If you’ve ever wondered what timeless indie-pop sounds like, look no further than The Bats. With over four decades of sweet, jangling brilliance behind them, the Christchurch-born icons are hitting the road for their most extensive New Zealand tour in more than 20 years, and they’re bringing their stunning new album Corner Coming Up with them.
After a rammed set at The Others Way Festival reminded everyone why they’re so beloved, The Bats are packing up their chiming guitars and melodic mystique to visit nine cities across the motu. From Dunedin to Napier, Auckland to Blenheim, they’ll be performing tracks from Corner Coming Up, their eleventh album, alongside crowd favourites from a career that began with a gig on New Year’s Eve in 1982 and never really let up.
Corner Coming Up, recorded with longtime collaborator Tex Houston at Chicks Studio in Port Chalmers, isn’t just a victory lap, it’s a triumphant continuation of a sound that’s only grown more golden over time. Bright guitar lines, glowing harmonies, and that unmistakable Bats-ey charm have seen the record soar to #1 on the Independent Music NZ chart and #2 on the Official NZ Album Chart. Critics agree, with Uncut calling it “sublimely crafted deadpan pop” and AllMusic rightly dubbing the band “wise tribal elders” of the scene.
What makes The Bats even more iconic is their unwavering lineup: Robert Scott, Kaye Woodward, Paul Kean and Malcolm Grant, still going strong after 40-plus years. Their chemistry isn’t just rare, it’s practically mythical.
The upcoming 2026 tour includes a mix of intimate theatres and cult venues, including a special show at Hollywood Avondale in Auckland as part of the new Strange Universe concert series curated by Banished Music and Strange News. That gig alone promises to be a highlight, the kind of show where every note hits different and nostalgia floods the room in the best possible way.
With a catalogue that includes indie treasures like Daddy’s Highway, Silverbeet, Fear of God and Free All the Monsters, The Bats have soundtracked generations without ever chasing trends. They’ve simply stayed true to their melodic, melancholic, heart-swelling selves, and fans across Aotearoa now get the chance to hear it all live.
Feb 20 – Theatre Royal, Nelson
Feb 21 – ASB Theatre Marlborough, Blenheim
Mar 6 – Last Place, Hamilton
Mar 7 – Hollywood Avondale, Auckland (part of Strange Universe)
Mar 12 – Paisley Stage, Napier
Mar 13 – St Peters, Paekākāriki
Mar 14 – Meow, Wellington
Mar 20 – Dropkicks, Dunedin
Mar 21 – The Loons, Lyttelton
Tickets are on sale now via Banished Music. Whether you’ve loved them since the ’80s or are just discovering them, this tour is a rare chance to experience a band who’ve mastered the art of gentle reinvention without ever losing the thread.
Four decades on, The Bats aren’t just still standing, they’re soaring.
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