So Where To Today?

Auckland

What: emerson @ Whammy Bar

When: Friday August 22 19:00

This year’s Going Global Festival is a crash course in the best new music from across Aotearoa from a plethora of talent looking to make their mark overseas. Over two nights, 24 acts from every corner of the country hit central Tāmaki Makaurau, pairing homegrown heavyweights like Wiri Donna, There’s A Tuesday, and Anthonie Tonnon with rising names you’ll be bragging about discovering first: Bub, Beth Torrance, Emerson and The Garden Party, Ferby, IVY, NOÉ, and more.

It’s a rare chance to see the most exciting sounds in the country all in one place, with the world’s music industry watching.

How Much:

Who: emerson

Pop

Smashing out her last year of high school in 2024 - a year ahead of schedule- the 18-year-old Smokefree Rockquest national winner (2024) and Play it Strange National Finalist is ready to make 2025 her breakout year as a pop artist who connects deeply with her teenaged fan base.

And she is off to a great start with her first release of the year “You Really Must Hate Me!” which debuted in the #10- spot on the official Aotearoa Hot 20 Singles Chart in February. It has since racked up over 70K streams on Spotify and garnered international attention with four international Spotify Editorial playlists, including hits different, Pop n’ Fresh, Fresh Finds Pop and New Music Friday- Danmark.

Her single “Bored”, debuted in 2024 at #16 on Aotearoa’s Hot 20 chart, and won ZM’s Best Song at last year’s Rockquest National final. “I Want You To Know Me” and accompanying music video, directed by Tom Grut, are supported by NZOA Music for her Rockquest win.

A sought-after songwriter, Emerson has co-written songs with local artists such as Frankie Venter (“I Like it Like That”), Teo Glacier, Keenan Te, Macey, Rosetta and Lottie. In 2024, she was selected to take part in two of Big Fan’s songwriting events: Co-Lab with Georgia Lines and Fan Camp.

Having grown up on the stage as a musical theatre kid and competitive dancer, Emerson is a powerhouse performer. Honing her craft in a variety of successful local indie bands since 2022 as bassist, backup singer, rhythm guitarist and lead singer-songwriter, Emerson’s musical chops are undeniable. She debuted her live act last year when she opened for Bella Rafflyn at The Tuning Fork to a nearly sold out crowd. She played on the Flying Out stage of The Other’s Way Festival and recently opened for Will Swinton at The Double Whammy to a (nearly) sold out crowd. She just performed her debut headline show at the Tuning Fork to a fantastic crowd. She just wrapped up the North Island leg of the Frankie Venter Like it Like That tour- the titular song she co-wrote with the artist.

www.bandsintown.com