The “Full Metal Orchestra” phenomenon is expanding from arenas to the great outdoors. Following sold-out performances in Auckland and Christchurch earlier this year, organizers have announced the Mānuka Phuel Full Metal Orchestra Rock Festival, a major open-air event scheduled for Saturday, March 7, 2026, at the iconic Bowl of Brooklands in New Plymouth, New Zealand.
The festival promises a high-octane fusion of symphonic grandeur and hard rock fury. At the center of the storm is the Full Metal Orchestra, a supergroup featuring legendary AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd and former Shihad frontman Jon Toogood.
Backed by a full orchestra and a powerhouse five-piece band—including The Come Together Band, Milan Borich, Jennie Skulander, and Seamus Johnson—the collective will perform orchestral arrangements of heavy metal classics. The setlist is expected to include anthems from titans like Metallica, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Tool, Van Halen, and naturally, AC/DC.
Beyond the orchestral headliner, the day will feature full live sets from top-tier New Zealand rock acts Devilskin and Blindspott, along with a DJ set by Kane Hawkins.
David Higgins, founder of Duco Events, described the move to an outdoor venue as the logical next step for the production.
“The response to Mānuka Phuel Full Metal Orchestra has been beyond anything we anticipated,” Higgins stated. “Turning this into a full rock festival was the natural progression and there’s no better place to debut it than the Bowl. This will be a milestone moment for New Zealand live music.”
Alex McDonald, co-creator of the event’s partner Mānuka Phuel, echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the scale of this new iteration.
“Mānuka Phuel is delighted to be partnering once again with FMO to bring Mānuka Phuel Full Metal Orchestra Rock Festival to Taranaki next March,” McDonald said. “The shows in Auckland and Christchurch this year were nothing short of spectacular. We’re excited to be scaling up — bringing the show outdoors, festival style, with New Zealand’s best rock acts, it’s going to be a night to remember.”
Tickets for the general public will be available starting Thursday, December 18, at 10 a.m. through fullmetalorchestra.com.
