Wānaka Summer Concert organisers say last Saturday’s (January 31) inaugural event, by all accounts a great day out, provided a taste of Wānaka’s potential as a major music destination. 

Around 10,000 people attended the Wānaka Summer Concert at the Three Parks Outdoor Arena, which featured performances by rock legends Iggy Pop and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, as well as Hoodoo Gurus and ZED. 

Greenstone Entertainment CEO Amanda Calvert told the Wānaka App the event was a tremendous success.

“The weather was glorious, the venue operated smoothly without any traffic issues, and many people remarked on the excellent atmosphere,” she said. 

The event attracted 10,000 people. PHOTO: Wānaka App

The company has resource consent to hold up to three one-day events each year over a five-year period - and planning for next year’s concert has already begun.

“We are excited to build on this inaugural event and look forward to returning to beautiful Wānaka in January 2027,” Amanda said.

Three Parks developer Allan Dippie said it was “just the start of something even bigger and better and more regular”.

He told the Wānaka App there were a lot of artist representatives at the concert “feeling out the venue” and reports were that it was a “ten out of ten”.

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts performing on Saturday afternoon. PHOTO: Jared Donkin

Allan said the concert had attracted a great crowd: “As well as everything else, it was just nice to see people having a good time.”

The atmosphere spilled beyond the stage - many attendees biked, walked, or took buses to the venue, while another 1,000 or so stayed overnight in the camping area near the BP, which had a “great vibe”. 

Local food suppliers, businesses and volunteers helped the event run smoothly, while the wider Wānaka business community saw a surge in accommodation and hospitality bookings from the substantial influx of people.

It is the start of something even “bigger and better”, Three Parks developer Allan Dippie said.

The inaugural concert had reminded him of the early days of Wheels at Wānaka, which began as a modest local event before growing into a major fixture, he said.

The wheels are now in motion to “put Wānaka on the map as a music venue”, he said.