MUSIC
The NZ Cider Festival isn't just about Cider!
Grab a Cider and relax at Main stage..
Sonar Flare - 5–7pm
Sonar Flare is a powerhouse New Zealand rock collective led by Jason Kerrison of Opshop and featuring musicians connected to The Feelers, Zed, Sola Rosa, Synthony and Kaylee Bell. Headlining NZ Cider Festival 2026 at Founders Park, Nelson, the band will perform a two-hour set blending iconic Kiwi anthems, reimagined favourites, festival classics and original material into a live experience built for singalongs, connection and serious stage energy.
“Five musicians. Decades of songs.
One unmistakable Aotearoa sound.”
— Sonar Flare
Paddy's Knob | 4pm
Nelson's very own Irish band, with special guest Shanine Hermsen of Hermsen County on fiddle.
This high-energy Irish Rock & Folk four-piece bring rowdy singalongs, pub belters and pure craic to the NZ Cider Festival stage. Named after a beloved local reserve, they pack dance floors with the best of Ireland like rock classics from The Dubliners, The Pogues, The Cranberries, U2 and The Waterboys PLUS trad folk like Whiskey in the Jar, Dirty Old Town and The Fields of Athenry. Crowd participation is rarely optional.
Second Skin | 2.30pm
Fresh out of Reefton, on the rainforested West Coast, are Second Skin.
Former Nelson lad Sam Wilson has teamed up with former Manawatu drummer Scotty Whittaker, to form an acoustic duo with rock vibes.
Bringing originality, with energetic sensibilities. Half the production, twice the sound.
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Obsidian | 3.30pm
Obsidian is a three-piece rock and indie youth band from Nelson. We’ve been playing together for around six years.
We mainly play our own original songs, mixing rock and indie rock, but we also enjoy playing some classic songs from bands like Nirvana and The Killers. We’ve had some pretty cool achievements so far, including winning the APRA Lyric Award at Rockquest for one of our original songs and coming third at BandQuest two years in a row.
We also had the opportunity to perform at the Tahuna Summer Sounds Festival, which has been a great experience for us and a chance to play our music to a bigger crowd.
Bridie Belle | 2.30 - 5:30pm
Inside the Energy Centre
Grooves that sound like a smile. Bridie Belle is all about music that brings people together, and there's no crowd she'd rather play for than her Nelson home crowd. Expect chill house, tribal rhythms and feel-good funk for the perfect cider-in-hand afternoon
Chey Presley | 2pm
Chey Presley is a young singer guitarist from Nelson, New Zealand.
He has been surrounded by music from a young age and has developed a passion for performing and connecting with people through music. His style draws inspiration from artists across acoustic, rock, country and modern music, while he also writes and releases his own original songs.
Chey’s love for music is at the heart of everything he does
Sarah Kerby DJ | 12pm
Sarah Kerby DJ is known for her versatility, seamlessly blending genres into unforgettable, party-stomping sets. Sarah has played clubs and festivals all over New Zealand and Bali, supporting industry heavyweights including Phace, Savage, P Money, Aphrodite, and Ahoribuzz. With roots in drum & bass, hip-hop, and funk, her performances are full of surprises, taking audiences on a journey where every turn is an exciting new vibe.
You will want to be at Cider Fest early and catch Sarah on stage from gates open until 2pm!