The largest street festival in Aotearoa is back! Featuring a range of acts and activities from street performers and circus acts to food vendors and art installations, be prepared for a weekend of fun-filled activities in Wellington from 23 – 24 Mar 2024. If you’re excited to catch the performances but are unsure of which one to go for, we have curated a list of top 10 best performances to catch in Cubadupa 2024!

Photo source: @birdlifeproductions3

1. Birdlife Productions

Dive into the world of puppetry with Birdlife Productions and their newest work, ‘The Auguries of Innocence’, where stories come alive through original, hand-made puppets, roaming masks and music. The play is suitable for young children, so grab your kids along with you to enjoy this puppet show.

Photo source: @dizzyodare

2. Dizzy O’Dare

Throw in some balloons, a theatrical experience and a 1980s soundtrack and you have the Giant Balloon Show by Dizzy O’Dare. Designed for families and children alike, this award-winning performer will have you entertained and in a continuous fit of laughter throughout the show!

Photo source: @shepherdsreign

3. Shepherds Reign

If you’re a lover of hard metal music, you would love Shepherds Reign, a 5-piece metal band with roots from Samoa, New Zealand and Asia. With their expertise in blending metal music with Pacific mana, they have won multiple awards at Pacific Music Awards in 2021 and 2022, making them a must-watch item!

Photo source: @whoshotscott @cnrpr @sniffersmag

4. WHO SHOT SCOTT

Blending alternative hip hop with bold lyrics, WHO SHOT SCOTT stands out as an experimental hip hop artist endowed with a distinctive charm. Be sure to catch his explosive rap skills and electrifying musicality at Cubadupa this year!

Photo source: @ambahollysings @moments.productions

5. Amba Holly

Specializing in Māori Soul music, Amba Holly is a multiple award-winning artist with a captivating voice and alluring musical sense. Having won awards like the ‘Best Female Solo Artist’ in 2017 and ‘Best Female Solo Artist’ in 2019 at the Waiata Māori Music Awards, she is an artist that is not to be missed!

Photo source: @wearefoley @francescarter

6. Foley

Comprising multi-instrumentalists and vocalists Ash Wallace and Gabriel Everett, Foley stands as a dynamic pop music duo. Recognized with two Aotearoa Music Award nominations, their captivating blend of addictive, energetic beats and velvety vocals ensures a mesmerizing performance that will leave you yearning for more.

Photo source: @revulvamusic @pearlmckennedy

7. Revulva

Revulva is an eight-piece funk band forming a melting pot of jazz, pop and soul. Since releasing their debut EP “Girl’s Gotta Eat” in 2022, they have garnered rave reactions for their music and have since been one of the core performers in multiple music festivals. Be sure to catch them in action this year!

Photo source: @mohiallen @des.nielsen

8. MOHI

Another group blending traditional Māori elements into their music is MOHI, a dynamic 7-piece band combining ancient taonga with urban neo-soul, pop and funk. With their captivating tunes, electrifying beats and soulful vocals, be prepared to dance or sing along to their electrifying performance.

Photo source: @losttribeaotearoa @lifelikefilmnz

9. Lost Tribe Aotearoa

If you’re not feeling soul or pop, you can count on Lost Tribe Aotearoa to elevate your spirits with their invigorating performance skillfully combining roots, dub, rock, ska, and blues. Sip on a drink or two and groove along to the rhythm as you immerse yourself in their captivating music.

Photo source: @itswarrenduncan @siposetuduncan

10. Warren Duncan & Zamalek

Featuring soulful yet energetic Amapiano music, Warren Duncan & Zamalek brings the sounds from the streets of Mzansi South Africa to Wellington in a lively and upbeat performance.

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