ENTERTAINMENT

The Games Village is the place to be every night, featuring a variety of entertainment acts on the main stage. We’ve curated a mix of music to keep everyone playing after the whistle blows!

FRIDAY 3 FEBRUARY – OPENING CEREMONY 6.30PM

Join us for the official opening of the 34th Downer New Zealand Masters Games, featuring a pōwhiri (welcome ceremony) and performances from Brass Whanganui. Gather on Watt Street at 6.15pm to be welcomed in to the village.

Afterwards, relax and celebrate with DJ D-Fresh from 7.30pm-11.30pm.

SATURDAY 4 FEBRUARY from 5.00PM

Start the night with One Trick Pony (5-7pm), featuring delightful harmonies, playful ukuleles, and a range of covers you’re sure to know and love.

Keep the party going with Wellington band The Blueprint (7-11pm), here to deliver all the hits just the way they should be played!

SUNDAY 5 FEBRUARY from 5.00pm

The Whanganui Jazz Orchestra take the stage from 5.00pm, treating you to a celebration of jazz music made in our river city.

Whiskey Mama (8-11pm) is a 5-piece band renowned around the Whanganui region and beyond. Covering all your favourite artists, expect tunes to get you up and dancing from Tom Petty, Bob Seger, Blondie, The Pretenders, Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Nicks and much more.

 

 

MONDAY 6 FEBRUARY from 5.00pm

Kick back, relax and enjoy Waitangi Day with tunes from DJ Des Te Weri (5-7pm and 9-11pm), and live music from Come on Up (7-9pm), a fresh reggae/rock fusion sound emerging from a band based in Whanganui.

Come on Up were recently the recipients of the Best Māori Urban Roots Reggae Album 2022 at the Waiata Māori Music Awards.

 

TUESDAY 7 FEBRUARY – ACOUSTIC NIGHT from 6.00pm

Hot Potato (6-9pm) are here to deliver an acoustic set sure to get your feet tapping! Hot Potato are a 5 piece ‘electric skiffle’ outfit covering classic rock, folk, jazz, gospel, blues, and punk.

 

WEDNESDAY 8 FEBRUARY – BIG QUIZ & COMEDY NIGHT from 6.00pm

Put your grey cells to the test with the return of a Games favourite, the Big Quiz Night with DIY Comedy. A classic 8-round Believe It Or Not quiz hosted by local quizmaster Ish Redford, followed by stand up comedy from Ben Tito Caldwell and Kajun Brooking.

For teams of up to six people (must be aged 18 and over and hold a Games Pass). Be in to win a grand prize of $1000 cash, as well as spot prizes awarded on the night! Sign up at the Games Village on the day.

 

THURSDAY 9 FEBRUARY from 7.00pm

Fresh is best with Manawatū DJ extraordinaire, DJ D-Fresh. Bringing a bespoke mix of beats to keep the party going from 7-11pm, D-Fresh will have you dancing the night away! Fancy dress costumes encouraged!

 

FRIDAY 10 FEBRUARY from 7.30pm

Go wild with KAOS! Bound to get you dancing the night away, KAOS (7.30-11pm) are a 5-piece band from Whanganui with a set list that fuses sounds like Bruno Mars, Billy Idol, Sublime and Foo Fighters.

They specialise in a party atmosphere so bring your crew for a night of KAOS!

 

 

SATURDAY 11 FEBRUARY from 6.00pm

Get the party started with Whanganui’s own seven-piece Damn Raucous Brass (6-7pm) playing their signature New Orleans-style funk.

Later, Wellington’s premium covers band The Relatives (7.30-11.30pm) will have the dancefloor pumping.

SUNDAY 12 FEBRUARY – CLOSING CEREMONY from 6.00pm

Join us to farewell the Games and celebrate a fantastic week of sport and play, featuring Darren Wallace.