Six60 and Synthony to headline first concert at One New Zealand stadium
Wednesday, 3 December 2025
Six60 and the orchestral-electronic juggernaut Synthony will headline the inaugural concert at the country’s newest venue, One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch, on Saturday, May 16, 2026.
The concert is a recipient of the first round of the Government’s major events and funding announced today by Tourism Minister Louise Upston.
“Today’s acts and events [announced today] are just the start, offering something for hundreds of thousands of fans and visitors, along with a big boost to New Zealand’s economy,” Upston said at the Christchurch concert announcement.
The Six60 Synthony event, titled Once In A Lifetime, is presented by Mānuka Phuel in association with Kiwibank, and will feature full sets from both acts, culminating in a collaborative finale. Six60’s biggest hits will be reimagined with Synthony’s full orchestral production.
The Once In A Lifetime lineup also includes country-pop star Kaylee Bell, Christchurch singer-songwriter Cassie Henderson, and local pop-rock five-piece Castaway.
“This concert is more than a show – it’s a milestone for Christchurch and for our live music culture,” Kiwibank chief executive Steve Jurkovich said.
Six60 said “it’s a real honour for us to play the first ever show at Christchurch’s One New Zealand Stadium. Christchurch has backed us from day one… so being able to open a venue built for its future is really special”.
“This show is a landmark moment for live entertainment in Aotearoa,” David Higgins of Duco Events said.
The all-Kiwi lineup underscores the strength of New Zealand’s live music scene and is possible with backing from Eccles Entertainment, Duco Events, and the Government’s Events Boost Fund.
‘What incredible performance it's going to be’
At the announcement, organisers and artists described the scale of the production as unlike anything Christchurch has hosted.
Mike McRoberts, MCing the announcement, told the crowd to “just imagine on the night, it is just going to be sensational.”
“You really have to imagine what a full-size orchestra of 55 members, possibly more, and Six60 with all the bangs and whistles at this brand new one NZ stadium. What incredible performance it's going to be.”
Six60’s Matiu Walters said the band immediately jumped at the chance to open the stadium.
“When we got the call or text, whatever it was, to the opportunity to open the stadium down here, obviously we're just over the moon and so excited,” he said.
“We just wanted desperately to put on a performance that would be worthy of the occasion, we understand how long Christchurch has been waiting for this and how much resilience they have.”
He said the Synthony collaboration was designed specifically for the stadium’s first night.
“We got in touch with our friend Synthony to make sure that we could put on this collaboration and basically make purpose-built for the stadium for the first night, and you just got a little bit of a taste of it then,” he said.
“I think you're gonna be in for a hell of a night.”
Promoter David Higgins said the scale of the launch reflected confidence in the venue and the acts.
“First time we spent 100 thousand dollars on a press conference, that's how confident we are in this momentous occasion,” he said.
“I think it will be one of the most special moments in my career.”
Veteran promoter Brent Eccles said momentum around the new stadium had been building in Christchurch for years.
“Whoever decided to build the stadium in the middle of the city, what a great idea,” he said.
“As Christchurch has watched this thing grow for a couple of years, momentum has built and built and built.”
Eccles described the lineup as entirely homegrown.
“It is a totally unique line-up. It is all Kiwi. All Kiwi with international connections,” he said.
“We are gonna have 37 thousand witnesses. And the whole city will be vibrating to this concert, let alone reverberating around the world.”
He also acknowledged government and iwi support behind the event.
“The New Zealand government have also got behind the show and Christchurch City and venues Ōtautahi and of course I want to acknowledge the local Iwi,” he said.
“Very important stakeholders who came together with everyone to make it happen.”
Synthony conductor Sarah Grace Williams, introduced on stage as “SG”, described the power of performing with a full orchestra behind Six60.
“There is nothing like live music,” she said.
“Without an audience, we do not have the core to our soul.”
Standing in front of an expanded orchestra, she said the force of the sound was hard to describe.
“It is this immense raw power,” Williams said.
When asked about the experience, she said, “It is like having a V8 up your bum. Actually it might be a V12. Well, you know what it will be on May 16 cause you know we are doubling, more than doubling the size of the orchestra of what you just saw.”
Once In a Lifetime - the details
May 16, 2026 - One NZ Stadium, Christchurch
Featuring SIX60, SYNTHONY, Kaylee Bell, Cassie Henderson, Castaway.
General Public tickets go on sale Thursday, December 11 at midday from ticketmaster.co.nz
Multiple pre-sales will run ahead of the general on-sale. Fans are encouraged to check with participating partners for full pre-sale details and access information.
Monday, December 8, 10am- runs through to 12pm Thursday, December 11 or until allocation is exhausted. Mānuka Phuel. Kiwibank Visa Cardholder
Tuesday, December 9, 10am - runs through to 10am Tuesday, December 16 or until allocation is exhausted. One NZ Customer
Tuesday, December 9, 12pm - runs through to 12pm Thursday, December 11 or until allocation is exhausted. My Ticketmaster, Rova, Once in a Lifetime Sign up at onceinalifetime.co.nz
Stuff.co.nz is a media partner with Duco Events for Once In A Lifetime