Inside the Soundscape Series
The Mostly Music Soundscape Series came about because we had a long list of incredible musicians that we wanted everyone to be able to enjoy here in the provinces, and because The Bond Store were keen to give it a go with us. From the beginning it has been about creating experiences — intentional, intimate and deeply connected to the role music plays in shaping community, culture and identity here in Kāpiti.
As we embark on the 2026 series, this year we feel ready to bring this concept to audiences again, and excited for people who aren’t yet familiar to see what it’s all about.
Across six carefully curated events, audiences will experience a broad range of sound worlds: folk, jazz, soul, classical, funk, rock and beyond. Each performance has been chosen with purpose. Not just because the artists are talented — though they absolutely are — but because they have something meaningful to say through music, and they deserve a listening audience to do that. Soundscape is designed for people who want more than background noise. It is for listeners who want to lean in, discover something new, and feel connected to the music and the people creating it.
In a world increasingly dominated by algorithms, disposable content and passive consumption, there is something satisfying about sitting in a room with artists sharing music in real time. Being present. Escaping reality for a short while. Experiencing the emotion and provocation of music first hand.
This series is just one of the many things we seem to keep adding to our growing list of ‘things we do’. We are full of ideas, but the tank is dry. Where last year’s Soundscape Series was supported by the Creative Communities scheme, this year’s is not. We are relying on music lovers showing up to support (aka buying tickets) and we also have two specific sponsorship opportunities to offer.
Sponsor the Soundscape Series
We’ve created two simple, meaningful ways for local businesses to support the Mostly Music Soundscape Series, while aligning themselves with creativity, community, and the future of live music in Kāpiti.
These are not “logo on a poster” sponsorships. They’re tangible contributions that directly support the artists and atmosphere that make Soundscape special.
“Buy the Band a Drink” Sponsor — $300
Help us look after the artists behind the music.
This sponsorship covers a modest bar tab for each set of performers across the Soundscape Series — a small gesture that helps create a warm, welcoming environment for performers after they step off stage.
It’s about hospitality, manaakitanga, and supporting musicians in a way that feels human and genuine.
Includes:
Recognition across the series as the official hospitality sponsor
Mention at each event by Mostly Music
Logo placement on selected promotional material and social media
Association with a highly curated local arts initiative
A great fit for businesses who value connection, culture, and community spirit.
Emerging Artist Sponsor — $600
Invest in the next generation of local music.
Each Soundscape event opens with a short performance from a young local musician — giving emerging performers the opportunity to experience a professional live music environment, perform to attentive audiences, and grow their confidence and profile.
This sponsorship directly covers those performance fees across the series.
By supporting this initiative, your business becomes part of creating real pathways for young artists in Kāpiti.
Includes:
Recognition as the Emerging Artist Sponsor for the full series
Acknowledgement at every event before the opening performance
Logo placement on promotional content and social media
Association with youth development, creativity, and community impact
A strong opportunity for businesses wanting to visibly support local talent and future creative leaders.
Why partner with Soundscape?
The Mostly Music Soundscape Series is intentionally curated, intimate, and community-focused. It champions original music, creates opportunities for artists at different stages of their careers, and contributes to a thriving local cultural ecosystem.
Supporting Soundscape is a way to stand behind the arts locally — not just in words, but through meaningful action.
Kāpiti’s music ecosystem continues to grow, but ecosystems only thrive when there are opportunities at every level. We need spaces for established artists to present ambitious work, but we also need pathways for emerging performers to step into professional environments, gain confidence and build experience.
That is why we decided to open each Soundscape event with a young local performer.
This initiative is one of the aspects of the series we are most proud of. These opening sets are not token gestures or background entertainment. They are intentional opportunities for the next generation of artists to experience what it feels like to perform in a curated live setting, in front of an attentive audience, alongside respected musicians. For many young performers, opportunities like this can become pivotal moments — the kind that build belief, inspire ambition, and create momentum.
The series is also intentionally intimate.
Hosted inside at The Bond Store, the environment allows audiences to engage differently with live music. Seated, close to the performers, and free from many of the distractions that come with larger venues, these shows invite people to truly listen. Every detail matters — the atmosphere, the storytelling, the pacing of the night, and the way each artist complements the next.
Curating a series like this takes significant time, energy and care. It is not the easiest way to run live music events, and it is certainly not the most commercially driven model. But we believe experiences like this matter deeply. They help create cultural value in our region. They encourage audiences to trust local programming. They provide meaningful opportunities for artists. And they contribute to a richer, healthier creative community overall.
Mostly Music exists because we believe music is not an optional extra in community life — it is part of the social fabric that helps people feel connected to where they live and to each other. The Soundscape Series is an expression of that belief.
We would love for you to experience it with us.
