We Speak Music

New Zealand Takes Centre Stage at The Great Escape 2026

Published

1 month ago

May 7, 2026

For the first time in the festival’s history, New Zealand has been named the official focus country at The Great Escape Festival 2026, with the New Zealand Music Commission and Live Nation New Zealand presenting a full venue takeover at Patterns in Brighton on Thursday 14 May.

Running from 12pm to 4pm across both floors of Patterns, the showcase will spotlight 10 of Aotearoa’s most exciting emerging and established artists, offering international industry delegates and music fans a powerful snapshot of the country’s evolving sound.

The event continues New Zealand’s long-standing relationship with The Great Escape, a festival widely recognised as one of the world’s leading platforms for breakthrough talent. Previous Kiwi success stories on the global stage include Lorde, Neil Finn, Ladyhawke and Flight of the Conchords.

The 2026 lineup reflects the breadth of contemporary New Zealand music, from the genre-bending alternative hip-hop of WHO SHOT SCOTT to the dreamy Pacific psychedelia of LEAO, the indie rock textures of Office Dog, and the cinematic alt-pop world of ratbag.

New Zealand Music Commission spokesperson Alan Holt described the partnership as a major moment for Kiwi music internationally, highlighting the country’s growing reputation for globally resonant artists and innovative songwriting.

With support from Live Nation New Zealand, the showcase aims to strengthen international opportunities for Aotearoa artists while reinforcing New Zealand’s place as one of the world’s most exciting musical export regions.

Useful links:
www.nzmusic.org.nz

international@nzmusic.org.nz

https://www.livenation.co.nz

www.greatescapefestival.com

We Speak Entertainment

Rocky Kramer’s Rock & Roll Tuesdays Presents “The Wall” On Tuesday, June 16th, 2026 7 PM PT on Twitch

Published

14 hours ago

June 14, 2026

Jimmy Star

Rocky Kramer will be hosting “The Wall” on this week’s episode of Rocky Kramer’s Rock & Roll Tuesdays on Twitch. Tune into Twitch on Tuesday, June 16^th, 2026 at 7 PM PT for this amazing show.

Rocky Kramer is a guitar virtuoso, often being compared to the greatest guitar players in the world. Rocky has performed on shows with some of the greatest musicians on the planet including Ozzy Osbourne, John Lodge, Steve Vai, Leland Sklar, Kenny Aronoff, Tommy James, Verdeen White, Ten Years After, BuckCherry, Rick Wakeman and more.

Rocky’s first studio album, “Firestorm” is now available worldwide through Allied Artists Music Group, together with an epic music video of his #1 Global DRT Chart topper single, “Rock Star”, that also picked up a Best Rock Performance nod at the 2019 Hollywood Music In Media Awards (“HMMA”).

Rocky Kramer recently returned to the studio to record his sophomore album “Alone In The Rain” which will be released soon!!!

Rocky Kramer was recently cast in The Mutt Productions/ Allied Artists rock n’ roll time travel comedy adventure “Rockin’ In Time” where he will play the film’s lead character, Lars Olsen. The film is being directed by Aaron Lee Lopez (of the “Teenage Girl” franchise) and is being produced by multi-platinum and six-time Grammy Award winning musician turned motion picture producer, Kurt Wipfli.

Rocky Kramer is now the new lead guitarist in Prescott Niles’ new revival of the legendary band The Knack. Known worldwide for their smash hit “My Sharona,” The Knack helped define the sound of late-1970s power pop and rock. Decades later, the band’s influence continues to resonate with fans and musicians across generations. With Rocky Kramer now joining the lineup, the band is poised to introduce that legacy to a new era of audiences while honoring the spirit that made them legendary.

Watch Rocky Kramer’s “Rock Star” Music Video here: