


Split Enz will headline 2026’s Electric Avenue festival, their first live appearance since 2009.
Backstory:
Split Enz were founded by Tim Finn, Mike Chunn, Robert Gillies and Phil Judd in Auckland in 1972, and blended art rock, new wave and pop with their distinctive theatrical outfits and performances.
Neil Finn joined in 1977 at the age of 19.
In 1980 they released their breakthrough fifth studio album, True Colours, featuring songs such as “I Hope I Never” and “I Got You,” later covered by Pearl Jam.
True Colours and its 1981 follow-up Waiata reached the Top 50 in the US.
Following the band’s split in 1984, Neil Finn went on to form Crowded House.
The band have reunited sporadically over the years but have not played live since 2009’s Sound Relief Festival.
Electric Avenue:
The festival will take place in Christchurch’s Hagley Park on 27 and 28 February, 2026, with Split Enz headlining night one.
Other acts to perform include Dom Dolla, Kesha, Pendulum, The Streets, Becky Hill, Basement Jaxx, Leftfield, Sammy Virji and Disco Lines.
What they said:
Tim Finn: “It feels like the time is right to play these songs again. We eagerly await the chance to create a memorable experience for the people of Christchurch Otautahi and beyond.”
Split Enz will headline 2026’s Electric Avenue festival, their first live appearance since 2009.
Backstory:
Split Enz were founded by Tim Finn, Mike Chunn, Robert Gillies and Phil Judd in Auckland in 1972, and blended art rock, new wave and pop with their distinctive theatrical outfits and performances.
Neil Finn joined in 1977 at the age of 19.
In 1980 they released their breakthrough fifth studio album, True Colours, featuring songs such as “I Hope I Never” and “I Got You,” later covered by Pearl Jam.
True Colours and its 1981 follow-up Waiata reached the Top 50 in the US.
Following the band’s split in 1984, Neil Finn went on to form Crowded House.
The band have reunited sporadically over the years but have not played live since 2009’s Sound Relief Festival.
Electric Avenue:
The festival will take place in Christchurch’s Hagley Park on 27 and 28 February, 2026, with Split Enz headlining night one.
Other acts to perform include Dom Dolla, Kesha, Pendulum, The Streets, Becky Hill, Basement Jaxx, Leftfield, Sammy Virji and Disco Lines.
What they said:
Tim Finn: “It feels like the time is right to play these songs again. We eagerly await the chance to create a memorable experience for the people of Christchurch Otautahi and beyond.”
Split Enz will headline 2026’s Electric Avenue festival, their first live appearance since 2009.
Backstory:
Split Enz were founded by Tim Finn, Mike Chunn, Robert Gillies and Phil Judd in Auckland in 1972, and blended art rock, new wave and pop with their distinctive theatrical outfits and performances.
Neil Finn joined in 1977 at the age of 19.
In 1980 they released their breakthrough fifth studio album, True Colours, featuring songs such as “I Hope I Never” and “I Got You,” later covered by Pearl Jam.
True Colours and its 1981 follow-up Waiata reached the Top 50 in the US.
Following the band’s split in 1984, Neil Finn went on to form Crowded House.
The band have reunited sporadically over the years but have not played live since 2009’s Sound Relief Festival.
Electric Avenue:
The festival will take place in Christchurch’s Hagley Park on 27 and 28 February, 2026, with Split Enz headlining night one.
Other acts to perform include Dom Dolla, Kesha, Pendulum, The Streets, Becky Hill, Basement Jaxx, Leftfield, Sammy Virji and Disco Lines.
What they said:
Tim Finn: “It feels like the time is right to play these songs again. We eagerly await the chance to create a memorable experience for the people of Christchurch Otautahi and beyond.”
Split Enz
Tim Finn
Neil Finn
Electric Avenue
Crowded House
Dom Dolla
Kesha
Pendulum
The Streets
Pearl Jam
Festival Lineup Announcements
Festival & Tour Announcements
Legacy Band Reunion Tour
Dominance Of Domestic Artists
Endurance Of New Zealand Rock
Festival Announcements
Festival Lineups
Tour Announcements
Band Reunion
New Zealand
United States
Auckland, NZ
Christchurch, NZ
👋 Disclosures & Transparency Block
- This story was written with information sourced from Mindfood.
- We covered it because it’s news of an iconic band returning to the stage.
📨 Subscribe to NIF
Get news dropped in your inbox 👇
📨 Subscribe to NIF
Get news dropped in your inbox 👇
Related Articles

Live
Sep 3, 2025
1 min read
Radiohead Announce First Tour Dates in 7 Years
Radiohead unveiled a 20-show run in Europe this November

Live
Sep 3, 2025
1 min read
LIVE’s Annual Report Signals a Record Year for Live Music in the UK
Spend reached £6.7bn, as one gig took place every 137 seconds

Live
Sep 1, 2025
1 min read
Argentina to Get New $12m Venue in Córdoba
The room will hold 4,500 people

Radiohead Announce First Tour Dates in 7 Years
Radiohead unveiled a 20-show run in Europe this November

Sunny Malhotra
Live
Sep 3, 2025

LIVE’s Annual Report Signals a Record Year for Live Music in the UK
Spend reached £6.7bn, as one gig took place every 137 seconds

Rod Yates
Live
Sep 3, 2025

Argentina to Get New $12m Venue in Córdoba
The room will hold 4,500 people

Rod Yates
Live
Sep 1, 2025

Ariana Grande Plots 2026 Shows
The ‘Eternal Sunshine Tour’ will be her first in seven years

Rod Yates
Live
Aug 29, 2025

Field & Stream Music Fest Canceled
For the second year running the event won’t go ahead

Rod Yates
Live
Aug 29, 2025

NIVA Backs Portland’s Moratorium on Large Venues
The city will take six months to consider a proposed Live Nation venue

Rod Yates
Live
Aug 25, 2025