The Week of Port Noise Events Announced - Kauranga Oro, Night Before, Family Time, Beacons

Generously expanding the Port Noise palette beyond the one-day, multi-venue format established from 2023 onwards, The Week of Port Noise is a diverse new programme of events and installations, orbiting and intertwined with Ōhinehou / Lyttelton's premier arts and music festival in 2025. Commencing with Kauranga Oro — Erika Grant and Ariana Tikau merging "ancient healing power of taonga pūoro with the deep resonance of gong baths" — at Lyttelton Arts Factory, The Week of Port Noise also includes Night Before, a pre-festival evening of sonically unbound special guests at Lyttelton Coffee Company, a whānau-friendly Family Time celebration of the songs of beloved Scottish poet / songwriter / humorist (and John Peel favourite) Ivor Cutler played by Slightly Imperfect, and the luminous Beacons installation at the festival itself created by multi-disciplinary artist / designer Rowan Pierce. Port Noise 2025 is truly shaping up to be an adventurously curated local extravaganza like none other, we recommend nabbing tickets early as you don't need the stress of scrambling for a spot later...

"We felt one afternoon and night simply is not enough for us, so we’re happy to announce ‘The Week of Port Noise’. It’s our first go at expanding our festival outward, hosting accessible and diverse arts experiences that simply cannot function in a bustling carpark and courtyard full of excitement and noise. We also are announcing a sculptural installation designed by Pōneke artist Rowan Pierce".

KAURANGA ORO
Thursday 27th February - , Ōhinehou / Lyttelton
On the evening of Thursday 27th, Erika Grant and Ariana Tikau perform at Lyttelton Arts Factory. Together, they build a transformative experience that merges the ancient healing power of taonga pūoro with the deep resonance of gong baths.
Tickets on sale HERE via UTR

NIGHT BEFORE
Friday 28th February - Lyttelton Coffee Company, Ōhinehou / Lyttelton
On the evening of Friday 28th, the eve of our main event, we bring you a selection of soft and sharp sonic curiosities at Lyttelton Coffee Company. Sounds provided by Peter Wright and Bruce Russell's tone-wrangling duo – The Escalation, sound artist and head of Melbourne / Naarm's Nice Music Label – Simon J Karis, and Tāmaki based audio-visual artist Ducklingmonster.
Tickets on sale HERE via UTR

FAMILY TIME
Saturday 1st March - Union Chapel, Ōhinehou / Lyttelton (morning)
On the morning of March 1st, we have an event catered for the entire family at Union Chapel. Slightly Imperfect present the songs of Ivor Cutler in a surreal and gentle playground of laughing boxes, toys, gongs, bells and whirring pipes. Along with theatrical elements they aim to create a strange and intriguing performance that appeals to all ages. Be ready for absurdity and childlike enchantment. Snacks and tea provided.
Tickets on sale HERE via UTR

BEACONS
Saturday 1st March - Port Noise Festival, Ōhinehou / Lyttelton
At our main event, we present an installation we commissioned Tāmaki based artist, and our good pal, Rowan Pierce to design. Set against the expanse of Whangaraupō Harbour, Beacons is a luminous art installation that explores connection across distance. Two industrial structures—stoic and unmoving by day— house delicate cores that awaken as the sun dips below the horizon. As twilight deepens, the structures begin to converse, transmitting messages in Morse code. Their dialogue echoes the silent exchanges of loved ones separated by oceans, the quiet reassurances sent across time zones, the longing of friends divided by geography.

PORT NOISE 2025
Saturday 1st March - various venues, Ōhinehou / Lyttelton
Featuring... Closing, Craigslist, David Kilgour & The Heavy Eights, Elliot & Vincent, Farewell Spit, Jim Nothing, O/PUS, Mr Meaty Boy, Mokotron, Ngāsti, Pachyman, Pearly*, Sarah Mary Chadwick, Simon Joyner & The Eucalypts, TJOPI&HK, Uncle Quentin, Vanessa Worm
Tickets on sale HERE via UTR
 

Elevate your spirits with the extraordinary and original Ivor Cutler's performance of 'Shoplifters'...