A chill classical music series featuring up-and-coming Pōneke talent
The Racket Lounge, a chill classical music series for up-and-coming Pōneke talent, is back for another year!
We hope you come along for a third year in a row to grab a spot on our couch and enjoy the noise at The Racket Lounge, a chill classical music series featuring up-and-coming Pōneke musicians across genres. After four incredible debut sessions in 2024 and four more in 2025, we'll be back at Bedlam & Squalor in 2026 for four more, all featuring their own unique blend of cross-genre performances. From classical to pop covers, video game soundtracks to original compositions, there'll be something for everyone to sink their teeth into at The Racket Lounge.
EVENTS:
CHOOSE YOUR PRICE:
Even if you've never been to a classical music concert before, this one is for you. With our 'Choose your price' ticketing model you can afford to give it a go - and you might even find something you like!
Our tickets range from $5 to $100, just pick the ticket price you feel like paying. At The Racket Lounge, we believe everyone should have access to high-quality but affordable art. If you're a bit strapped for cash right now, but still want a good night out, no worries! Just book yourself a $5 ticket! If you can afford to pay a little more and want to do some good for your community, then pick one of our higher ticket prices and rest assured that your dollars are going towards funding great, accessible art in your city.
All proceeds from ticket sales will go directly into presenting the next Racket Lounge, including paying musicians and artists, hiring instruments and marketing costs. Plus, by choosing a higher price point, you're ensuring that we're able to continue to offer tickets at a lower price point for those who need it.
CLASSICAL PATHWAYS
The New Zealand String Quartet Trust is proud to present and facilitate this unique series. We're throwing open the stage for students and emerging musicians and composers to work and perform alongside established industry musicians. The 2024 & 2025 Racket Lounge series saw students and recent graduates from the New Zealand School of Music collaborate with musicians from the New Zealand String Quartet, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and Royal New Zealand Air Force Band. Plus, each year The Racket Lounge is curated and produced by a tertiary music student or recent graduate who works part-time in the NZSQ office. In 2026, we're pleased to have Caoimhe Lane on board to fill this role.
The Racket Lounge is more than just a stage, its an exciting opportunity for cross-generational and cross-genre collaboration and professional development for Wellington's incredible emerging musicians.
APPLY TO PERFORM
Artist expressions of interest for the 2026 Racket Lounge are open now!
If you're a classical or jazz musician or composer looking for a chance to experiment and get creative in a laid-back, non-traditional concert setting, this one's for you. Hosted at Bedlam & Squalor (above the Rogue & Vagabond), we welcome audiences, composers and performers back for another four concerts full of innovative, fun, and chill music. Over the past two years we've seen performances that included violin and loop pedal, arrangements of video game music for jazz quintet, song cycles written by local composers, Haydn quartets and more, so we encourage you to think outside the box and get creative!
Performers can perform in an ensemble or as a soloist and you are free to perform whatever you would like to! This space is for you, and we will support your artistic endeavours. Composers can write/present works to be played at The Racket Lounge by performers of their choice, or we can help you find players!
Artists will invoice the flat fee of $100 (+ GST if applicable). The sessions will be on Wednesdays from 6:30pm and each session will run for no longer than two hours with breaks in between the acts to grab another beverage. :)
KEY DATES 2026:
3 JUN
17 JUN
EOI's close for first session.
First session takes place at Bedlam & Squalor.
1 JUL
15 JUL
EOI's close for second session.
Second session takes place at Bedlam & Squalor.
26 AUG
9 SEP
EOI's close for third session.
Third session takes place at Bedlam & Squalor.
23 SEP
7 OCT
EOI's close for fourth session.
Fourth session takes place at Bedlam & Squalor.
QUESTIONS
If you have any questions about the process of submitting an Expression of Interest in performing at The Racket Lounge, please get in touch with us at events@nzsq.org.nz
