Aussie rockers headline Gibbston

Cold Chisel, Icehouse, Bic Runga and Everclear will all play the Gibbston concert in Queenstown this summer.

Australian rock royalty, Cold Chisel, headline the ever-popular big day out on 18 January, 2025, as part of their 50th Anniversary tour. They recently announced 23 dates across Australia this October to December with 20 shows selling out within hours of going on sale.

After the legendary Jimmy Barnes underwent open heart surgery in 2023, the rocker admitting he never thought he'd see these milestone performances come together.

"The Big Five-0 is a landmark moment," he says. "There have been plenty of times where I never thought I'd live to see this day so I'm going to make the most of it. I can't wait to celebrate with my mates and with all the fans who have been such a big part of our story. We're gonna smash it!”

The band will play a set which reaches back across its whole song catalogue, including 15 songs audiences demand to hear. Guitarist and singer Ian Moss says: "This time we'll be playing all of them plus we'll be throwing in lots of musical surprises."

The 2025 Summer Concert tour, now in its 15th year, comes to Gibbston Valley Winery on Saturday, 18 January, Taupo on Saturday, 25 January, as well as making a return to the Coromandel performing in Whitianga on Sunday, 26 January. The Queenstown daytime festival gig is generally attended by around 15,000 people.

Early access tickets for One NZ customers and club members go on sale tomorrow, Thursday, 27 June, with general sales from 1 July, priced from $159.

 

Icehouse is one of Australia and New Zealand’s most iconic bands. Formed by Iva Davies, the lead singer and creative force, Icehouse have 28 Platinum albums, ten Top 40 albums and over 15 Top 40 singles on the NZ Charts, including Great Southern Land, Hey Little Girl, Electric Blue and Crazy to name a few.

Iva Davies says: “We loved touring New Zealand in 2017 with the Summer Concert Tour and can’t wait to be back again to be part of the 15th year celebrations in January.”

 

Since the release of her first single Drive in 1996 – Bic Runga (Ngāti Kahungunu, Rongomaiwahine) has been awarded almost every musical honour in NZ, including the prestigious APRA Silver Scroll songwriting award.

Bic has won the most Tui Awards (NZ Music Awards) by any individual, ever (twenty). She has won Best Female Vocalist four times and Best Producer three times. In January 2006, Bic was made a member of the NZ Order of Merit in the NZ New Year's Honours List. In 2016 she was the recipient of the Legacy award at the NZ Music Awards and inducted into the NZ Music hall of fame.

"I’m excited to be part of the Summer Concert Tours 15th year celebrations. I can’t wait to perform alongside an iconic line up of artists that I’ve admired for so long, at some epic summer locations right here in Aotearoa!" she says.

 

Everclear are one of the leading alternative rock bands to emerge from the ‘90s, yet founder, vocalist and guitarist Art Alexakis has made it clear that he has no plans to slow down. Since forming in 1992, Everclear has enjoyed a lengthy career by any measure, spanning 11 studio releases, including four that have been certified Gold or Platinum, selling over six million records, and achieving 12 Top 40.

They've had hit singles on mainstream rock, alternative, and adult Top 40 radio, including tracks Santa Monica, Father of Mine, I Will Buy You A New Life, Wonderful and Everything To Everyone, as well as numerous videos, thousands of shows, and various other accolades, including a 1998 Grammy nomination. 

"We’re stoked to be joining a lineup of such legendary acts. It’s been seven years since we’ve been to New Zealand and we couldn’t be more excited to get back and connect with our Kiwi fans and to be included in this awesome festival," Alexakis says.

Amanda Calvert, CEO of tour event company Greenstone Entertainmnet, says: “With this being our 15th anniversary, we are privileged to celebrate it with Cold Chisel, Icehouse, Bic Runga and Everclear.

"The Summer Concert Tour has cemented itself as an annual pilgrimage where friends get together and enjoy some of the best music of our lifetime. To think that over the years we have entertained so many people at our shows, hosted over 42 musical legends, had a massive economic impact on regional towns, and have made friends with so many great people along the way. We are so looking forward to the 2025 Summer Concert Tour and delivering our best concert series yet.”

One NZ customers can be among the first to secure tickets during a 24 hour presale for all shows, starting 10am Thursday, June 27. Head to one.nz/music

Greenstone Concert Club members have priority access to pre-sale tickets from 10am, Thursday, June 27 with General Public tickets on sale 12pm Monday, July 1.

Locals in Queenstown, Taupo and Whitianga can secure limited locals tickets from 9am Thursday, June 27 from the following locations: Gibbston Valley Winery, Queenstown i-Site, Wanaka i-Site, Taupo Customer & Visitor Centre,Whitianga i-Site, and Pauanui Info Centre.

Ticket prices start from $159 + booking fee or until sold out. Express Entry, VIP and Greenstone Club options available.