Tadpole Announce 25th Anniversary Shows For Iconic Album ‘The Buddhafinger’
Fresh off the back of their first new studio single in 19 years, Tadpole will celebrate the 25th anniversary of their landmark debut The Buddhafinger with a run of headline shows across Aotearoa – and the release of a special limited-edition double vinyl crafted especially for the occasion.
Released in 2000, The Buddhafinger launched Tadpole from the Auckland live circuit to national prominence – peaking at #2 on the Official NZ Top 40 Albums Chart, earning triple-platinum status and spending 46 weeks on the charts. The era-defining singles For Me, Backdoor and Alright powered the band to multiple NZ Music Awards nominations (Album, Single and Group of the Year), cementing their place in Kiwi rock history.
Reformed in 2024 and now led by powerhouse vocalist Lauren Marshall, Tadpole’s 2025 live show brings new fire to the band’s hook-heavy sound alongside original members Chris Yong (guitar) and Dean Lawton (drums), and turntablist DJ Kritikl. Their new single George – a bold reinvention of the Headless Chickens classic – reunites Tadpole with producer Malcolm Welsford and features mastering by Grammy-winner Ted Jensen, signalling a creative resurgence that’s both reverent and forward-looking.
“This isn’t just a trip down memory lane,” says guitarist Chris Yong. “It’s a celebration of where we’ve come from and where we’re going – bringing that early-2000s Tadpole energy into 2025.”
To mark the milestone, Tadpole will release a special 25th anniversary limited-edition double vinyl pressing of The Buddhafinger:
– Vinyl One – The Buddhafinger (Re-Ordered): the original studio album, re-sequenced by DJ Kritikl to amplify the album’s arc for the turntable.
– Vinyl Two – The Buddhafinger Bootleg: a live album captured on the original 2000 release tour, showcasing the band in peak, combustible form.
– Exclusive Digital Extras: purchasers receive access to a private trove of unreleased demos, remixes, and unplugged performances from The Buddhafinger era.
Pre-order details and retail partners will be announced shortly via tadpoleband.com and Tadpole’s official socials.
25 YEAR ANNIVERSARY SHOWS OF THE BUDDHAFINGER
Presented in partnership with The Rock and East-West Music & Events
Fri 26 Sept – The Rock 2000, Spark Arena, Auckland
Sat 25 Oct – Leigh Sawmill, Leigh
Fri 31 Oct – Parāoa Brewing Co, Whangaparāoa
Sat 1 Nov – The Butter Factory, Whangārei
Sun 16 Nov – The Church, Christchurch
Fri 28 Nov – Totara St, Mt Maunganui
Sat 29 Nov – NP Club, New Plymouth
Tickets: from Eventfinda.
The anniversary shows and double-vinyl edition offer fans a rare chance to experience the album that helped define a generation of New Zealand rock – reborn on stage and on wax, with the raw electricity of 2000 captured alongside Tadpole’s revitalised 2025 sound.
