Gig Review: Trip Change & Lost Tribe Aotearoa @ Festival of Lights, Pukekura Park, New Plymouth – 8/01/2026

The Festival of Lights brought a full house to Pukekura Park, the Hatchery Lawn filling early for a double bill of roots acts Trip Change and Lost Tribe Aotearoa. With parking tight and crowds spilling in from across the region, the evening felt primed for music that matched the scale and warmth of the occasion.

First up were Trip Change (pictured above), the Taranaki-based band led by Waru Hetet. Hetet is a magnetic presence – all soul, skill and feel – and watching him play, it’s hard not to think he’s landed in the wrong decade. His songwriting and guitar work sit comfortably in the late 60’s and 70’s, carrying echoes of Hendrix, late-era Beatles and Stevie Wonder. The music feels exploratory and unencumbered, grounded in groove but willing to stretch.

The band around him is tight and generous. A locked-in rhythm section lays the foundation, while horns and keys add colour and depth without clutter. Much of the set drew from recorded material, but a couple of unrecorded funk and blues jams hinted at what’s still evolving – loose, confident and deeply rooted in Hetet’s unique creative juices.

If Trip Change were air, Lost Tribe would be earth – solid, steady ground beneath your feet. The eight-piece whānau band delivered a sound that felt both durable and fresh, moving fluidly between roots, dub, rock, ska and blues. Their energy was contagious and uplifting, and the crowd quickly committed, dancing in response. 

The set was tight and varied, with highlights including Legacy and Wicked Man, both of which showed how restraint and release can hit hard in a live setting. This degree of control spoke to the band’s strong musicianship. The three vocalists were a standout – their harmonies, distinct voices and the individual touches each brought to the mix made the music feel layered and alive. It’s the variety and unique gifts of each member, tūhonotanga, that make this lineup so special.

Lost Tribe also had their onstage visual choreography dialled in. They know how to perform as an ensemble, giving each musician their moment and space to shine with every player contributing to the collective groove. The spotlight is shared – often with humour including advice for 2026 which was delivered with classic Kiwi bluntness: “Don’t be a dick.” 

Beneath the lightness sat solid messages. Lost Tribe Aotearoa understand that earnestness doesn’t need to be heavy to be meaningful. Bringing the tamariki forward, celebrating te reo, and rejecting the idea of another lost generation, their kaupapa felt inclusive and life-affirming – a wholesome, grounded vibe that landed well on a warm Festival of Lights evening.

Trip Change Set List

Many Things
Fly Away
Build My Hopes
Jungle Juice
Every Moment
She Don’t Love Me
Dirty Lullabies
Hear Me/Never Seen

Lost Tribe Aotearoa Set List

Way Back
Dread Rock
Shaka
Badman Blues
Reflections
Legacy
What Goes Up
Strange Things
Irie
Wicked Man
7 Nations
Lost Game

Photo Credit: Jenny Feaver for Muzic.NZ
Trip Change Photo Gallery
Lost Tribe Aotearoa Photo Gallery