The Great Escape 2026 proudly announces New Zealand as its official Lead Country Partner, marking a milestone moment as Aotearoa steps into the international spotlight at the UK’s most important festival for new music discovery and industry conversation.
Led by The New Zealand Music Commission in partnership with Live Nation New Zealand, the 2026 programme will showcase the breadth and cultural impact of New Zealand’s music landscape through a dedicated country takeover spanning live performance, industry insight and curated networking events. Support partners also include British Council.
Delegates and festival-goers can expect:
– Two curated New Zealand live showcases
– Conference panels exploring industry infrastructure, artist development and global export pathways
– Exclusive industry receptions and networking events celebrating Aotearoa’s creative community
– Programming collaboration aligned to sustainability, education, and international artist careers
The first artist announced from our 2026 Lead Nation is Ringlets (pictured) — a rising post-punk quartet signed to the legendary Flying Nun Records roster, symbolising the bold, DIY spirit and sonic innovation that has shaped decades of music from Aotearoa.
Alan Holt, International Manager at The New Zealand Music Commission:
“We are excited for Aotearoa/New Zealand to be the lead nation at The Great Escape 2026. The festival has long been pivotal for us, and we relish the opportunity to shine a giant spotlight on the extraordinary talent our country has to offer.”
As The Great Escape celebrates 20 years at the forefront of new music, this partnership will deliver one of the festival’s most significant international programming moments to date — reinforcing TGE’s role as the global gateway for future-defining artists.
Stay tuned for more announcements from our 2026 Lead Country Partner — New Zealand