15 October 2024 - 0 Comments

The latest instalment of One NZ and Live Nation's upcoming artist showcase, Ones To Watch, has been announced to return to Auckland’s Big Fan on Wednesday, October 30th.

The three up-and-coming artists performing will be Reiki Ruawai, Crystal and Sam Cullen.

Reiki Ruawai, a bona fide talent in the eclectic music circles of New Zealand, has carved out a niche all his own, transitioning from the natural landscapes of Raglan to the dynamic urbanity of Mt Eden, Auckland. Drawing from his diverse musical influences and experiences, he brings a captivating blend of indie/pop, R&B, infused with the spirit of dance and the depth of soul. With his enchanting vocals and soul-drenched melodies, accompanied by his charismatic presence, Reiki Ruawai is a musical journeyman. He’s quickly gaining recognition as a compelling artist on the rise - his rapidly growing audience of 69k Spotify listeners per month reflects this. 

Sam Cullen’s sound is far from what you might expect of a 24-year-old born and raised on the edge of the world in Invercargill. With genuine lyrics drawn from home and a rock and roll meets pop driving energy, the now Auckland-based artist is a force to be reckoned with. Sam wears his heart on his sleeve with this body of work with songs about growing up and homesickness while figuring himself out a little more. Over the past 4 years, he has steadily climbed the ladder of success; releasing three EP’s, playing on some of New Zealand’s biggest stages (including the main stage at R&V), selling out a number of headline shows and playing support slots around the country. Following a massive 10-date solo tour of NZ in 2023, this next era introduces a 5-piece live band that brings an incomparable onstage energy. 
 
Hailing from Te Whanganui-a-tara and now based in Tāmaki Makaurau, is the upcoming alternative pop artist and producer Crystal. Bringing introspective lyricism to the forefront in a blend of pop, electronic and indie, Crystal uses her platform to create music which navigates the hardships of growing up and the pressures of expectation. Having always been drawn to music and anything creative, she started her music project in 2019 playing notable festivals Cuba Dupa and Newtown Festival before having released any music online. 2024 has been a big year for the artist, having featured as an “up-and-coming Aotearoa artist”on Rolling Stone Australia, making her mark on Auckland’s live music scene opening for artists including Somber Hills, Frankie Venter and skinnyandsoft, and most importantly, releasing her latest EP Dead Ends - Crystal is solidifying herself as one of Aotearoa's most exciting new artists on the rise. 

Following a successful year of showcases throughout Tamaki Makaurau and most recently Pōneke, Wellington, Ones To Watch returns to Auckland’s live music venue Big Fan with a hand-picked lineup of stellar talent. Ones To Watch is consistently highlighting the flourishing music scene in Aotearoa. Since inception, the programme has an incredible slate of musicians under its belt. A variety of genres have been featured, from pop to indie, rock to hip hop, showcasing Aotearoa’s best when it comes to local music.
 
Launched in 2017 in the United States, Ones To Watch has helped boost the careers of artists now reaching global stages, including international superstars Olivia Rodrigo, Dua Lipa and Gracie Abrams, as well as kiwi trailblazers BENEE, Leisure and Georgia Lines. 

Past artists are added to the Ones To Watch homepage, where updates and information on them is regularly updated, exposing them to a wide audience of music lovers worldwide. 

After launching an exclusive long-term partnership in 2019, Live Nation Australasia and One New Zealand have provided One NZ customers access to Live Nation’s entertainment portfolio including music, family and comedy tours and festivals across the country. The strategic multi-year partnership is committed to bringing the best live experiences to New Zealand and the best New Zealand artists to the world. The unique emerging talent platform of Ones To Watch builds on this strong partnership and a mutual dedication to support grassroots initiatives.

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