Rock the Bowl is returning to the iconic Bowl of Brooklands on 29 December, bringing a massive lineup of international stars and homegrown favourites to New Plymouth.
Headlining the fourth edition of the summer festival are Aotearoa dub legends Fat Freddy's Drop and global house and techno DJ Carl Cox. They will be joined by Australian surf-rockers Ocean Alley, Auckland indie act NO CIGAR and rising Kiwi band Coast Arcade.
The event has quickly cemented itself as a staple of the Taranaki summer calendar. New Plymouth Mayor Max Brough says the festival highlights the ability of the city to host world-class entertainment.
"Events like Rock the Bowl play an important role in making New Plymouth a vibrant place to live, work and visit," Brough says. "Seeing thousands of people having a great time at the Bowl is a great reminder of the value these events bring to our community, local businesses and the wider economy."
Fat Freddy's Drop will bring their signature blend of reggae, soul and electronic music back to the region, drawing on a loyal fanbase that spans generations.
Meanwhile, electronic music fans will have a rare opportunity to see Carl Cox in a regional setting. The British DJ has spent more than three decades headlining major global festivals.
Australian six-piece Ocean Alley are returning after a successful performance at the inaugural event in 2023. Auckland five-piece NO CIGAR and Coast Arcade round out the bill, offering a strong alternative rock presence.
New Plymouth District Council event attraction and business development lead Neil Fenwick says the festival continues to grow in scale and popularity.
"What started as a new addition to the Taranaki summer calendar has quickly grown into an event people look forward to year after year," Fenwick says. "Rock the Bowl has built a reputation for bringing together outstanding artists in a venue unlike any other in New Zealand. This year's lineup is one of our strongest yet, and we're looking forward to welcoming music fans back to New Plymouth in December for what will be an unforgettable event."
The festival is supported by the New Plymouth Major Events Fund, facilitated by Te Puna Umanga Venture Taranaki. General manager of destination Janet Reynolds notes the wider regional benefits.
"This packed lineup is expected to draw numerous locals and visitors alike to the iconic Bowl of Brooklands venue, generating economic impact across the region as festival-goers explore all that Taranaki has to offer," Reynolds says.
Tickets will be available from August 20th at 7pm.
