March in Tāmaki Makaurau was already looking busy. Now it’s officially unmanageable, in the best way.
Banished Music and Strange News have confirmed the full Strange Universe: Autumn Edition 2026 line-up, stretching across some of Auckland’s most loved venues and bringing with it a genuinely stacked mix of international heavyweights and local brilliance.
If your taste leans electronic and slightly left of centre, Norwegian duo Smerz are heading to Double Whammy following the release of their 2025 album Big City Life. Their sound moves between minimal club textures and emotionally sharp pop moments, and they’ve invited Erny Belle to join them for one of her only shows of the season, which quietly makes this date essential.
Neck of the Woods gets the late-night treatment with Nabihah Iqbal returning to Aotearoa for a DJ set. Known internationally for both her live work and long-running presence on NTS Radio, she’s joined by Tāmaki Makaurau-based Iraqi artist and producer Mariam, whose sets draw from Maqams, Raï, dancehall and dub. Expect movement. Lots of it.
For those who prefer their evenings seated and slightly spellbound, Pitt Street Methodist Church hosts two particularly special nights. Los Angeles songwriter Annahstasia makes her Aotearoa debut, bringing the intimacy of her recent album Tether into a space that feels built for stillness. She’s joined by local alternative folk artist Na’amah Cheiban, whose delicate guitar work and emotionally direct songwriting continue to resonate across the city.
That same venue will also welcome the long-awaited return of Jolie Holland for an intimate duo performance. Sharing the stage is her longtime collaborator Steve Abel, stepping back into performance mode for a rare solo appearance. It’s the kind of pairing that feels thoughtful rather than flashy, and that’s exactly the point.
Meanwhile, things get louder at The Powerstation. Ty Segall returns with his band following the release of Possession, bringing the raw, riff-driven energy he’s known for. Joining him are Japan’s explosive Guitar Wolf, promising a night that will lean unapologetically into volume.
Hollywood Avondale sees The Bats celebrating their 2025 album Corner Coming Up, a reminder of just how enduring their songwriting has been across decades. Opening the night is HalfSisteR, a newly formed project featuring members of Jean-Paul Sartre Experience, Superette and Drorgan.
Double Whammy also hosts Derya Yıldırım & Grup Şimşek for their only Aotearoa show, blending Anatolian folk traditions with psychedelia, soul and funk. They’ll be joined by an all-star live incarnation of WAIWHAI, adding further depth to an already rich bill.
Rounding out the month, Swedish psych-rock outfit Les Big Byrd bring their expansive sound to Auckland, joined by reunited trio Sulfate for a night that promises to close the series with real weight.
Strange Universe: Autumn Edition 2026 isn’t just a run of gigs, it’s a carefully curated sweep across genres, spaces and moods. From hushed church acoustics to full-throttle rock nights, March in Auckland has officially become a choose-your-own-adventure.
Choose wisely. Or don’t. Sleep is overrated.