8th Wonder Unveils Lineup For Inaugural Rotorua Festival
8th Wonder – a new boutique festival of Sound & Culture – is set to make its debut in Rotorua this January, with the lineup confirmed for the debut installment.
Launching in Rotorua and Brisbane, 8th Wonder is a new one-day festival bringing together leading artists from across Aotearoa, Australia and the wider Pacific. Built around reggae, roots, soul, dub, R&B, and contemporary Indigenous sounds, 8th Wonder is designed as a celebration of music, culture, place and connection.
8th Wonder – A Festival of Sound & Culture
Saturday January 23, 2027 @ Village Green, Rotorua
Saturday January 30, 2027 @ Eatons Hill Outdoors, Brisbane
Tickets on sale at 12pm, Friday July 3 at 8thwonder.live
8th Wonder will take place at the Village Green in Rotorua, on the shores of Lake Rotorua. Located at the feet of Eat Street in the centre of Rotorua, 8th Wonder will showcase the incredible destination alongside some of the best music from Aotearoa and beyond.
8th Wonder Brisbane will take place at the newly expanded Eatons Hill Outdoor Precinct, a spectacular new festival destination set amongst towering trees on the former Eatons Hill Golf Course, just north of Brisbane. Spanning 14 hectares, it provides the perfect backdrop for world-class music in one of Queensland’s most exciting entertainment venues.
The all-ages event (Under 18’s to be accompanied by parent or legal guardian) will provide an opportunity for everyone to enjoy the power of live music, and embrace the elements of our culture that make Rotorua truly one-of-a-kind. Under 5s free with a paying adult.
With more hotel nights than any regional destination in New Zealand and a vision of becoming an entirely bilingual city, Rotorua is the perfect home for 8th Wonder. The festival aims to celebrate te ao Māori, showcase the region’s unique identity and create a welcoming experience for everyone.
Led by L.A.B, the 8th Wonder lineup celebrates the best of New Zealand music across generations. From legendary artists who have shaped the nation’s sound to today’s biggest names and tomorrow’s rising stars, the festival brings together an extraordinary collection of talent. With one Sir and two Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit among the artists, 8th Wonder features a collection of artists who have dedicated their lives to sharing New Zealand music around the globe.
8th Wonder features an eclectic mix of artists including:
L.A.B
Te Wehi
Sir Dave Dobbyn
Aaradhna
Betty-Anne (voice of Ardijah)
Che Fu & The Kratez
Corrella
The Elovaters (USA)
Ladi6
Son & Water
Supported by RotoruaNZ, 8th Wonder comes from Loop, the team behind music, culture, festivals and live shows across Australasia for more than 20 years. 8th Wonder is being created with the goal of continuing on the ethos started with the first Loop compilations from the early 2000’s – taking the best music from Aotearoa to the world. The lineup combines festival favourites and true legends alongside some of the brightest talent from Aotearoa and beyond.
The lineup combines a range of acts that not only honours the legacy of Kiwi music, featuring multiple-time Hall of Famers, but also captures the current heavy-hitters and the future wave.
8th Wonder will expand the festival experience with a range of stalls and installments on the boardwalk alongside Lake Rotorua. The team at Little Big Events and Lucky Star will bring a range of food vendors and stall holders from across the Bay of Plenty to the event.
“We’re really excited to be a part of 8th Wonder. It’s been over 10 years since L.A.B played our first festival, and in that time we’ve been lucky enough to play at festivals across the world. We think this lineup and what 8th Wonder is going to offer is going to be a really special day out. There’s not many festivals where you can bring your kids along, and whānau is a really key part of L.A.B, so for this to be all ages means it’s going to be magic.” – Joel Shadbolt, L.A.B.
“8th Wonder has been built as an artist-led festival from day one. We wanted to create the kind of event we’d love to go to ourselves – incredible music, room to breathe, artists you can actually get close to, and a day that feels welcoming for everyone. It’s boutique by design, and we think that will make it something really special.” – Michael Tucker, Loop.
“Loop’s 8th Wonder is a welcome addition to Rotorua’s events calendar. Rotorua has a proud history of hosting great live music, and an outdoor festival of this calibre is a natural fit for our destination. The event will bring visitors into the region, generating economic benefits for local businesses while showcasing Rotorua to new audiences and reinforcing our reputation as a leading destination for world-class experiences.” – Andrew Wilson, CEO RotoruaNZ.
The annual festival will bring an unforgettable day of Sound & Culture to the Lakes District.
Be there for history as 8th Wonder announces itself as a must-see addition to the summer calendar. Presented by Loop, thanks to Kirin Hyoketsu, Go Media, RotoruaNZ and Mai FM.
8th Wonder – Sound & Culture
L.A.B / Sir Dave Dobbyn / Te Wehi
Aaradhna / Betty-Anne (voice of Ardijah) / Che Fu & The Kratez
Corrella / The Elovaters (USA) / Ladi6 / Son & Water
Saturday January 23, 2027 @ Village Green, Rotorua
Saturday January 30, 2027 @ Eatons Hill Outdoors, Brisbane
Tickets on sale at 12pm, Friday July 3 at 8thwonder.live
