Wānaka band Powder Chutes is playing a headline show in Wānaka this Friday (September 29) to raise funds to record their first full length album.

The emerging young rock band - Archie Orbell (drums), Clarke West (guitar), Henry McConnell (vocals), and Otis Murphy (bass), all aged between 16 and 18 - have booked studio time in October and November.

The band’s latest single, ‘Moths To The Flame’, entered the Hot 20 NZ Singles at number nine, and was voted as No.1730 on The Rock FM 2000.

Reviewers have described the single as "a totally explosive, dynamic and true expression of what pure kiwi hard rock is all about”.

Between May 26 and July 28 ‘Moths’ was in the 40 most played rock songs on New Zealand radio for eight out of 10 weeks; no mean feat for what is essentially still a school - Te Kura o Tititea Mount Aspiring College - band.

The band members haven’t let their age limit their professionalism, music, and live performances.

Powder Chutes opened for ZZ Top, Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo, Stone Temple Pilots and The Angels in front of 16,000 people at the 2023 Gibbston Valley Summer Concert.  

The band will be supported at Friday night’s show at Bullock Bar by Cheap Thrills and SnakeRat.

Proceeds from all door sales and merchandise will help to pay for the recording of Powder Chutes’ first full length album. Tickets available here.