Australasia’s biggest music festival, Electric Avenue, concluded its 2026 edition in Hagley Park, Christchurch, over the weekend of March 1-2. The event featured acts spanning five decades, with highlights including returning legends and local talent. Organizers prioritized homegrown performers alongside international stars.
Electric Avenue descended on Hagley Park in Christchurch on Friday and Saturday, March 1-2, 2026, drawing crowds for a lineup of music across five decades.
Split Enz made a notable return on Friday evening, marking their 1000th gig, as announced by Tim Finn to the audience. The band, dressed in dapper suits reminiscent of their iconic photo, performed classics like “Six Months in a Leaky Boat” and “I See Red.” The crowd was diverse, spanning generations, with young attendees alongside parents and even an 80-year-old fan. A reviewer noted the inclusive atmosphere: “With so many different ages in the crowd, it felt nice to feel part of such a diverse collective as well as something quintessentially Kiwi.” Following the set, Split Enz announced a New Zealand arena tour.
However, the weekend was not without issues. Around 6:25 p.m. on Friday, as half the expected crowd surged toward The Hangar stage, behavior turned tense and rude, with people moving in packs. Outside the venue, the scene included spills of Red Bull and vomit, described as “horrid” by a reviewer.
Surprise elements added excitement. Australian DJ Dom Dolla remixed New Zealand’s “Slice of Heaven” by Dave Dobbyn with his track “Rhyme Dust,” while L.A.B. covered Simple Minds’ “Don’t You Forget About Me” and Eddy Grant’s “Electric Avenue,” the festival’s namesake.
Kesha delivered a 60-minute set on Saturday, starting with a wax head modeled after her Animal and Cannibal era, evoking 2010s pop nostalgia. Local acts shone brightly, including Fazerdaze, Goodwill, There’s a Tuesday, and Caitlin, especially after Live Nation acquired a 51% stake in Team Event. A reviewer praised the focus on Christchurch talent: “It was fantastic to see the festival organisers prioritise local talent on their lineup as much as the international names.” Overall, Kiwi performers were highlighted as stealing the show amid strong international acts like Dom Dolla and Kesha.
