We Speak Music
New Zealand Takes Centre Stage at The Great Escape 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
We Speak Music
VAAST drops “Remember These Days” and it seriously feels like the future of French pop
France has given the world some of its biggest electronic icons. From Daft Punk to DJ Snake and David Guetta, French artists have shaped global music culture for decades. But lately, finding a track that mixes real emotion, cinematic vibes and dance energy all at once? Pretty rare.
That’s exactly where Vaast steps in.
His new single “Remember These Days” is an addictive mix of modern French electronic production and timeless pop songwriting. Think emotional melodies, huge atmosphere, deep basslines and the kind of track you want both in your headphones at 2AM and blasting during a late-night drive.
The production blends layered synths, marimba-inspired textures, synthetic African vocal elements and immersive cinematic energy. And yes, there’s even inspiration pulled from Avatar, the legendary movie universe that defined a whole cultural era. That influence gives the track its futuristic-but-nostalgic feeling, like a memory from the future.
