MUSIC
The NZ Cider Festival isn't just about Cider!
Grab a Cider and relax at Main stage..
1:00PM
+2:15pm Vinyl set @ Energy Centre stage
DJ Tunesifter
Local Nelson festival favorite, DJ Tunesifter (Dr Martin Emo) will get main stage going with his signature blend of funk, soul, disco, hip-hop, and Latin grooves.
With roots in jazz and a musical journey spanning 25+ years, his philosophy of
"playing at least one tune for everybody in the room" has been winning over
dancefloors since the late 1990s.
From his first record at age 13 to his extensive collection today, this Nelson-based
selector weaves forgotten classics, sample origins, and fresh discoveries into
uniquely crafted sets that keep crowds moving all night long.
2:00PM
Coast Arcade
Coast Arcade are a self-managed indie-rock band from Auckland, fusing 90s/2000s guitar-driven sounds with bold, energetic live shows. With 1M+ streams, major festival slots, sold-out headline gigs, and support slots for acts like Peach Pit and The Beths, they’ve built a fast-growing international following. Ahead of their debut album in October 2025, they’re cementing their place as one of New Zealand’s most exciting new bands.
3:00PM
Imani-J
At just 17, Imani-J is already carving out a powerful voice in the R&B and Afrobeats scene. An artist in the truest sense of the word - singer, songwriter, dancer and performer - she tells stories of her own unique journey and experiences as a young Kiwi/Haitian woman in New Zealand.
Drawing inspiration from artists like SZA, Tems, and Jorja Smith, Imani-J’s music is a rich fusion of lyrical vulnerability and smooth melodies with vibrant and rhythmic grooves. It’s a sonic space where emotional honesty meets bold self-assurance.
Imani-J’s debut EP ‘EXPECTATIONS’ is set for release in August 2025, with writing sessions across Seattle, LA and London. With her talent and dedication she is poised to make a significant impact on the NZ and global music scene.
3:45PM
Lachie Hayes
From the deep south of Aotearoa comes Lachie Hayes — a songwriter with mud on his boots, stories in his bones, and a sound that blends country, blues and rock into something uniquely his own.
Raised on a hill country sheep farm in the Catlins, Lachie grew up playing music in woolsheds and community halls, surrounded by generations of family musicians. That rural spirit runs deep in his debut album Subsatellite — a raw, honest collection of songs about love, loss, and the quiet poetry of everyday life.
Backed by his band The Chainsaw Massacre, Lachie brings gritty grooves, soaring ballads, and a stage presence that’s equal parts southern charm and storyteller grit. With singles like This River and S.O.B already making waves, Lachie is quickly becoming one of the most compelling voices in New Zealand’s alt-country scene.
Following the release of his debut album Subsatellite — produced by New Zealand music legend Delaney Davidson — Lachie Hayes has taken to festival stages across the lower South Island. Now, he’s bringing his storytelling and southern sound to a brand new audience, ready to share his songs with fresh ears and open hearts.
Grab yourself a cider, find a spot in the sun, and let Lachie Hayes take you somewhere real.
5:30PM
Summer's Sons
This 5-piece band serves up high-energy cover tunes with killer harmonies and infectious stage presence. Well known on Nelson’s party scene for getting crowds moving, they bring that same energy and polish to every stage. Get ready to sing, dance, and raise a glass (of Cider!) because Summer’s Sons never leave a crowd standing still.