SIX60. If you’ve lived in New Zealand for more than five minutes, you’ve probably heard their name dropped in casual conversation or blasting from someone’s car stereo at full volume. They’re not just a band—they’re practically a cultural phenomenon at this point.
Their story starts in a pretty unassuming way: five uni mates crammed into a student flat on 660 Castle Street, Dunedin. Little did they know that their late-night jam sessions would evolve into the soundtrack of a nation. With Matiu Walters on vocals, Ji Fraser shredding lead guitar, Chris Mac holding it down on bass, Marlon Gerbes weaving magic on synths, and Eli Paewai keeping it tight on drums, SIX60 have mastered the art of making music that hits you right in the feels and gets you dancing all at once.
From their 2011 debut album to now, they’ve delivered banger after banger—Don’t Forget Your Roots, Rise Up 2.0, Sundown—you name it. These tracks don’t just sit pretty on playlists; they become life anthems. They’ve also delved into Te Reo Māori, because why not show the world the beauty of your culture while you’re smashing records?
But if you think they’re just a local band with a cult following, think again. SIX60 has taken their sound to the world stage, selling out shows from London to LA. Oh, and let’s not forget their crowning glory: playing a sold-out gig at Eden Park in 2021 during the COVID lockdown era. While most of the world was stuck watching Netflix in their PJs, SIX60 brought 50,000 fans together for one of the most iconic concerts in New Zealand’s history. Honestly, who else could pull that off?
