Unknown Mortal Orchestra and Nadia Reid among lineup for Auckland New Year's festival

Wondergarden, a music festival in downtown Auckland, is set to return for its second year this New Year’s Eve.

Held at Silo Park, the festival boasts a variety of local and returning ex-pat acts, spanning psych-rock, yacht-rock, hip-hop, folk, and soul.

Punters can watch the Sky Tower fireworks from the site, bring the family, then go home to their own beds.

Headliners announced this morning include:

Nadia Reid

The singer songwriter from Port Chalmers has found huge acclaim in NZ and overseas, earning rave reviews from critics for her second album Preservation (sitting at 84% on review aggregator Metacritic). Pairing her soothing voice with occasionally heartrending lyrics, she’s a true local treasure.

Here she is performing the title track of her critically-acclaimed album Preservation:

Unknown Mortal Orchestra

This will be the only North Island show for the Portland-based psych rockers helmed by ex-Mint Chick Ruban Neilson. It’s been almost two years since their last album Multi-Love came out, so we’re hoping to hear previews of some new songs alongside our old favourites.

Here’s the last time we caught them live

Chelsea Jade

Back from her current base of Los Angeles, Chelsea Jade (Watercolours, Teacups) has embraced her love of pure pop on her latest work. Her debut record will be out by the time she takes the stage at Wondergarden, and we’re looking forward to seeing what she brings live.

Here’s an interview we recorded with her a few weeks ago

SWIDT

Combining their local rhymes with world-class production, SWIDT have come in swinging with a fresh burst of energy in the local hip-hop scene. It’s contagious live.

Check out our visit to their Onehunga studio here

The Ruby Suns

Californian-New Zealander, Ryan McPhun has been making a family in Norway for the last few years. (You can hear all about that journey here)

He’s just released a new album ‘Sprite Fountain’ which Nick Bollinger says is “exotic and strange” and reminds him of both Brian Wilson and Todd Rundgren with some tropicalia thrown in.

Also on the bill are Auckland's yacht-rock five-piece Leisure; 2016's VNZMA best male solo artist and electronic pop producer MAALA, Australian hip hop prodigy REMI, neo-soul songstress Bailey Wiley, and LA-based pop producer Boyboy.

"Wondergarden is for those of us who are avoiding the mass exodus out-of-town over that New Year period,' says festival director Reuben Bonner, "Auckland tends to empty out a little, and it's a pretty dreamy time to enjoy [it] for the people who stick around.

"We're here to provide a party with an incredible soundtrack for Aucklanders, and anyone else who finds themselves visiting our fair city to usher in 2018."

Earlybird tickets go on sale at 9am, September 6th from the festival website with adult, children, and infant passes available.

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