Play It Strange has announced its annual 2025 showcase, taking place on Thursday, 4 December at Kāhui St Davids in Tāmaki Makaurau at 7:00pm. The event celebrates rangatahi artists from across Aotearoa who have taken part in the trust’s songwriting competitions throughout the year. First-place winners from the four major competitions will perform, alongside several talented alumni. Special guest speakers include 2025 judges and former participants CHAII and Rebel Reid.
The showcase is the culmination of a full day of workshops and mentoring. Beginning at 9:30am at 95bFM, performers will attend a hands-on session exploring the role of student radio, how emerging artists can get involved, and how to submit music for playlisting. This is followed by a songwriting kōrero with musicians and Play It Strange team members Evie Bamford and Paige, giving students the chance to share their work and perform.
In the afternoon, producer Emily Wheatcroft-Snape leads a Recording 101 workshop, covering home-studio setups, common beginner mistakes, and practical setup and pack-down exercises. Laughton Kora then delivers a performance workshop on stagecraft, developing an artist brand, overcoming anxiety, and soundcheck preparation, finishing with mentoring during the performers’ pre-show soundcheck.
The ten featured performers include the four major 2025 competition winners — Salem Māhia Randall (National Songwriting), Ihaka Whanarere-Tauri (Waiata Māori), Betty Shen (Peace Song), and Sienna Fitzgerald (Junior Songwriting) — as well as alumni Greer Castle, Cameron Beattie, Isabella Bedoya-Lopez, Levol Y, Dylan Lazz, and Shakira Liu.
2025 has been a landmark year for Play It Strange, with a record 879 song entries and funding provided for recording over 200 works. The trust also launched the Play It Strange podcast, with hosts Rei and CHAII interviewing leading New Zealand artists as a resource for emerging musicians. Strengthened alumni pathways, new partnerships with Moana Auckland, BIG FAN and 95bFM, and the support of mentors including Bic Runga, Louis Baker, Kings and Dame Hinewehi Mohi have all expanded opportunities for young creatives.
Ten albums from Play It Strange artists are being released throughout 2025. Follow @playitstrangenz for updates.
