05 June 2024 - 0 Comments

"After over a decade of having a major gap in our venue offering, we are finally getting the venue our city is desperate for…” - Tamatha Paul, MP for Wellington Central, Green Party

Meow Nui, a new 1000-person plug-and-play venue in Central Wellington.

Brought to you by the team behind Meow, Wellington’s longest-running independent music venue.

Doors open for the first time on Friday, 30 August, and Saturday, 31 August, with two performances from Drax Project, followed by The Beths on Saturday, 28 September.

Introducing Meow Nui, a unique, independently owned events space located at 92 Vivian Street, Te Aro, Wellington. This venture is brought to you by Damian Jones and Rahine O’Rielly, the family behind Meow, Wellington’s longest-running independent music venue. Meow Nui stands out as a 1000-person capacity, plug-and-play venue managed by a team with over sixteen years of experience in the local music, arts, and culture communities and the broader New Zealand and Australian entertainment sectors.

"I'm so pleased that Pōneke is getting a brand new mid-sized venue. I know from conversations with the community that the lack of a venue of this sort has hit the creative sector hard.”- Mayor Tory Whanau

Five years in the making, Damian began working towards Meow Nui in 2019. Drawing from his experience in venue ownership, event promotion, and band management, he recognised a significant demand for a multi-purpose, medium-sized space in the capital.

On Friday, 30 August, and Saturday, 31 August, Meow Nui will open its doors to the public with two performances from the Wellington band Drax Project. Purveyors of R&B-influenced jazz-pop, Drax Project first came to international prominence in the late 2010's through their hit singles Woke Up Late, Catching Feelings, and Firefly.

"A venue of this size is overdue in Wellington and we’re super stoked to be christening Meow Nui’s stage. We have played some great shows at Meow over the years, and we’re excited to be working with their team to help launch their new venue.” - Drax Project

A month later, Meow Nui will also host the well-regarded Auckland indie-rock band The Beths on Saturday, 28 September. The winners of Best Group at the recent Aotearoa Music Awards, The Beths arrive at Meow Nui off the back of an acclaimed performance at Coachella 2024 and touring North America. You can expect more Meow Nui show announcements coming soon.

"I'm very excited to hear the team behind Meow is opening a new, larger venue. It provides an asset for the Wellington music landscape that has been glaringly absent. I can’t wait for The Phoenix Foundation to play there.” - Samuel F. Scott, Musician, The Phoenix Foundation

Just a short walk from Cuba Street or Courtney Place, Meow Nui is housed inside the award-winning Citadel building, originally designed for the Salvation Army by Warren and Mahoney Architects and completed in 1990. Boasting a spacious interior, including a mezzanine level, advanced acoustics, and a vibrant atmosphere, Meow Nui represents the latest stage in Meow’s mission to continue hosting amazing shows in Wellington while supporting the music, arts, and culture communities surrounding them.

"Meow is a Wellington icon, and I’m so excited to see what they do with this new space.” - Mayor Tory Whanau

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