New Zealand powerhouses SIX60 have announced a set of UK tour dates that start at London’s Royal Albert Hall on 7 October and finish at the Academy 2 in Manchester on 12 October. They then start their European dates in Paris on 14 October before heading over to the US and Canada, where they’ll open in Denver on 27 October and finish in Nashville on 15 November. Ending the year with dates in Australia starting in Cairns on 2 October and finishing in Sydney on 4 December, SIX60’s global plans for 2026 are in full effect.
Excited to be touring again SIX60 vocalist Matiu Walters says, “We played Barcelona in July, and the audience were singing our songs back at us. We’ve been visiting Europe for a few years now initially playing to Kiwis, but we’re definitely building an international following. Music crosses borders and languages because everyone loves music, and if our songs connect with people in Spain, France, Germany, well, we must be doing something right.” And as they prepare to play the Royal Albert Hall for the first time Walters smiles, “it will be epic.”
Forming in a shared student house at 660 Castle Street in Dunedin, SIX60’s rise to become the most successful New Zealand band ever is a 21st century rags to riches story. Starting out as five friends who enjoyed jamming on guitars, singing together, playing backyard barbecues and student raves, Walters explains, “Three of us were in the same rugby team, and after training we’d grab some drinks and sing Bill Withers and Bob Marley songs just for fun.”
The band quickly built a reputation for formidable live shows long before they headed into a studio. “Initially we just got together with someone who knew how to use Pro Tools and recorded a few original songs to put up on Facebook,” Walters continues, “then things took off!” The huge response to the first EP released in 2011 ensured SIX60’s eponymous debut album topped the NZ charts, produced two huge hits, and was certified multi-platinum. Their signature reggae and soul with a laidback Kiwi flavour sound has continued to evolve, and all of the following SIX60 albums enjoyed huge homeland success.
Their fifth and most recent album Right Here Right Now features songs about family and unity that demonstrate a lived wisdom that comes with age and experience. Always determined to succeed on their own terms, the band now run their record label, promote their festivals and firmly believe music has a higher purpose. And being predominantly Māori, SIX60’s celebration of their heritage sees international audiences singing along on their Te Reo Māori - the indigenous Eastern Polynesian NZ language – songs wherever they play.
“Māori culture is recognised and valued worldwide,” says Walters, “so its great to share it whenever we’re on stage.” He continues, “As a band we come from different backgrounds and different cultures, and I think its these qualities that attract people to our music and the sense of unity and joy. Kiwis’ recognise this, and now we’re finding people in different nations also respond to our SIX60 values.”
Ending the year with dates in Australia starting in Cairns on October 2nd and finishing Sydney on December 4th, SIX60’s global plans for 2026 are in full effect.
