About Redemption

A summer celebration of roots reggae and seafood on the Whakatāne waterfront.

Nothing like it in the Bay

There's never been a festival like Redemption in the Eastern Bay. For one day only, Mataatua Reserve becomes the stage, with the river on one side, the ocean on the other and Whakatāne's coastline glowing as the sun goes down. Some of Aotearoa's biggest roots and reggae names will play right here on the waterfront, with fresh seafood in hand and the whole whānau around you. This is the first one. Be there to say you were.

Hori Shaw’s homecoming sundowner set into 1814 under the stars. That’s the night everyone will be talking about.

Iconic moments

The first Redemption only happens once. Get in early and be part of the start of something special.

Year one

Where the awa meets the moana, with golden hour over the water as the headliners take the stage.

A setting you won’t forget

Meet the lineup

1814

From the hills around Northland’s Whangaroa Harbour, 1814 have been bringing their Kiwi flavoured reggae to stages across Aotearoa and Australia since 2004. Their debut album Jah Rydem made them a national favourite, and songs like Picture on the Wall have become singalong anthems. They’ve played Rhythm and Vines, WOMAD and Byron Bay Bluesfest, and shared stages with Damian Marley, Nas and Third World. Their message of peace, love and unity is right at home at Redemption.

HORI SHAW

Hori Shaw is just down the road from us. He’s the Ōpōtiki reggae soul artist whose rise has captured the heart of Aotearoa. After a hunting accident left him learning to walk again, music became his voice. Since his breakout in 2024 he’s had multiple number ones on the Aotearoa Top 20 and gold certified singles including Country Roads and Paradise. Raw, real and proudly East Coast, this is a homecoming set you won’t want to miss.

Born in Whangārei and raised beneath Koro Ruapehu in Raetihi, Brutha Rodz brings soulful roots reggae with lyrics that carry real stories. He made his name with Common Unity and Cool Meditation on stages like One Love and Raggamuffin, before his hit Heart of a Lion launched his solo career.

Brutha Rodz

Taupō’s Classick J brings smooth reggae soul and plenty of heart, and he’s the voice alongside Hori Shaw on the hit Country Roads.

Classick J

A founding member of Trinity Roots, Rio played bass and sang on their platinum albums True and Home, Land and Sea. He’s behind the decks between sets, keeping the vibe rolling all day.