Welcome to New Zealand Music Month – Hastings Edition!
All throughout May, we’re turning up the volume on homegrown sound right here in Hastings city and throughout the district.
From intimate sets in unexpected spaces to bold performances in our local venues, this is a celebration of Aotearoa’s rich musical landscape—with a local twist. Whether you're a lifelong music lover or just curious to discover something new, this month is your invitation to explore the talent, stories, and rhythms that make New Zealand music so special.
Check out these great events this May.
Going Local Hawke's Bay 2025 - Thursday 1 May
Ever wanted to know more about the music industry – how it works, who to talk to, what you need, why things happen and where you should look for help?
IMNZ presents a networking session called Going Local. It’s an informal way for you to meet with some established people already working in the music industry, who can offer advice and knowledge that will help to answer some of those questions above. It is also a chance for us to get to know you and hear about your own sound and vision for the future.
Hawke's Bay Music Industry Gala - Thursday 1 May
Hosted on the Opera House Stage, at Toitoi Hawke's Bay Arts and Events Centre, join in a celebration of our region's music talents and champions! Experience inspiring talks from advocates beyond our borders and captivating performances by our very own local artists. It's an opportunity to unite, celebrate, and showcase the vibrant music scene of our community as we kick off NZ Music Month in style.
Hosted by Backline Charitable Trust, supported by Toitoi Hawke's Bay Arts and Events Centre and funded by the NZ Music Commission.
Acoustic Showcase - Heretaunga Hastings Music Month
Celebrate the sounds of Hawke’s Bay in one of Hastings’ hidden gems. As part of HB Music Month, Opera Lane comes alive with stripped-back acoustic sets from some of our region’s most talented musicians. It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s right in the heart of the city. Come through, soak up the vibes, and support live local music under the stars.
Presented by Toitoi - Hawke's Bay Arts and Events Centre, Littlestone Productions, and Hastings District Council.
Heretaunga Hastings Music Trail - City Sessions
Music meets coffee, cocktails and shopping.
A curated journey through cafes, boutiques, and local hotspots where original music takes centre stage this May. Think of it as an art trail, but for your ears: a way to explore the city, discover new talent, and enjoy Hastings hospitality – all to the soundtrack of homegrown sound.
SATURDAY 10 MAY
CITY SESSIONS 11AM - 8PM
Spend the day exploring Hastings city centre – pop in for a coffee, browse your favourite retailers, and stumble upon live, original performances as you go. Each stop on the trail offers a unique sound, story, and artist to discover. Whether you’re café-hopping, indulging in some retail therapy, or enjoying an afternoon wine, there’s a soundtrack waiting for you.
View the map
Heretaunga Hastings Music Trail - Sunday Music Pop-Ups
SUNDAY 18 MAY
MUSIC POP UPS 11AM - 2PM
Perfect for Sunday brunch – experience local tunes and maybe discover a new favourite artist.
All Music Trail performances are FREE and all-ages. Follow the trail, support local, and enjoy the soundtrack of Hastings.
The Little Lane Party
Friday 23 May, 6 - 10pm
Opera Lane Hawke’s Bay Arts and Events Centre
Get ready to dance in the lane! The Little Lane Party transforms Opera Lane into a pop-up open-air club for one night only. Four local DJs—Lorenzo, Cashek, Lunaya and Lil’B—will be dropping house, hip hop, funk and disco beats all night long.
Grab a drink and a bite from nearby bars like Craft & Social, Cellar 495 or Cedrics, and join us behind Toitoi for a high-energy night of music, dancing and street-party vibes. Doors open at 5.30pm — entry via Hastings Street.
It’s local. It’s loud. It’s lit.
The Little Lane Party — don’t sleep on it. Tickets available now!
Arahi: Live at Decibel
Friday 23 May, 5.30pm
A short, sharp dose of live music and wine to ease you into the weekend. Friday nights at 5:30pm, we host intimate sessions in the wine shop — one artist, one set, done in under an hour. Come for a tasting, stay for the tunes, then head out for dinner or drift into the evening, no rush.
Opening the series is hometown hero Arahi — one of Aotearoa’s most exciting young songwriters. Originally from Napier, now based in Tāmaki Makaurau, Arahi delivers dreamy indie rock with a folk-blues heart, blending nostalgia with modern edge. His live sets are intimate, magnetic, and full of emotional punch — a perfect fit for our first wine shop session. Catch him up close, back where it all began.
The Unsung Heros - Brought to you by The Small Hall Sessions
Tour dates 22 - 25 May
Chris Priestley is a legend of the New Zealand music scene—a lifelong folk musician, songwriter, and co-founder of the iconic Real Groovy Records. With decades at the heart of festivals and live music, his passion project Unsung Heroes brings overlooked stories of Aotearoa’s colonial past to life.
Blending original songs, narration, and projected imagery, Unsung Heroes dives into shipwrecks, murders, bootleggers, and everyday heroes. Joined by a stellar cast—Nigel Gavin, Sonia Wilson, Cameron Bennett, and Peter Elliott—Chris brings this rich storytelling experience to heritage halls across Hawke's Bay, including Clive and Tutira. It’s history as you’ve never heard it—vibrant, dramatic, and deeply entertaining.
Richie Setford: Live at Decibel
Friday 30 May, 5.30pm
Ease into the weekend with another round of live music and wine. One artist, one set—wrapped up in under an hour. Drop in for a tasting, enjoy the tunes, then head off to dinner or simply let the evening unfold.
Richie Setford is a New Zealand based songwriter, vocalist and session player, going on 30 years in the bizzz. His songwriting is cinematic and affecting, mixing melancholy and pathos with absurd humour and surrealism. Richie has previously released music as Bannerman and Bliss Creek and with bands One Million Dollars, Batucada Sound Machine, Ziko, The Brood and Harmonie Fields