New Zealand Named Lead Country Partner for The Great Escape

The Great Escape will feature performances by some of the finest acts from Aotearoa this year.

The New Zealand Music Commission and Live Nation New Zealand today announced a landmark partnership naming New Zealand as the Lead Country Partner for the 20th anniversary of the beloved English festival, with support from the Ministry for Culture and Heritage and The British Council.

As Lead Country Partner, New Zealand will host an exclusive industry panel, high-level networking events to promote NZ music worldwide, and a dedicated takeover of the iconic Brighton venue Patterns on Thursday, May 14th, featuring curated showcases of Kiwi acts.

The 2026 NZ delegation features Ringlets, Office Dog, Ratbag, Hemi Hemingway, and Jude Kelly, in addition to the newly announced Luca George, Muroki, Vera Ellen, WHO SHOT SCOTT and LEAO. These 10 acts will perform alongside over 130 international acts.

Alan Holt, International Manager for the New Zealand Music Commission, shares: “I am thrilled for New Zealand to be the lead country at The Great Escape in 2026. The Great Escape has always been a significant part of the New Zealand Music Commission's international activities and has consistently been a joy to attend both from a networking/showcasing perspective and as a place to experience fantastic music.

"Over the past few years we have proudly supported artists like Aldous Harding, The Beths, DARTZ, LEISURE, NO CIGAR, and Teeks — to name just a handful — and this year we along with Live Nation New Zealand look forward to introducing the world to a new and sparkling collection of some of the best new music NZ has to offer!”

Mark Kneebone, MD of Live Nation Aotearoa, adds: “We’re stoked to be teaming up with the NZ Music Commission for the 20th anniversary of the Great Escape festival. Live Nation is about more than just putting on shows - it’s about being a genuine part of the local scene and helping our artists break through on the world stage.

"This partnership is a massive opportunity to give Kiwi talent a global platform, while also bringing that international energy back home to keep the local industry inspired and growing."

"I'm honoured to be a part of this year's Great Escape. Performing live is undoubtedly the purest and most fun form of my art, I'm looking forward to bringing the show to the UK this May," says Jude Kelly.