{"id":272876,"date":"2026-02-26T17:32:37","date_gmt":"2026-02-26T04:32:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.muzic.nz\/?post_type=news&p=272876"},"modified":"2026-02-26T17:33:45","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T04:33:45","slug":"jim-beam-homegrown-announces-emerging-artists-to-perform-at-2026-festival","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.muzic.nz\/news\/jim-beam-homegrown-announces-emerging-artists-to-perform-at-2026-festival\/","title":{"rendered":"Jim Beam Homegrown announces emerging artists to perform at 2026 Festival"},"featured_media":0,"template":"","news-category":[10],"class_list":["post-272876","news","type-news","status-publish","hentry","news-category-ontour"],"meta_box":{"summary":"Jim Beam Homegrown is turning up the volume on the future of New Zealand music, announcing six breakthrough acts from 150 entries to perform on the Manuka Phuel Nexus Stage at this year\u2019s festival at Claudelands Oval in Kirikiriroa, Hamilton.","article":"

Jim Beam Homegrown is turning up the volume on the future of New Zealand music, announcing six breakthrough acts from 150 entries to perform on the Manuka Phuel Nexus Stage at this year\u2019s festival at Claudelands Oval in Kirikiriroa, Hamilton.<\/p>\n

The Jim Beam Homegrown Manuka Phuel Nexus Stage is a dedicated performance platform for emerging Kiwi artists and reflects the Festival\u2019s commitment to fostering homegrown talent.<\/p>\n

Andrew Tuck, Jim Beam Homegrown chief executive and managing director, says the new stage represents a defining step in the festival\u2019s evolution.<\/p>\n

\u201cHomegrown has always been about backing Kiwi music at every level,\u201d says Tuck. \u201cThe Manuka Phuel Nexus Stage gives these emerging artists the opportunity to perform and gain visibility. These artists are already making noise, but we\u2019re providing them with a stage to be louder!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

The selection process<\/strong>
\nThe six emerging artists who will perform at Jim Beam Homegrown have been selected from a nationwide competition, which was open to artists of all genres. To be eligible, artists needed to have 2026+ monthly listeners, followers, or streams; 2026+ social followers; a press kit; radio ready single; and the ability to perform a 45-minute set of original music. Jim Beam Homegrown received 150 entries, of which the final six have been selected.<\/p>\n

They are: Altercation X Erin G, Cordian, Imani-J, PRINS, Verity, Wet Denim.<\/p>\n

Tuck says the overwhelming number of entries to the competition proves the future of Kiwi music is in safe hands.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo see more than 150 artists put themselves forward shows just how much talent is out there. Narrowing it down to six wasn\u2019t easy, but these artists have something special. In a few years, we fully expect some of these artists to be headlining major stages across the country.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n

Tuck says: \u201cJim Beam Homegrown has always been a ground for fostering Kiwi talent, and this initiative strengthens that pathway. We\u2019re not just booking artists for a set, we\u2019re investing in the next chapter of New Zealand music.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

With seven stages, tens of thousands of fans, and the most ambitious production scale in Homegrown history, the addition of the Manuka Phuel Nexus Stage reinforces the festival\u2019s mission: uplifting local talent while celebrating the artists who carry the sound of Aotearoa to the world.<\/p>\n

Manuka Phuel Nexus Stage Line Up<\/strong><\/p>\n

Altercation X Erin G | Auckland<\/strong>
\nTamaki Makaurau-based singer-songwriter, Erin G, and Queenstown DJ\/Producer Altercation will team up to dive into new sonic territory with their EP, Dream it Again<\/em>, a poignant EP which captures Erin G\u2019s intimate storytelling alongside Altercation\u2019s soulful side of drum and bass.<\/p>\n

Cordian | Auckland<\/strong>
\nAn alternative\/progressive rock group from Auckland, the band consists of Mike Raven (Guitars\/Keys), Kris Raven (Drums\/Percussion), Nick Raven (Bass) and Dity Maharaj (Vocals\/Artwork).<\/p>\n

\"Coridian\"<\/p>\n

Imani-J | Nelson<\/strong>
\nHaitian-New Zealand artist, Imani-J is crafting music that sits at the intersection of Afrofusion and R&B. An artist in the truest sense of the word, Imani-J is a singer, songwriter, dancer, and performer with a strong vision for her future.<\/p>\n

PRINS | Auckland<\/strong>
\nPRINS is a New Zealand-born pop artist carving out a bold, international lane with sleek pop hooks, sharp visuals, and a live show built for scale. Blending high-energy pop with a darker, confident edge, her sound sits comfortably alongside RAYE, Selena Gomez, Tate McRae, and Ashnikko, polished, emotionally charged, and unapologetically modern.<\/p>\n

Verity | Hamilton<\/strong>
\nKnown for her deeply honest storytelling and blend of pop, soul, and R&B, vocalist, performer and social media star, Verity started her musical journey in Hamilton, Kirikiriroa and continues to carve out a sound that is raw, real and unmistakably her own.<\/p>\n

Wet Denim | Wellington<\/strong>
\nFour-piece rock pop band from Wellington, Wet Denim established themselves as a must-see live act in the Australasian scenes. The group\u2019s sound is a blend of captivating vocals, lush guitar chords, syrupy basslines, and hard-hitting drums.<\/p>\n

The festival will be held in Hamilton for the first time in 2026, kicking off on Saturday, 14 March at Claudelands Oval.<\/p>\n

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