Tour news: New metal show Westfest to hit Auckland

Jonathan Davis from Korn, one of the headlining acts for new Auckland metal festival Westfest. Photo / AP

The promoter behind a new two-day metal festival featuring big name acts Korn, Megadeth and Rob Zombie says he is "confident" he can pull off the biggest show of his career.

The line-up for Westfest - to be held at Vector Arena in Auckland on February 19 and 20 - was confirmed today and also includes Korn, Asking Alexandria, Five Finger Death Punch, Black Veil Brides and Eagles Of Death Metal.

The festival is an unofficial spin-off from Australia's Soundwave, but promoter Olly Martin says the two aren't related "other than the bands are moving on to do Soundwave afterwards.

"I tried it last year but didn't have enough time to get it sorted out. I thought it was about time to bring Soundwave over to New Zealand."

Martin admits organising a two-day festival was a challenge, saying it took "a lot of money, a lot of time ... basically a lot of effort" to make Westfest happen.

He believed he was up to the task.

"I do shows all the time - it is my job," he told TimeOut.

"I'm not just some punter who decided to give them a call. But more or less, (I) like the music, like the bands (and) figured it was time it happened."

He said he had full confidence in his promotions company ODR Productions and the backing of the team at Vector Arena.

"The team at Vector and the team behind ODR are very competent people. Vector itself - the management there is comprised of promoters in their own right. I'm sure they'll be fine."

At Westfest, headlining acts Korn, Megadeth and Rob Zombie will perform full sets near the two-hour mark. Doors open at 5pm, with the show wrapping up around 11.30pm each night.

More bands will be added to the bill at a later date.

Martin had chased other big name acts performing at Soundwave - like Green Day, Avenged Sevenfold and Stone Temple Pilots - but said "not everything works out".

Those bands could come to New Zealand to "do their own thing," he said.

Tickets for Westfest go on sale on Monday, November 11 and cost $120 per night, or $200 for both nights.

THE LINE-UP

Korn
Rob Zombie
Megadeth
Asking Alexandria
Five Finger Death Punch
Black Veil Brides
Eagles Of Death Metal
August Burns Red
Whitechapel
Terror
Saving Grace

- TimeOut