Homegrown putting Hamilton ‘on the map’ says event boss

Monday, 16 March 2026

As many as 25,000 music lovers rocked out at Hamilton’s Homegrown on Saturday, and event organiser Andrew Tuck said he’s already eyeing expansion plans for next year’s event.

The Waikato Times spoke to the Homegrown head honcho on Sunday as he helped dismantle the event stages after what he said was one of the best Homegrowns he’d been part of.

This year’s event saw performances from LAB, Sons of Zion, Hamilton rockers Devilskin, Six60, Katchafire, Supergroove and more.

Tuck said that while it was too early for specific crowd numbers, he believed the turnout was between 23,000 and 25,000.

Homegrown chief Andrew Tuck said he was blown away with the event’s return to Hamilton, and that they’re already thinking of a bigger event for next year.

The crowd was cheering for Hori Shaw at Homegrown on Saturday. Pictured in the centre is Libby Burne.

He said they will spend the next week running the rule over the event but already he was thinking “yes, we can increase the numbers”.

Tuck said he was blown away with the event and that it was particularly special to be back in Hamilton where the event first started.

Villainy plays as the sun sets at the Jim Beam Rock Stage.

“We were proud to be in Wellington for 18 years. What many don’t know however is that our roots are right here in the Waikato. Homegrown began here as X-Air by the Waikato River, and like many of our team, I’m a local Hamiltonian,” he said.

“In many ways, this feels like a homecoming, and we’re humbled to have the support of Ngaati Wairere and Tainui in making Claudelands Oval our home for what we hope will be the next decade.”

“The crowd came in, really happy, full of joy, big smiles, and they were well behaved through the whole night. Everybody I spoke to said the, the site looked incredible.”

Devilskin performed on the Jim Beam Rock Stage. Pictured is guitarist Tony 'Nail' Vincent.

The good behaviour across the event was also confirmed by police.

“Police are pleased to report no major issues at Homegrown in Hamilton,” a police spokesperson told the Waikato Times.

Ladi6 was part of the Homegrown line-up.

Jasmine Martin, left, and Kirsten Compston were amped.

“Crowds were well behaved.'

Tuck said he was also pleased the event acted as a showcase not just for Kiwi music talent, but for Hamilton too.

“The ability to do what we wanted to do, and showcase and really put Hamilton on that map, give it that pedestal to talk about, I think it did exactly that,” he said.

LAB lead singer and guitarist Joel Shadbolt.

Villainy played as the sun set at the Jim Beam Rock Stage.

Bill Carroll, 58, from Hamilton, had seen all the bands before and was enjoying the atmosphere.

“It was all over media, all over socials, so it really made Hamilton stand out in a different light, which is what it's needed to do, showcase how cool it is.”

He also said a change for this year’s event, having one ‘green room’ for all the artists to share, gave the performances a real shot in the arm.

“It's the first time they've ever had a green room together, so every genre all were in one room, and that just amped everybody up,” he said.

“So everybody that went out there absolutely centred and it was really cool. One band would come off [stage] high five, next one would go on and it was just a really, really good atmosphere.”

“It was one of the better ones that I’ve really, really enjoyed.”

The event also succeeded with one of its key promises to punters - thirsty festival goers could get their beer within 60 seconds.

Tuck also said he was looking forward to next year’s event.

“Hamilton is its new home, and yeah we’re excited to come back and do something equally as exciting.”