Veteran rock fans worldwide have reason to celebrate: legendary AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd has been officially confirmed as a headlining artist for the Mānuka Phuel Full Metal Orchestra Rock Festival, set to take place in New Plymouth, New Zealand, on Saturday, March 7, 2026.
The announcement follows a string of wildly successful Full Metal Orchestra shows across New Zealand in 2025, including sold-out performances in Auckland and Christchurch that saw Rudd reunite with fans in electrifying fashion.
A New Chapter For Full Metal Orchestra
The March 2026 event marks an evolution from arena concerts to a full-scale outdoor rock festival at the Bowl of Brooklands in Taranaki’s scenic Brooklands suburb. Organizers Duco Touring, Liberty Stage, and presenting partner Mānuka Phuel promise a high-impact blend of symphonic and rock elements, featuring a full orchestra, pyrotechnics, and a roster of heavyweight New Zealand acts alongside Rudd.
Rudd will perform with the Full Metal Orchestra collective, which also includes musicians such as Jon Toogood, Jennie Skulander, Milan Borich, Seamus Johnson and The Come Together Band. Collectively, they’ll deliver reimagined renditions of classic tracks spanning AC/DC, Metallica, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Tool, Van Halen, and more.
Supporting sets will come from Devilskin, Blindspott, and other celebrated New Zealand artists, with a DJ performance from Kane Hawkins rounding out the festival experience.
Rudd’s Return To Live Performance
Now 71 years old, Rudd’s involvement with Full Metal Orchestra has been one of his most notable live ventures in recent memory. His July 2025 performance in Auckland marked his first major public appearance in years and showcased orchestral versions of AC/DC staples like “Back in Black” and “Thunderstruck” to an enthusiastic crowd.
Reflecting on the experience in past interviews, Rudd described the fusion of hard-rock energy with classical orchestration as “massive … thumping, boom boom, bang,” emphasizing the excitement of bringing rock anthems to life in a whole new way.
Event Details & Tickets
- 📅 Date: Saturday, March 7, 2026
- 📍 Venue: Bowl of Brooklands, New Plymouth, New Zealand
- 🎟️ General public tickets: On sale Thursday, December 18, 2025 at 10 a.m. local time via fullmetalorchestra.com (presales begin earlier).
Organizers are forecasting one of 2026’s most memorable live music experiences, blending heavy music with orchestral sophistication against the iconic outdoor backdrop of the Bowl. Fans are advised to secure tickets early as demand is expected to be high.
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