The Next Generation of NZ Folk-Comedy play Wellington this November

Alternative-folk band Banjo Ben and the Breeze make their San Fran headlining debut on Thursday, November 12th. A self-proclaimed “folk band on steroids,” Banjo Ben & The Breeze are a Pōneke-based 5-piece group, striving to craft a mature and adept sound that remains playful and radically humorous. The band have always stretched the label of folk music to include genres like dance and pop, but on November 12th, the comedy group will display their most ambitious, high-energy, genre-bending performance to date.

It’s been a busy year for Banjo Ben and The Breeze, with festival sets at CubaDupa, Newtown Fest, and the Make A Move Gig Series, along with performances all around Wellington including their Eyegum Free Wednesday, The Wellington Bluegrass Society, & The Battle of the Banjos (with Folk-Punk icons Bottom Bunk Club). Additionally, the band have been in the studio with sound engineer Thomas Clark (Middle Island, Jack Bromwich), recording some of their 2025 material, including their debut single Umbrella released in August. Despite the band’s busy schedule, over the course of the year, Banjo Ben and The Breeze have found the time to write a large collection of new material that they’re itching to share with Wellington City.

With over 15 instruments in their arsenal (including synth, mandolin, violin, and jaw harp), this crew of Wellington musicians (along with some surprise special guests!) have crafted a signature sound that is truly like no other. Expect absurd comedy and high-energy dance-floor-focused instrumentals, carefully balanced with softer, more restrained and vulnerable folk-comedy songs. From synth-driven prog-rock pieces to theatrically moving math-rock-inspired tunes, the band playfully presents the growth of their repertoire in a magnificent stage show.

Theatricality lies at the heart of Banjo Ben and The Breeze’s music. Their lead singer and lyricist, “Banjo Ben”, is a current theatre student at Victoria University of Wellington and is constantly weaving his theatrical influence into the band’s music. With primarily story-oriented music, their quirky lyrics are an integral part of the band’s sound; even their most delicate and emotional songs humorously play with the audience’s expectations. With storytelling that requires such a playful delivery, the band provides hugely expressive and flexible instrumentation to match the highs and lows of the lyrical content.

On November 12th, Banjo Ben and The Breeze are joined by Shoegaze Dream-pop duo Laluna, who make their San Fran debut with their live band. Laluna presents a range of electronically inspired, emotionally charged pieces that bring a dreamy and ethereal yet strikingly energetic quality to the line-up. The evening is then further uplifted by local acoustic band Middle Island with an intimate and captivating performance of alt-folk music. They present rich harmonies and driving country-inspired grooves that display an expert approach to musical storytelling.

Tickets are live now and are selling fast,

You can find $15 tickets for Banjo Ben & The Breeze’s November 12th gig at Moshtix.co.nz or at Sanfran.co.nz. Door sales are also available for $20.