Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters will perform a stadium show in New Zealand this summer. Photo/NZPA
Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters will perform a stadium show in New Zealand this summer. Photo/NZPA
Music fans are set for a bumper summer of music as a huge number of global chart-toppers get set to head our way.
American rapper Macklemore became the latest act to join the already packed summer tour schedule this week, after announcing he will be performing two shows in New Zealand in February.
Grammy-award winning artists The Weeknd, Bruno Mars, Drake, Jack Johnson and our very own Lorde are also set to perform at venues around the country between November and March.
Sir Paul McCartney is set to perform his first New Zealand show in 24 years, this summer. Photo/AP
As if that wasn't enough, The Foo Fighters, Ed Sheeran, Sia and Sir Paul McCartney - who will perform here for the first time in 24 years - have all announced they will be playing stadium shows at Mt Smart in Auckland.
Sheeran will also hit the stage at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin for three of his six stadium shows on our shores.
Co-founder of Eccles Entertainment booking agency and concert promoter Brent Eccles said this summer's line-up was "crazy".
"It's probably the biggest summer we've had ever. And the [concerts] are all selling out so it's amazing."
Ed Sheeran is set to play six stadium shows in New Zealand in March. Photo/Supplied
Last summer, Regional Facilities Auckland had one of the most successful outdoor concert seasons ever, with artists like Adele, Justin Bieber, Guns N' Roses, Bruce Springsteen and Coldplay boosting Auckland's economy by $37.7 million.
RFA chief executive Chris Brooks said this year's line-up looked set to deliver another impressive outdoor concert season.
"Auckland ranks among the world's top entertainment cities when it comes to shows by major touring artists and international festivals."
Brooks said more concert announcements were expected in the coming weeks.
Tickets to Lorde's New Zealand shows, which are part of her Melodrama World Tour, have all sold out - most within minutes of going on sale.
Lorde will perform six intimate shows at Dunedin's Town Hall, Christchurch's Isaac Theatre Royal, Wellington's Michael Fowler Centre and Auckland's Powerstation, in November.
Kiwi pop star Lorde will perform six sold-out shows in New Zealand in November. Photo/David Becker/Getty Images
Eccles said there were a number of reasons so many major artists have announced New Zealand shows.
"People are buying tickets. It's a pretty simple equation for a promoter - if you think the market's going to react well then you will put shows on and New Zealand is a strong market."
Eccles also said artists have to play live to make a decent living these days as they aren't making as much money from recording music as they used to.
Other major acts scheduled to hit Kiwi stages before Christmas included Cat Stevens, Khalid, The Chainsmokers, Human League, Migos, J Cole, Stevie Nicks, Angus and Julia Stone and Harry Styles.
Katy Perry, Robbie Williams, Fall Out Boy, James Blunt, The Killers, Roger Waters, The National, the Foo Fighters, Weezer, Lionel Richie and Queen with Adam Lambert are all scheduled for the new year.
November Drake: Auckland Nov 3. Lorde: Dunedin Nov 7; Christchurch Nov 8-9; Wellington Nov 11; Auckland Nov 12, 14, 15. Khalid: Auckland Nov 12. Stevie Nicks: Auckland Nov 21. The Weeknd: Auckland Nov 29. December J Cole: Auckland Dec 1. Harry Styles: Auckland Dec 2. Sia: Auckland Dec 5 Human League: Auckland Dec 6. Jack Johnson: Auckland Dec 10. Cat Stevens: Auckland Dec 13-14; New Plymouth, Dec 16; Christchurch, Dec 19. Angus and Julia Stone: Auckland Dec 15. Sir Paul McCartney: Auckland Dec 16.
