The Performance Arcade announces its open call to musicians from Aotearoa for its 2027 programme of Live Music Series, open from 25-28 February on Wellington Waterfront, Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Aotearoa NZ. For four nights our specially constructed container stage will host a range of music performances and performance art works from around the world. Apply here to be a part of this awesome event as it celebrates its 17th year!
 

The Performance Arcade is a free admission exhibition and festival programme of events located on Wellington Waterfront, with sixteen years of successful presentations from 2011-2026. Our hybrid gallery/stage architecture is made from an assembly of shipping containers that create a series of spaces for installation, performance art, sonic art, interactive media, video-art, forums, theatre, dance, and live music. Opening onto the bustling Wellington Waterfront, these sites of encounter engage the public in contemporary art and performance practices outside the familiar constraints of gallery or theatre spaces, visited by 40-60,000 people each year.

We recognise the Mana Whenua of Te Upoko-o-te-Ika-a-Maui (Te Ati Awa, Taranaki Iwi, Ngai Tara) where we present our work every year, and are committed to actively promoting diversity, accessibility, and inclusivity in the presentation of artists and audience experience of our event.
 

INFORMATION

1 PROPOSALS: We welcome proposals from new and emerging musicians and groups, as well as those who are more established. It is a great place to try out new ideas, take some creative risks, and bring new audiences into your fan base.
2 PROGRAMMING: The event dates are 25-28 February.

3 FINANCIAL: The Performance Arcade offers fees to all our musicians, although we cannot pay as much as ticketed events and venues do. ​

4 EXPECTATIONS: It is a condition of inclusion in The Performance Arcade 2027 that selected artists would help promote their gig alongside our own marketing campaign, as well as turn up early for their scheduled sound check and induction. There is also a wider programme of artist meetings, workshops, and events which our musicians are also welcome to attend at their own discretion.​

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APPLICATION GUIDE

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STEP 1: complete a proposal document with the below information included
 

Please include the following information in your application document:
1. Name/s of artist or group
2. Contact phone number/s and email addresses

3. Personnel involved. Please include bios for your team.

4. Descriptor for the band/artist and the music style/genre (100-500 words )

5. Technical inventory (all electrical devices and equipment used)

6. Diagrams for the stage setup (our stage is 6m wide, by 4.8m deep)

7. Additional material to support your proposal, which can include video, audio, reviews, imagery, technical setup or other specific features.
8. Other notes of interest: please let us know if there is anything else you would like to contribute.

 

STEP 2: Fill in the form linked below, attach your completed proposal document on the final page, and submit by the closing date. 

APPLICATION FORM LINK - MUSIC
Please use PDF or JPEG file formats only.

Applications are due by 5.00pm 27 November 2026 (NZ time)

For queries contact: theplaygroundnz@gmail.com / + 64(0)210653992  ​
 

Proposals are reviewed by PA2027 Music Curator David Tait in consultation Artistic Director Sam Trubridge and others from the PA2027 creative team.​​​​