Gig Review: Che Fu @ BNZ Theatre, Hamilton – 18/10/2026

It was a beautiful Sunday night in Kirikiriroa Hamilton, and the BNZ Theatre was the perfect setting for the final show of Che Fu’s ten-stop Navigator 25th anniversary tour.

As people started making their way into the theatre, they were welcomed by the iconic King Kapisi, who took on both DJ and MC duties for the evening. It was a fairly chilled start, and you never quite know what kind of crowd you’re going to get on a Sunday night. But King Kapisi did his thing, gradually warming everyone up before Che Fu and the crew took to the stage.

And once they got going, what a night it was.

Celebrating 25 years of Navigator, this show was a reminder of just how much these songs mean to people. Che Fu’s music has been part of the soundtrack to so many lives, mine included, and hearing these tracks live again, with such an incredible group of musicians behind him, was something special.

One of the coolest things about the whole show was seeing Che Fu perform alongside his son, Loxmyn McDonald-Ness, who featured on the original Navigator artwork as a young child. Twenty-five years later, they’re sharing the stage together. How cool is that?

The band was absolutely on point. The Kratez were incredibly tight, and the music sounded huge without losing what makes those original tracks so good. The Brass Knuckles, a three-piece brass section, added so much to the arrangements, bringing another level of energy and depth to the sound.

There were so many talented musicians on stage, but Malcolm Lakatani was someone I kept finding myself watching. Effortlessly cool and completely in his element, he was a real standout. Loxmyn was equally impressive, and his musicianship and solos were some of my favourite parts of the show. It was awesome seeing him hold his own up there alongside such an experienced group of musicians.

You could also see how much thought had gone into the production. Huge tapa cloths created a beautiful backdrop, bringing a strong Pacific feel to the stage. The band started the night in predominantly black suits before changing into outfits that fitted the Navigator theme for the second half. The staging, synchronised movements and transitions all added to the experience.

It’s easy to focus on the music at a concert, but the little details really made this show. Everything felt well thought out, and it was clear there had been a lot of work put into bringing it all together.

And then there were the guests.

Having Aaradhna join the show was an absolute treat. She featured on tracks including Spin One, Downtime and Wake Up, alongside They Don’t Know and Forever Love. Watching her perform live is something else. Her voice is incredible, and she has this way of being completely captivating without having to do too much.

At one point, Che Fu described listening to Aaradhna as being like listening to an angel in real life. Honestly, it’s hard to disagree with him. Her voice is so effortless, and there’s something about watching her perform that makes you want to stop and take it all in. Every time she came on stage, she brought something special to the show.

Betty-Anne from Ardijah was another highlight. Often referred to as the queen of South Pacific music, she has a presence about her that you understand as soon as she steps on stage. With her ukulele in hand, she brought so much warmth and soul to the performance. She’s an artist who carries so much history and mana, and having her share the stage with Che Fu and Aaradhna made the evening even better.

Of course, King Kapisi wasn’t just there to get the crowd going at the start. He’s a pioneer in his own right and has played a huge part in shaping music in Aotearoa. When Screems from da Old Plantation came through, you could feel the response from the crowd. People were right there with him, and it was one of those moments that reminded you just how much these artists and their music have contributed to our musical history.

Having all these artists together on one stage was pretty special. They each have their own place in the story of Aotearoa and Pacific music, and seeing them come together to celebrate Che Fu and Navigator felt like a genuine acknowledgement of the people who have helped shape the sound of this country.

Che Fu’s catalogue is full of songs that have stood the test of time, and there were plenty of highlights throughout the night.

Hearing Misty Frequencies live was beautiful. Che Fu’s vocal range was seriously impressive, particularly when he hit those higher notes. Twenty-five years on, the song still sounds incredible, and it was a reminder of just how good that music is.

Chains was another standout for me. The band gave it a funky, reworked arrangement that brought a completely different feel to the song. It was familiar, but there were new layers and textures that made it exciting to hear again. I love it when artists can revisit their own music and bring something different to it without losing what made the original so good.

But one of my personal highlights was Sitting Inside My Head.

I remember listening to that song on repeat as a kid, and I’m pretty sure this was the first time I’d heard it performed live. There’s something pretty cool about hearing a song you grew up with in a room full of people who have their own memories attached to it. For a moment, you’re taken straight back to being a kid, remembering where you were and what that song meant to you.

That was probably one of the biggest things I took away from the night. These songs aren’t just tracks on an album. They’ve been part of people’s lives for 25 years, and everyone in that room will have their own connection to them. Getting to hear them live, surrounded by other people who know every word and feel the same nostalgia, is a pretty special experience.

It was also a timely reminder of Che Fu’s impact on music in Aotearoa. Earlier this year, he was inducted into the Aotearoa Music Hall of Fame, recognising a career that has helped shape the sound of New Zealand music. Watching him perform a catalogue like this, you can understand why his music has continued to resonate with so many people.

By the time the show had found its rhythm, the crowd was right there with them. What started as a fairly relaxed Sunday evening had turned into a room full of people singing along, appreciating the music and enjoying the chance to see these artists together.

For me, it was the combination of everything that made the night work. The musicianship was outstanding, the production looked great, and the guests added so much to the show. But more than anything, it was hearing songs that have been around for 25 years and realising just how good they still sound.

Che Fu’s music has been part of growing up in Aotearoa for so many of us. Getting to hear it live, with an incredible band and some of the country’s most respected artists alongside him, was a pretty special way to celebrate Navigator.

A great night in Kirikiriroa, and a reminder that some music never really leaves you.

Photo Credit: Lachie Holt