Our Entertainment Lineup
BEERVANA IS A VIBE!
In 2025 we're bringing you a biggest, boldest and most vaired lineup of musicians, bands and roving theatrical performers we've ever had!
We've got live bands across two themed stages that will switch genres from the day sessions into the night sessions. The day sessions will feature a Folk & Americana stage and a World Music stage before transforming into a in the night sessisons into a more upbeat danceable vibes on the Ska'n'Roll and Alt Stages.
With our Roving Threatrical Performers you should expect the unexpected and try not to freak out when you turn the corner to find...
LIVE MUSIC
STAGE ONE
DAY SESSIONS: WORLD MUSIC
Sam Manzanza And Afrobeat Band
Sam Manzanza & Afrobeat Band deliver high-energy performances that blend infectious African rhythms, Afrobeat, ska, and tribal beats into one explosive live experience. With roots in the National Ballet of Zaire and decades of international performances, Sam brings authenticity, soul, and a powerful message of unity to every stage. Singing in English, French, and Lingala, his band’s vibrant sound and colourful presence get crowds moving and spirits lifted. Experience the Manzanza Sound—music that makes you dance, feel, and celebrate life.
The Cosmonauts
The Cosmonauts are a world music quartet consisting of accordion, trumpet, upright bass and Manouche (Gypsy Jazz) acoustic guitar. playing songs from Southern and Eastern Europe as well as top tapping originals. They are a staple of the Wellington music scene and a well sort after festival group.
Rio Trio
Rio-Trio are a staple in the Wellington music diet. Since 2014 they have been delighting local audiences with the music of Brazil. Expect to hear Samba, Bossa Nova, Baião, Choro and more. Featuring; Bryn van Vliet - Flute/Saxophone, Felicien Houet - Guitar, Taciano Milfont - Percussion
NIGHT SESSIONS: SKA'N'ROLL
Ska Pai
Poneke based Ska Pai skilfully weave witty stories of NZ life fused with punk and the infectious rhythms of ska. Mixing original material and a few classics, their vibrant horns, driving guitars and irresistible grooves, bring an explosive and unique sound to the stage.
Finn Johansson
Pōneke's prodigal son Finn Johansson returns to play his favourite covers from the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and today. Expect epic guitar solos, iconic singalongs and a formidable rhythm section. Finn is just out of the recording studio, so expect a muscular performance with a lot of really cool bits.
Dónal Gunning & The Bucks
Dónal (Dough-null) Gunning is an Irish Musician originally from Dublin now based in Wellington. He draws on rock, folk, indie and punk influences.
Dónal knows how to work the crowd and brings a fun, energetic, intangible Irish charm to his performances. His lyrics are thought-provoking and his sound is powerfully unique. He is accompanied by his bandmates The Bucks.
STAGE TWO
DAY SESSIONS: FOLK & AMERICANA
T-Bone Trio
Get ready to tap your toes with T-BONE Trio, a lively band merging zydeco, old-time, and blues. With talented musicians on mandolins, banjos, and guitars, their harmonies and energy will bring out your hillbilly side! Their debut album “Good ‘n Greasy” soared to No. 2 on NZ charts, and their sold-out tour proved their magic on stage. Winners of the Tui for Best Folk Artist 2023, these lads are guaranteed to dazzle and have you dancing all night long!
The Wooden Box Band
The Wooden Box Band is an urban folk group that has a long history of energetic live performances and making albums of original songs. Their lively sound features many soaring harmonies over guitars, bass and percussion. The frontline of Jessie Moss, Emily Clement and Paddy Burgin also produces bursts of trumpet, fiddle and harmonica to augment their sound. They have many albums under their belts and their latest, Broken River, has recently been launched to great reviews. For Beervana they will be introducing more covers into their set from the likes of Bonnie Rait, Bob Dylan and Alison Krauss.
Bill Hickman's Deadly Sins
Bill Hickman is an intense, lyrical singer/songwriter from Wellington. A long serving stalwart of New Zealand stages, Bill has been a member of The Shot Band, Parcel of Rogues and King Lazy and played as a soloist all over the country and further abroad. A self described ‘folkie with a chip on his shoulder’ Bill’s songs run the gamut from murder and outlaws to love and gratitude. Bill's gravel dragged voice and country inflected acoustic guitar are backed by Adam Crawford (Shark vs Lion) on drums, Dusty Burnell (T-Bone) on mandolin and string things and Tom Joass on bass.
STAGE TWO - NIGHT SESSIONS - ALT
TWANGMAN!
TWANGMAN! provide a raw selection of some of the tangiest and twangiest retro rock n' roll, blues and surf-rock treats, lead by six-stringer Tyson Smith and featuring local rhythm-section legends Darren Mathiassen and Johnny Lawrence.
Weka
Based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington, New Zealand, Weka are true sonic adventurers. Combining unique timbres with pulsing bass and punching drums, Weka’s instrumental electronic sound is diverse and thought provoking, urging audiences to dance uninhibitedly. Inspired by the likes of the Chemical Brothers, Bonobo, The Prodigy and Massive Attack, Weka will take you on a journey, from downbeat and post rock, through to techno and world inspired music. In 2025 Weka pressed ahead, with a string of festival shows in the summer and an album in the works for release ready for a national tour in 2025/26 summer.
Zuke
Zuke is the electronic music side of Ed Zuccollo. You might find him lurking on the Hidden Reef of Shipwrecked Festival, or stubbornly playing his old synth on the Te Kanikani stage at Splore, refusing to believe they've made any improvements in the area since 1970. Sure he may make his tunes under a tree, in a moving car, or in a backstage area before the gig, but one thing is for sure - now is now, and then was now but now it's old news, and old news sounds both old and new - probably because of the words used to describe it.
ROVING & THEATRICAL
Timaru Associated Stunt Association
The Timaru Associated Stunt Association are making travel plans to get to Beervana as safely as possible. Packing themselves inside a pallet and freighting north for a stop in welly for the beernanza that is beervana. Directly after head to palmy for the “palmerston North 2025 Dump Jump” were they will be jumping the dump. Mechanical issues have meant its been tough times for the association but they assure us that they will be fighting fit for Beervana. To team due to professionalism don't drink whilst on duty. But have assured us they might swing a few shandys.
Max Pucker (stuntman) on behalf of TASA they has issued an official statement saying “We are gonna be there on time hopefully, as long as the ferry is running”.
The Giant
Fe fi fo fum.... Towering over the people of Beervana, legend tells that The Giant was once an ordinary girl... who fell into a vat of growth hormones at the Tegel factory. Straight out of a kids book? Science fiction freak? Or victim of corporate agriculture? Either way, she will definitely pose for photos and *might* just grind your bones to make her bread.
Red Carpet Reporters
A cameraman, a fashionista and a portable red carpet are reporting live on all the iconic looks, poses and who's wearing who. Capturing every major fashion moment for Beervana TV, expect full Hollywood attitude on a Johnsonville budget! You serve the looks and we serve the glamorous appreciation. YES DARLING!
Pony Club
Giddy up! Beervana has a brand new Pony Club and you're all invited to join. These pretty ponies do tricks, ride in formation and love pats. They'll gallop away with your girlfriend but who can blame her? I'm gonna keep on dancing at THIS pink pony club and you will too. Saddle up for this mane event!
