Mānuka Phuel Full Metal Orchestra Rock Festival Set To Take Over Bowl Of Brooklands March 7 2026

Following a sold-out debut at Auckland’s Spark Arena in July of this year and an explosive show at Wolfbrook Arena in Christchurch just last month, Duco Touring, Liberty Stage and presenting partner Mānuka Phuel are proud to unveil the next evolution of the Full Metal Orchestra phenomenon: Mānuka Phuel Full Metal Orchestra Rock Festival, taking over New Plymouth’s iconic Bowl of Brooklands on Saturday 7 March 2026.
Stepping beyond the arena format, Mānuka Phuel Full Metal Orchestra Rock Festival evolves into a full-scale outdoor rock festival, a high-octane collision of orchestral power, pyro-driven spectacle, and Aotearoa’s heaviest hitters. After electrifying audiences nationwide, this next chapter delivers the most ambitious staging yet, uniting a full orchestra, a powerhouse 5-piece band, striking visuals, and a lineup built to shake the Bowl into the night.

A lineup for the ages, Mānuka Phuel Full Metal Orchestra Rock Festival is set to be the biggest iteration yet. Leading the charge is Full Metal Orchestra, featuring ex-AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd, former Shihad frontman Jon Toogood, The Come Together Band, Milan Borich, Jennie Skulander, and Seamus Johnson all combining to deliver earth-shattering renditions of classics from Metallica, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, AC/DC, Tool, Van Halen and more.

They’re joined by a stacked festival bill featuring full live sets from Aotearoa’s biggest rock acts from this century, plus a DJ set from Kane Hawkins keeping the gas on from start to finish.

Blindspott
Formed in 1997, Blindspott are one of New Zealand’s most successful rock/metal bands. Going straight to #1 upon release in 2002, their iconic debut self-titled album Blindspott sold multi-platinum in New Zealand and saw the band tour globally alongside heavy hitters Metallica, Deftones, Avenged Sevenfold and more. Their first hit single, “Nil By Mouth” saw heavy radio and TV play upon release and in 2024, some 23 years after its release it debuted at #2 on the Rock 2000 – the highest charting New Zealand song ever.  Blindspott were the first New Zealand band to have both their first and second albums debut at #1 on the Official New Zealand Music Charts and the first band in history to have their album debut at #1 three times over, most recently in September this year after a sold out Spark Arena show with the Philharmonia Orchestra. Over the past 18 months, the band has released a series of Volumes EP’s accumulating into the Volumes Album due for release in Feb 2026.

Devilskin
Exploding into the mainstream with their double-platinum debut album We Rise (2014), which debuted at #1 and spent over a year in the NZ Top 40, Devilskin have since delivered a run of chart-topping releases Be Like the River (2016), Red (2020)  and RE-EVOLUTION (2025) alongside multiple Aotearoa Music Award nominations and wins, including Rock Artist of the Year and the 2025 People’s Choice Award.
The Hamilton quartet’s power lies in their formidable chemistry: Paul and Nic Martin’s locked-in rhythm section, Nail’s unmistakable guitar work, all led by Jennie Skulander’s enigmatic voice shifting effortlessly from melody to ferocity. Together, Devilskin have cemented their reputation as an unstoppable force, worthy of the world stage.

I Am Giant
Formed in 2008, I Am Giant quickly became a force in the New Zealand and international rock scenes. Their debut album The Horrifying Truth propelled them to the top of the charts, featuring a string of hit singles that resonated with audiences worldwide. Known for their energetic live shows and raw, emotional sound, I Am Giant’s music continues to inspire fans.

Jon Toogood (Unplugged)
Having played over 1,500 shows across his legendary career, former Shihad frontman Jon Toogood strips it back for an intimate, raw and magnetic acoustic set. Blending re-imagined classics with storytelling and his unmistakable presence, it’s a rare chance to experience one of NZ’s greatest rock voices up close.

“The response to Mānuka Phuel Full Metal Orchestra has been beyond anything we anticipated,” says David Higgins, Founder, Duco Events. “Turning this into a full rock festival was the natural progression and there’s no better place to debut it than the Bowl. This will be a milestone moment for New Zealand live music.”

“Mānuka Phuel is delighted to be partnering once again with FMO to bring Mānuka Phuel Full Metal Orchestra Rock Festival to Taranaki next March. The shows in Auckland and Christchurch this year were nothing short of spectacular. We’re excited to be scaling up – bringing the show outdoors, festival style, with New Zealand’s best rock acts, it’s going to be a night to remember” – Alex McDonald, Co-creator Mānuka Phuel

With its natural amphitheatre and storied history of legendary outdoor concerts, the Bowl of Brooklands provides the perfect backdrop for Mānuka Phuel Full Metal Orchestra Rock Festival’s biggest and boldest outing yet. Thanks to the support of New Plymouth District Council and Venture Taranaki, the festival debuts at this iconic venue with world-class production, an explosive orchestral-meets-rock spectacle, and a lineup stacked with some of Aotearoa’s most formidable live acts. Fans are urged to secure tickets early, this is set to be one of 2026’s standout events, and a Bowl of Brooklands takeover like no other.

Mānuka Phuel Full Metal Orchestra Rock Festival
Saturday 7 March 2026 – Bowl of Brooklands, New Plymouth

Full Metal Orchestra ft. Phil Rudd, Jon Toogood, The Come Together Band, Milan Borich, Jennie Skulander, Seamus Johnson
Plus full live sets from Blindspott • Devilskin • I Am Giant • Jon Toogood Unplugged
Kane Hawkins (DJ Set)

Sign up for pre-sale access at fullmetalorchestra.com 
Pre-Sale Begins: Wednesday 17 December 10am
Pre-Sale Ends: Thursday 18 December 9.55am or if pre-sale allocation is exhausted.

General Public tickets go on sale 10am Thursday 18 December from fullmetalorchestra.com

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