5 days ago
Dunedin Alt-Rockers IVY Announce Debut Album Hush And A Co-Headlining Nationwide Tour With The Beatniks
Word has spread fast about Aotearoa alt-rockers IVY - the charismatic five-piece, which has spent the last few years honing their craft in the rehearsal spaces, bars and venues of Dunedin.
Now comes the exciting news that the five-piece will be releasing their highly-anticipated debut album HUSH on September 12.
To celebrate the milestone, IVY will be taking their distinctive blend of alt-rock, post-grunge, post-punk and shoegaze to the people of Aotearoa on their first nationwide headline tour, kicking off in Dunedin at Pearl Diver on October 3 and then an all ages show at Pearl Diver on October 5; then Wellington at Meow on October 9, Auckland at Double Whammy on October 11, finishing up in Christchurch at Wunderbar on October 17.
IVY will be joined on the 5-date Aotearoa tour by another exciting Ōtepoti indie band, The Beatniks - a band soaked with surf-grunge intensity and highly-captivating performance.
The Beatniks currently have #1 SRN radio single, 'Another Day', and have their EP set for release on September 12. The Beatniks are a must-see live band and have appeared at festivals including Rhythm & Alps and the Dunedin Craft Beer and Food Festival.
The exciting tour news and IVY album announcement comes on the back of confirmation that IVY will be performing at this year's Going Global in Auckland - a conference attended by industry leaders from around the world and a festival, with a line-up that includes some of the hottest new names in Aotearoa music.
IVY - made up of James Axton, Jesse Hanan, Ocean Temple Wilson, Louis Stevenson, Connor Cooper - has well and truly earned their place as one of New Zealand's most exciting new acts. The band's energy is palpable and shines through on their recently released single ' Loon ', which also gives 'day one' fans a taste of what to expect on the upcoming album HUSH, while also piquing the interest of a whole new wave of IVY supporters.
Velvet The Label presents… The Beatniks and IVY
Friday October 3 - Pearl Diver, Dunedin
Sunday October 5 - Pearl Diver, Dunedin - All Ages
Saturday October 9 - Meow, Wellington
Saturday October 11 - Double Whammy, Auckland
Friday October 17 - Wunderbar, Christchurch
About IVY:
From the southern shadows of Ōtepoti, IVY has emerged with something rare: a sound that aches, soars, and pulses with the weight of everything unsaid. Five musicians, sharp with intent and unafraid to feel deeply, have quietly become one of the most arresting live acts in Aotearoa. Dark, intricate, and cinematic, IVY 's music lives in the space between grief and euphoria - where interesting compositions flirt with pop hooks, and poetic lyrics cut through the noise like a flare in the fog. At its heart is a voice that doesn't just sing, but haunts.
In just two years, IVY have carved out a name for themselves across New Zealand stages and festivals - from Burning Horse to Snow Machine, Southern Sound s to a sold-out South Island tour. Their performance with the 26-piece Dunedin Youth Orchestra at the Dunedin Arts Festival was a spine-tingling apex: a full original set, orchestrated by Anthony Ritchie and Maddy Parkins-Craig, that left the room breathless and glowing.
With over 300,000 streams, 10,000+ ticket sales, and SRN's 2024 People's Choice Award under their belt, IVY aren't just 'one to watch' - they're the quiet storm rolling in. Their debut album and nationwide tour are on the horizon.
About The Beatniks:
Known for their electrifying and engaging live performances, The Beatniks have quickly become a 'must see' in the Aotearoa New Zealand music scene and acknowledged for perpetuating whilst redefining the ' Dunedin Sound '.
Formed in 2021, as university students, they first grabbed New Zealand's attention after making headlines for infamously holding an underground gig at the abandoned Dunedin music venue 'Sammy's', as a rebellion against a string of council-regulated venue closures. The band's attempts at resurrecting NZ's live music scene led to their role as protagonists in the documentary series ' Tribal: Inside NZ's underground music scene'. The Beatniks garnered further attention in 2022, being featured in the Abbey Road Studios World Music Photography Competition, as finalists in the 'Undiscovered' category. This has seen The Beatniks acquire a loyal fan base and media attention before having any released material.
Their 2023 self produced, debut album ARCHETYPE spent multiple months on NZ student radio charts, and since its release the band have been continuing to build their fan base playing large scale festivals such as Rhythm & Alps and the Dunedin Craft Beer and Food Festival in 2024. They have a new single 'Another Day' out now and an EP on the way.
