A Year of Saturdays: live music to happen every week at The Bond Store

Every now and then, there’s a moment where you realise momentum is in action. Not necessarily because of one big, defining announcement, but because a series of decisions and conversations begin to point in the same direction.

This feels like one of those moments for Mostly Music.

Over the past two summers, we’ve partnered with The Bond Store and programmed their Saturday Sounds series, which began as a seasonal offering designed to bring live music into a relaxed, social setting while the weather played ball. What’s been building over that time, however, goes beyond atmosphere or entertainment; it has been beautifully demonstrating that when live music is done well, people respond to it, stay for it, and build it into their experience of a place.

We’ve now had confirmation that The Bond Store wants to continue hosting live music throughout the year, and that decision carries real weight that ought to be celebrated. It reflects increased patronage, yes, but more importantly it signals a deeper recognition of the role that live music can play in shaping a venue’s identity and drawing people in with intention. What it tells us about The Bond Store is that the hard work they’ve been doing to get people along to their tasting room is really paying off.

For those of us who have been advocating for a stronger and more visible music ecosystem on the Kāpiti Coast, this is a significant moment. Live music is so often treated as something supplementary — an added bonus rather than a core offering — and here’s what makes regular live music at The Bond Store different:

• Performers will be announced before they play, and thanked when they finish — either by one of us at Mostly Music (if we manage to make it along), or by one of The Bond Store team

• Photos of each performance will be captured and kept as mementos inside on a photo wall — signalling that this is something which is treasured in that space

• Emphasis will be given to local musicians who bring something exciting, unique, and engaging. But there’s room for visiting musicians too.

From where we’re sitting, this move suggests a shift towards seeing it as something worth investing in, programming consistently, and building around. We are proud to be working with The Bond Store to create this space and make this happen, and we’re grateful for their dedication to our own vision for live music in our backyard.

In response, we are moving quickly to shape a lineup for May that aligns with New Zealand Music Month, with a particular focus on original artists from Kāpiti and Horowhenua. The intention here is not simply to fill a calendar, but to create meaningful opportunities for local musicians to present their work in a consistent and visible way, while also encouraging audiences to engage more deeply with the music being created within their own communities. There is some incredible music being made in our own backyard, so let’s stop streaming AI music!

Beyond May, the opportunity is to extend this into something ongoing: something that artists and audiences alike can come to rely on as part of the cultural rhythm of the Coast. Establishing regular live music is not just about frequency, it’s about building familiarity, trust, and a sense of place around the experience of music. And as that 1990’s Pantene ad with Rachel Hunter once said, “it won’t happen overnight, but it will happen.”

Alongside this development, we’re also thrilled to share that The Bond Store will once again host our 2026 Soundscape Series. Last year’s series created a very particular kind of space that prioritised listening, connection, and intention. The response from both audiences and artists made it clear that there is an appetite for that kind of experience here, and we can’t wait to do it again.

To be invited back into the same venue, with the support to continue and evolve that series, feels like a strong endorsement of what was created and what it has the potential to become.

Mostly Music has always been about more than simply spreading the word about local live music. It has been about advocating for the role of music within our communities, increasing its visibility, and creating pathways for it to be valued more consistently across the board. Much of that work can feel incremental and, at times, one-directional, requiring ongoing effort to demonstrate impact and build belief.

There is still a great deal of work to be done, particularly in ensuring that this momentum is sustainable and continues to benefit artists, venues, and audiences alike. But there is also a sense that something is beginning to take hold, and that the foundations laid over time are starting to support something more visible and enduring. We are so proud to be part of that.

And in the words of The Bond Store, “So cheers to that!”