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Coastal Sounds & Country Vibes

Where coast meats country, the music follows.

From talented local musicians to acclaimed national and international artists, the Whitianga Oceans Festival delivers an exciting lineup of entertainment throughout the day. The marina stage will be alive with toe-tapping tunes, coastal sounds and country vibes, creating the perfect festival soundtrack.

2026 line up!

2026 line up!

A man with a shaved head, beard, and wearing pink sunglasses, a black jacket with white embroidery, white shirt, and jewelry, sitting on a mustard-colored couch against a light green wall.

Brad Cox

Australian country rock powerhouse Brad Cox is heading to the Whitianga Oceans Festival as our headline act.

Hailing from the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales, Brad has become one of Australia’s most celebrated country artists, known for his raw authenticity, powerful vocals and electric live performances. With chart-topping albums, multiple Golden Guitar Awards and sold-out tours across Australia, he’s built a reputation as a must-see act.

From breakout hits like Red Light to his latest releases, Brad continues to push the boundaries of modern country, blending heartfelt storytelling with big, arena-ready sound.

Fresh from major festivals and touring both Australia and the US, Brad Cox is leading the new wave of country rock and bringing that energy straight to the Whitianga Marina.

Learn more about Brad Cox
A man smiling while sitting at a table with a large vintage boombox, with stage lights and smoke in the background, during a music performance or event.
Two musicians performing on stage with one playing a guitar and singing, and the other playing a bass guitar. The stage has various musical equipment, and the background features a wooden ceiling with round lights. The performers are lively and engaging with each other.
A man with a mustache and beard wearing a cowboy hat, red and black plaid shirt, and blue jeans stands against a plain white background, smiling with arms crossed.

The
Western Guide

Meet Aaron Pulemagafa AKA, The Western Guide whose from Samoan descent, and looks decidedly more Waikato than Nashville.

Blending country sound with rich storytelling and cultural depth, The Western Guide is quickly making waves across New Zealand’s music scene. With standout tracks like Bottom of the Bed and Pe Moni Ea — which has surpassed 1 million streams on Spotify — he’s gaining national recognition and bringing a fresh voice to modern country.

A finalist at the 2025 Pacific Music Awards, The Western Guide represents a new era of country music, grounded in values of community, culture and connection.

Learn more about The Western Guide
A band performing on stage with three musicians in the foreground and a drummer in the background. The band members have distinctive punk/rock styles and are playing electric guitars and a keyboard. The stage is dimly lit with colorful lights.

AutoMatic 80’s

Step back into the 80s with AutoMatic 80’s.

New Zealand’s leading live 80s experience is bringing big sound, bold costumes and an electric stage presence to the festival. With iconic hits from legends like Duran Duran, Blondie and Simple Minds, expect sing-along anthems, dancefloor classics and a high-energy set that will have the whole marina buzzing.

Learn more about AutoMatic 80's
A band performs on an outdoor stage with four members, two guitarists, a bassist, and one drummer, during a live music event. Audience members are visible in the foreground, some with blonde curly hair and pink ribbons, enjoying the show.

Vegas Brown

& Band

Whitianga local Vegas Brown brings big energy to the festival stage.

An award-winning, gold-selling artist, Vegas delivers a powerhouse live show alongside his full band, including Shannon Brown of 48May and Tadpole. Expect big vocals, crowd favourites and feel-good anthems that’ll have the whole marina dancing.

Stewart Pedley

A true Whitianga local and familiar face on the Coromandel music scene, Stewart Pedley. With more than 30 years of performing behind him, Stewart’s eclectic sound draws on everything from rock and folk to blues, jazz and New Orleans grooves, with great storytelling always at the heart of his music.

Catch Stewart live on the New World Whitianga Eat Street Stage - the perfect soundtrack while you grab a bite, find a cold drink and soak up the festival atmosphere.

Scotty Stone

A familiar face on the Coromandel live music scene and always a crowd favourite, Scotty Stone is back at Oceans by popular demand! Known for bringing great tunes, plenty of energy and an easy-going festival vibe, Scotty knows how to get a crowd settled in and enjoying themselves. He’s a regular on local stages and has performed at events and venues across the region.

Catch Scotty live on the New World Whitianga Eat Street Stage.

Two men playing guitars on a stage with a drum set behind them at an outdoor event. The man in the center wears sunglasses, a black Hawkins T-shirt, and has curly hair and a beard. The other man has short dark hair and a beard, wearing a black T-shirt and blue jeans.
A band performing on stage, with five members: a male guitarist singing into a microphone, a female vocalist in a red dress, a male bassist with long hair and sunglasses, a male keyboardist, and a drummer in the background. The stage is outdoors with a white canopy overhead.
A band performing on stage with a man playing guitar, another man playing drums, and a woman in a colorful costume with face paint.
A band performs on stage with a male guitarist raising his arms and a female singer holding a microphone. Other band members are playing keyboards and drums. The stage features scaffolding and musical equipment.
A young woman playing an acoustic guitar and singing into a microphone at a tented outdoor event.
Illustration of a fish, a cow head, and a cowboy hat in blue outline style.

Coast Meats County