Mostly Music Festival of X — coming 2027

Mostly Music is thrilled to share that we have secured funding from Kāpiti Coast District Council to support the development of a brand new music festival for Kāpiti.

This funding gives us the opportunity to bring to life an idea we have been shaping for some time: Festival of X — a flexible, evolving music festival that celebrates Kāpiti through sound, creativity, collaboration and place.

At its heart, Festival of X will be a three-day celebration of music and creative culture, designed to bring people together, showcase local and regional talent, create new performance opportunities, and strengthen Kāpiti’s identity as a place where interesting things happen. The festival will be grounded in live music, but with room to connect across art forms, industries, ideas and community spaces.

So, what does the X stand for?

That’s exactly the point.

The “X” is designed to change. Each festival can lean into a different theme, energy or idea depending on what feels relevant, exciting or timely for Kāpiti. Rather than locking the festival into one fixed identity, Festival of X gives Kāpiti a platform that can grow, respond and evolve — while still keeping music at the centre. Keep an eye out for the announcement of the 2027 theme!

For Mostly Music, this support is a major vote of confidence in the work we have been doing to build visibility for the local music scene. It recognises that live music is not just entertainment; it is part of the cultural, social and economic life of a place. It brings people into our town centres, supports artists and venues, creates reasons to gather, and helps shape the way a region sees itself.

We are incredibly grateful to Kāpiti Coast District Council for backing this idea and investing in the potential of music-led activation in Kāpiti.

There is plenty more to come, including the festival theme, dates, locations, artists, partners and ways to get involved. For now, we are celebrating this exciting first step — and getting ready to build something bold, generous and distinctly Kāpiti.

To ask us questions about the festival, or to get involved as a performer, a contractor or a sponsor, you can reach us at hello@mostlymusic.nz