As a world first, The Bats will perform their brilliant new album The Deep Set in full, accompanied by a string section. The Deep Set is a potent distillation of The Bats as we've known and loved them for 35 years. Still in their original lineup, which has stood firm since 1982, New Zealand’s own “Fab Four” have applied their everlasting pop smarts to deepen the sound they created - layering Robert Scott’s ever catchy and dreamy songwriting with distinctive guitar jangles, shimmering harmonies and heightened emotion courtesy of cello, viola and violins. By shrugging off any pretentions of heritage and keeping their gaze always grounded in the now, The Bats have become truly vital pop artisans of the 21st century.

Then there are 35 years of Bats classics to conjure with. Having debuted their new album in full, The Bats will also take a rip roaring trip down memory lane to deliver a greatest hits set laden with riches. Celebrating 30 years since their classic debut Daddy’s Highway – one of the outstanding albums from the Flying Nun label’s golden age in the 1980s – The Bats will delve into the canon of glorious indie-pop songs for which they have become so loved, and which continue to wield a mighty influence across the pond with a new generation of Australian daydreamers.

"Remarkably, the band's original lineup remains intact. So too does that dreamy, disconsolate feeling that settles in whenever The Bats' best music takes hold and nimbly seeps under your skin” - Pitchfork

Note: The Meriton Festival Village is a licensed venue. Under 18s must be accompanied by a responsible adult.