By One Network Wellington Live
Wellington’s waterfront turned into a massive party spot on Friday, March 14, and Saturday, March 15, 2025, for the Jim Beam Homegrown Festival. This year, it’s bigger than ever—two whole days of Kiwi music blasting across five stages. It’s the 18th time this festival’s come to town, and sadly, the last time it’ll happen here before moving somewhere else in 2026. We’re One Network Wellington Live, and we’re here to tell you all about it—the tunes, the crowds, the fun, and why this goodbye feels so huge, with costs in NZ dollars like you asked.
Day One: Friday Night Kicks Off with a Bang
The Park Stage Lights Up Waitangi Park
Friday night was all about one stage—the Park Stage at Waitangi Park. It’s this grassy patch down by the water, perfect for a big night out. The festival usually sticks to one day, but this time they added Friday to make it special. Gates opened around half-past four, and by evening, the place was buzzing. Everyone over 18—cos it’s an R18 gig this year—piled in with their wristbands, ready for a proper start.
Synthony Steals the Show
The big name was Synthony, kicking things off with a wild mix of live orchestra and thumping electronic beats. Imagine violins and drums smashing together—it’s loud, it’s different, and it got the crowd jumping. Stan Walker came next, his soulful voice filling the park. He’s a Kiwi fave, and you could hear everyone singing along. Lee Mvtthews kept the energy up with fast drum and bass, making the ground shake. Then Ché-Fu & The Kratez teamed up with King Kapisi for some hip-hop and reggae vibes—proper old-school stuff. The Katayanagi Twins, new kids on the block, closed it out with fresh electronic tunes. It was a cracking night—five acts, one stage, and a taste of what Saturday would bring.
A Chill Start to the Weekend
The Park Stage wasn’t too packed—more cosy than crazy. Wheelchair spots and disabled loos made it easy for everyone to join in. You couldn’t take drinks out—there’s a liquor ban on the waterfront, and fines are NZ$250 if you’re caught—but the bars inside kept the beers flowing. It felt like a warm-up, a little party before the big one. Wellington’s windy air had a nip, but the music kept us warm.
Day Two: Saturday Takes Over the Waterfront
Five Stages, Loads of Music
Saturday, March 15, was when Homegrown went full-on. Gates opened at half-past twelve, and all five stages fired up along the waterfront—from Waitangi Park to Frank Kitts, Queens Wharf, and near TSB Arena. It’s a free-flow setup—you can wander between them, no hassle, just a 10-minute stroll from town. We saw over 50 acts, from rock to reggae, hip-hop to pop, and electronic beats. It’s Kiwi music’s biggest bash, and Wellington turned out for it—thousands of us, all over 18, ready to dance.
Rock Stage: Guitars and Goodbyes
The Rock Stage—probably near Frank Kitts—was for the loud ones. Shihad played their last-ever gig here, and it was massive. They’ve been rocking NZ for years, and this goodbye had fans roaring. Elemeno P brought catchy pop-rock riffs, easy to sing along to. Alien Weaponry smashed it with Māori thrash metal—heavy and wild. Shepherds Reign, new to Homegrown, added Polynesian metal vibes. It was sweaty, noisy, and brilliant—guitars screaming, crowd bouncing, a proper rock send-off.
Reggae/Roots Stage: Chill by the Water
Over by Queens Wharf, the Reggae/Roots Stage was all about good vibes. Katchafire, the reggae kings, had us swaying with smooth tunes. The Black Seeds, Wellington’s own, mixed funk and roots—pure summer feels. Sons of Zion blended reggae and pop, getting everyone humming. SUB-TRIBE, another newbie, kept the island groove going. It’s the spot where you kick back, grab a drink from the bar, and let the music wash over you. The water sparkled nearby, and it felt like a holiday.
Electronic/Drum & Bass Stage: Beats That Hit Hard
Near TSB Arena, the Electronic/Drum & Bass Stage was pumping. Shapeshifter headlined—big drums, big soul, big energy. They’re legends, and the crowd went mad. Lee Mvtthews doubled up from Friday, dropping more fast beats. P-Money spun hip-hop and electronic magic—his decks were on fire. Hyan, a fresh face, kept the dance floor moving. It’s where the night owls went—lights flashing, bass thumping, no sitting still here. You could feel it in your chest, right by the water’s edge.
Pop/Hip-Hop Stage: Hits and Rhymes
The Pop/Hip-Hop Stage, maybe by the Lagoon, was the busiest. Sir Dave Dobbyn sang his classic Kiwi tunes—everyone knew the words. Kaylee Bell’s country-pop voice rang out, strong and clear. Drax Project jazzed it up with sax and funk. Kings dropped slick hip-hop rhymes, while SWIDT brought Auckland’s rap heat. Louis Baker’s soul was smooth as butter, Mitch James had pop hooks for days, and Aaradhna’s R&B was pure velvet. Troy Kingi & The Cactus Handshake mixed funk and hip-hop, Halftime Oranges debuted with catchy pop, and Vana, another new name, rapped her way in. It was packed—singalongs, dancing, a bit of everything.
The Big Goodbye to Wellington
18 Years and Out
This wasn’t just another Homegrown—it’s the last on Wellington’s waterfront. After 18 years since 2008, it’s moving in 2026. The boss, Andrew Tuck, said they’ve outgrown the space—five stages is the max here, and they want to go bigger. “We love Wellington,” he told us, “but it’s time for a new spot.” The city’s been ace—WellingtonNZ and the council backed it hard—but it’s a bittersweet cheerio. Saturday felt like a thank-you party, a last blast by the water.
Why It’s Special
Homegrown’s all Kiwi—no overseas acts, just our own. Over 50 bands and DJs, with 30% newbies like Shepherds Reign and Vana, showed off NZ’s talent. It’s not just music—carnival rides spun round, food stalls dished up grub, and water stations kept us going (bring your own bottle, mind). You can’t beat the free-flow bit—pop in, pop out, see the city between tunes. It’s R18 this time—passports or licences checked at the gate—but it kept the vibe grown-up and lively.
What We Saw and Felt
Friday’s Warm-Up
Friday at Waitangi Park was a teaser. Synthony’s orchestra-meets-DJ trick was weird but wicked—Stan Walker’s voice gave us goosebumps. Lee Mvtthews got our feet tapping, and Ché-Fu with King Kapisi took us back. The Katayanagi Twins were a surprise—young and buzzing. It wasn’t rammed, so you could breathe, grab a drink, and enjoy. The wind nipped a bit—typical Wellington—but no one cared.
Saturday’s Madness
Saturday was mental—five stages, non-stop noise. The Rock Stage rocked hardest—Shihad’s farewell was a lump-in-the-throat moment. Reggae/Roots was pure chill—Katchafire’s grooves melted the stress away. Electronic/Drum & Bass thumped loudest—Shapeshifter owned it. Pop/Hip-Hop was chaos—Sir Dave Dobbyn next to Kings, old and new smashing it. We wandered between them, legs knackered but grinning. Bars were busy—NZ$250 fine if you took a drink out—but food stalls kept us fed. Rides spun in the background, kids at heart queuing up.
The Crowd and the City
Thousands turned up—Wellington locals, out-of-towners, all over 18. X posts said it: “Last Homegrown here—gutted but stoked!” Wheelchair access was sorted, loos too—everyone got a fair go. Parking’s a nightmare—public transport or cabs were the shout. The waterfront glittered—water on one side, stages on the other. It’s why we love it here, and why it’ll hurt to see it go.
What’s Next?
One Last Bash
If the wind goes mad, it shifts to Sunday, March 16—forecast says showers, so bring a coat. But Saturday wrapped summer up right—a send-off for Wellington’s waterfront. Shihad’s last gig, Synthony’s first, 50+ acts—it’s history. Tuck wants a bigger bash in 2026—new city, new tricks. Where? They’re eyeing spots, maybe not close—April’s when we’ll know. Tickets this year were NZ$150 each—a fair deal for two days of this.
Our Take
We reckon it’s been a belter. Friday’s Park Stage was a tasty starter—Synthony’s a mad idea that works. Saturday’s five stages were a feast—rock, reggae, beats, pop, all Kiwi, all class. The “bird cage” Town Hall’s a pricey joke nearby, but Homegrown’s NZ$150 tickets feel worth it. It’s Wellington’s heartbeat—loud, proud, ours. Saying ta-ra stings, but it’s gone out with a bang. One Network Wellington Live loved every minute—see you at the next one, wherever it lands.