ABOUT US

🎸 ABOUT ROCKSTOCK

Rockstock is a family-friendly rock, tattoo, art, and food festival built for people who love loud guitars, great grub, good company, and a proper community atmosphere.

Held across major cities in Aotearoa New Zealand, Rockstock was created with a simple purpose: to make rock events affordable, welcoming, and accessible again.

As festival prices continue to climb, too many working families are being priced out of the live music experiences they love. Rockstock exists to change that. We focus on extreme value for money, fair ticketing, reasonably priced food, and a safe festival environment where you can bring your mates, your kids, your partner, or the whole family.

Think of Rockstock as a big backyard BBQ with your family and friends, except there are a tonne of awesome bands playing.

BY THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE

Rockstock events are produced by Rail Records and Premier Productions in conjunction with the Aotearoa Community Event Trust, also known as ACE Trust.

Together, we are building events that put community first and keep the focus where it belongs: on the fans, the artists, the bands, the families, and the local people who make each city unique.

We are proud to say that Rockstock does not price gouge. We are strongly against corporate interference in community culture, and we believe live music should still feel real, grounded, and accessible.

Our promise is to bring you a safe, fun, affordable day of entertainment that can be enjoyed with your mates and your family.

THE MUSIC

At the heart of Rockstock is live music. Each event primarily features one or two national original headline bands, supported by a strong lineup of tribute acts celebrating some of the biggest names in rock, punk, metal, alternative, and heavy music.

The tribute acts and headline bands help bring in a packed audience, creating a built-in crowd for emerging local talent.

ACE Trust helps coordinate local support acts and works with the team at Rockquest to give youth bands the chance to perform in front of a real festival audience.

This matters because tomorrow’s great bands need stages today. By placing youth and local acts alongside established performers and crowd-pulling tribute acts, Rockstock helps create a healthier, more sustainable pathway for young musicians and local bands to gain exposure, confidence, and momentum.

MORE THAN A MUSIC FESTIVAL

Rockstock is not just about the bands. It is a celebration of rock culture in all its forms.

Alongside the music, our events support tattooists, visual artists, makers, and creatives working across a wide range of styles and disciplines.

ACE Trust helps facilitate space for national and local artists, including free booths and showcase areas where possible, giving creatives a platform to share their work with the Rockstock crowd.

From live tattooing and art displays to food vendors, competitions, themed dress-ups, and family activities, Rockstock is designed to feel alive from the moment the gates open.

INDOOR AND OPEN-AIR EVENTS

Rockstock runs two main types of festivals.

During winter, our indoor festivals are usually held in local town halls, sports centres, and community venues. These events bring the full Rockstock atmosphere indoors, with live bands, tattooists, artists, food, competitions, and a safe all-weather environment.

In the warmer months, our open-air events take place at local domains, reserves, and outdoor community spaces.

These festivals create the full backyard-BBQ-meets-rock-festival experience, with open-air stages, food vendors, art, tattoo culture, family activities, and a full day of music.

Both formats are built around the same kaupapa: affordable rock events with strong community roots, great entertainment, and a welcoming atmosphere for all ages.

OUR COMMITMENT

Rockstock is committed to keeping live rock culture accessible in Aotearoa.

We know it is hard out there, and we know families are watching every dollar. That is why we work hard to keep our events affordable without losing the energy, quality, or excitement that makes a festival worth attending.

We believe rock music belongs to the people. We believe young bands deserve real opportunities. We believe artists, tattooists, and local creatives deserve space to be seen.

Most of all, we believe families should be able to enjoy a great day out without being priced out before they even get through the gate.

That is Rockstock: loud, local, affordable, creative, family-friendly, and proudly community-driven.

GET INVOLVED

If you are a band, artist, tattooist, vendor, volunteer, sponsor, community group, or supporter who wants to be part of Rockstock, we would love to hear from you.

Email: contact@railrecords.net

MORE THAN A MUSIC FESTIVAL