The chase for Dunedin’s next headline stadium act is over after a nearly 1000 day drought.
By Tess Brunton of RNZ
Award-winning drum and bass duo Chase & Status will play their largest New Zealand concert when they hit the stage at Forsyth Barr Stadium in March.
With more than 2.5 billion streams worldwide, English act Chase & Status have headlined Glastonbury's Other Stage, the 2026 Formula 1 British Grand Prix and arenas around the globe.
The March 5 South Island show will mark exactly three years since the city was tickled P!nk in 2024 - the last artist to headline the stadium despite Elton John, Ed Sheeran, Kendrick Lamar, and Fleetwood Mac previously gracing the stage.
Dunedin Venues chief executive Phil King said this marked the start of Ōtepoti becoming the must-play city.
"When I said I believed a golden age of events was coming to Forsyth Barr Stadium, this is exactly what I meant," he said.
"Chase & Status are one of the most powerful live acts on the planet, and they're bringing that show to a fully roofed stadium built for a night like this.
"Forsyth Barr Stadium is the stage the whole South shows up for. We're big enough for the world's best acts, with the kind of Southern hospitality you won't find anywhere else: warm, friendly, and always going above and beyond."
Drum and bass became a soundtrack for the scarfies with the city hosting international artists including Noisia and DJ Scientific and fostering a generation of local djs from the early 2000s.
In March, council-owned company Dunedin Venues announced that it had signed a 10-year deal with Ticketek as an exclusive ticketing partner for the stadium, Dunedin Town Hall and Glenroy Auditorium.
It was welcome news after Christchurch's new stadium opened earlier this year with Six60, Robbie Williams and the Foo Fighters in the line up.
Ticketek Entertainment Group chief executive Cameron Hoy signalled there was plenty more to come for the southern city.
"For us, it’s about putting more world-class entertainment on the region’s doorstep and making it easy for fans to discover a show, buy tickets and enjoy the night," he said.
Dunedin Mayor Sophie Barker said it was the start of an exciting new chapter for the city and stadium.
“An event of this scale brings thousands of visitors into our city, and with them comes a real economic boost for our hotels, restaurants, bars, retailers and local businesses," she said.
"It's a chance to show visitors everything Dunedin has to offer, from our heritage and harbour to our food and nightlife."
The announcement was quickly followed by news rock icon Bryan Adams would perform his acoustic Bare Bones show at the Dunedin Town Hall on March 13 2027.
Phil King said the announcements were huge for the city.
“Two very different shows, two world-class artists, one month," he said.
"Whether you’re in the stadium for Chase & Status or in the Town Hall for an unforgettable night with Bryan Adams, March 2027 is shaping up as a massive month for live music in Dunedin, and for our local economy which greatly benefits when fans come to town."
Chase & Status, who won the British Producer of the Year at the 2024 BRIT Awards, received government backing through its one-off events attraction package.
Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston said it helped the regions benefit from showstopper events that attracted visitors, supported local businesses and put the spotlight on New Zealand as a world-class destination for live entertainment.
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