless producers and musicians. Nightmares on Wax is known for seminal albums like “A Space Outta Sounds”, “Smokers Delight” and huge singles like “You Wish”, “Flip ya Lid” and “Da Feeling”. No surprise then that Nightmares on Wax has accumulated well over half a billion streams.

UK’s legendary ragga jungle MC, General Levy will take the Splore Stage backed by DJ Awira (son of the Mad Professor). General Levy is one of UK’s most booked MC’s, effortlessly delivering quickfire ragga, jungle and drum and bass lyrics with flair. His “Incredible” track (with M Beat) is considered one of jungle’s most iconic songs.

Narmada (Melbourne) music sensation, Miss Kaninna, is heading to Splore following a bevy of Best New Artist awards and sold out shows across the ditch. Her electrifying live performances are strongly rooted in indigenous rights funnelled through the genres of hip hop, punk and neo soul. She is the ‘Blak Britney’

Also from Naarm, underground dance scene sensation, C Frim, delivers heavyweight dub, sick rewinds and mixes and thumping dancehall. And from Berlin, multi sensory techno house DJ Franca joins the Splore 2026 programme.

Local acts are headed up by country/soul sensation, Tami Neilson, whose powerful vocals, stage presence plus tight band make her a popular choice for Splore’s Main Stage next February.

Also appearing is super producer Christoph El Truento who is curating a bespoke live show just for Splore featuring guest artists including Mara TK and Rubi du.

Songstress, Estère, is returning from London to stage with her new flamboyant “Diaspora Baby” show which draws on her Cameroonian roots.

From Whanganui - a Tara comes the powerful soul funk outfit, Romi Wrights, and the totally unique and sensational TeKuraHuia.

Also confirmed are Chiccoreli + Tali, Half Queen, GoldTooth, Benny Salvador, Rio Funk’s Marjorie Sinclair, ORIKoL, DylanBiscuit b2b ajhoneysuckle, Ilish, Waewae Express, Vercetti, Kaiviti and Nymphloads, with much more still to come.

Returning after a years’ hiatus, the 2026 festival will see a consolidated and reshaped experience for festival-goers – one that leans on its heritage and acknowledges changes in audience trends and behaviors and meets them there. From new music programming and artist development to smarter camping options and greater accessibility, 2026 will offer a
curated escape with deep connection, creativity and care at its heart.

Fresh for 2026 includes the addition of the Ultimate Festival Kit - a fresh offering including pre set up camping and camping gear rentals, perfect for those traveling to the region. Thanks to iTICKET’s bespoke flexible PayPlan feature, festivalgoers have the option to pay off their tickets over time on their terms.

Splore acknowledges the support and partnership of Ngati Pāoa and Ngati Whanāuga, Mana Whenua of Tāpapakanga Regional Park. Their embracing of the festivals’ vision and its attendees has been paramount with the welcoming pōwhiri is now a major highlight attended by thousands each year.

SPLORE 2026
Röyksopp (DJ Set) / Sister Nancy meets Legal Shot
Nightmares on Wax / General Levy + DJ Awira
Miss Kaninna / C Frim
Tami Neilson / Christoph El Truento (live)
Estère / Romi Wrights / Te KuraHuia
Chiccoreli + Tali / Half Queen / GoldTooth / Benny Salvador
Rio Funk’s Marjorie Sinclair / ORIKoL / DylanBiscuit b2b ajhoneysuckle
Ilish / Waewae Express /Vercetti / Kaiviti / Nymphloads
AND MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED
 
TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW

What’s New at Splore 2026

Strategic Return: After a planned hiatus in 2025, Splore returns with renewed purpose.
New Music Curation Team: A fresh approach to programming is underway, with a new generation of music curators steering the sound and vibe of Splore 2026. Splore is excited to announce Shaquille Wasasala aka Half Queen is working as a music curator alongside festival director John Minty, who has been sole music curator of the festival since 2005.

Payment Plans Available Now: Thanks to iTICKET’s bespoke flexible PayPlan feature, festivalgoers can pay off their tickets over time on their terms – making Splore more accessible in the current economic climate.

Ultimate Festival Kit: Enhanced ready-made and dry-hire tent options for those who want to just turn up and tune in – ideal for out of towners flying in for the event. The Ultimate Festival Kit takes away the necessity of bringing your own tent or camper, making it easier than ever to experience Aotearoa’s most iconic boutique festival.

Conscious Culture: As always, Splore remains committed to sustainability, inclusivity and creating a transformative experience rooted in Aotearoa’s land and people.

NZ’s Longest-Running Festival: First staged in 1998, Splore is a cultural institution – and 2026 marks a new chapter in its rich history.
Fun Facts about Splore

• Much more than just a music festival – Splore offers a comprehensive programme of world class creative performances, with surprising roving acts across the site, and a Saturday night cabaret always a highlight. And an immersive visual arts trail featuring works by the greatest of kiwi artists,

• Location location – The main stage and most of the action is held beachside at Tāpapakanga Regional Park, Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland so bring your togs!

• International and local acts – Splore always has a range of top notch artists.

• Wellbeing – Wendy’s Wellness is the hub for free yoga, breathwork sessions, educational talks, healthy food stalls and general good vibes.

• Greatest costume party in Aotearoa – Each Splore has a theme which inspires Splorers to get creative upcycling and tszujing costumes.

• Free General Camping – Everyone’s ticket comes with free camping, which nearly everyone who comes to Splore uses. There's a selection of free general and free family friendly areas.

• Family friendly – Splore offers two free family friendly campsites, giving parents with kids somewhere to mix and mingle.

• Children get to go for free – Each year approximately 700 children (ages 12 and under) attend Splore for free with their parents.

• Glamping and campers – Reserved camping, camper-vehicle sites and glamping tents can be prebooked in addition to the Ultimate Festival Kit.

• Accessibility – Splore allocates a number of accessible campsites for wheelchair users and people with special mobility needs.

• Day passes – Camping is not compulsory but it’s without a doubt the best way to fully immerse yourself in the Splore community. If it's just not your thing, there are limited pass-outs so you can leave and come back throughout the weekend.

• Getting married – There hasn't been a Splore without a wedding yet. Beautiful Tāpapakanga is the perfect spot for a low-key celebration.

• Sustainability – Splore is dedicated to delivering a world-class festival that minimises its environmental impact through meaningful, measurable action. Following a Zero Waste kaupapa, aiming to divert as much as possible from landfill by collecting and hand sorting everything onsite. Splore works closely with partners, vendors, and the audience to support this goal. Splore is committed to reducing its production-based carbon emissions, and encourages lower-carbon choices such as carpooling, public transport, and sustainable costuming. Splore has eliminated disposable cups and single-use plastics. Food is served in compostable serve ware, and locally sourced, vegan and vegetarian food options are prioritised. Splore is proud to act as a blueprint for sustainable events in Aotearoa, continually evolving its practices to align with the principles of the circular economy while inspiring positive change.

• Food and drink – A highlight of the Splore experience, the festival’s carefully curated food vendors offer a wide range of nourishing, affordable options, with plenty of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free dishes to suit all tastes as well as fresh juices, smoothies and great coffee. Guests are encouraged to leave the baked beans at home and explore the diverse flavours on offer. Bars are thoughtfully designed as welcoming spaces to relax, connect, and enjoy refreshments in comfort and shade. Far from the basic service typical of larger events, Splore provides the kind of quality and atmosphere usually reserved for VIP areas but at Splore, every guest is treated as a VIP.

There’s so much going on at Splore!

Splore History 
Splore began in 1998 as a small, grassroots gathering of music fans and artists at Karioitahi on the rugged west coast south of Tamaki Makaurau. After a few years at Waharau Regional Park the festival moved to its long-term home at Tāpapakanga Regional Park in 2006, where it has grown into one of Aotearoa’s most distinctive boutique festivals. Over the years, Splore has evolved from an ‘underground’ rave into a fully-fledged three-day event, known for its carefully curated mix of music, arts, and culture.

Past editions have featured international and local acts including Erykah Badu, Future Islands and Fat Freddy’s Drop, alongside large-scale arts installations, themed costume celebrations, and multidisciplinary performances. Splore has earned its reputation as a leader in festival sustainability in New Zealand, first achieving Toitū carbonzero certification for its event operations in 2021. Firmly established, Splore continues to celebrate its roots as a pioneering, independent festival with a loyal multi-generational audience.

© Scoop Media