IMPORTANT: WELCOME TO THE GIG IS CURRENTLY ON HIATUS, RETURNING LATER IN 2025

Write-ups Worth Waiting For.

Welcome! You’ve landed straight on the home page of Welcome to the Gig, which has been operating since the 28th May 2021 and I hope that it inspires you to find, support and love music from our beautiful country as we have endless supplies of musicians who would love to turn their passions into ever-lasting careers and I am personally here to help as much as possible in doing this.

Welcome to the Gig has never made a cent over the while it has been running, but it has bought some incredible opportunities to light since being around. In 2022, Welcome to the Gig held an actual New Zealand music gig under its name in Auckland. In 2021, Welcome to the Gig got a radio show/podcast with Plains FM in Christchurch and I have managed to make many wonderful friendships with the local talent.

Here at welcometothegig.net, you will find musician interviews, music reviews, gig reviews, features and podcasts (radio show was discontinued in 2023).

Run solely by musical entrepreneur, Ashlea Harris, who is originally from Christchurch, New Zealand (temporarily living in York, United Kingdom until 2025/2026), Welcome to the Gig was born out of the love of going to gigs across New Zealand, getting to know new musicians and feeling heavily connected to the scene without actually being a musician.

Welcome to the Gig is a special place that celebrates musicians from all walks of life - whether they’re a newbie, or they’ve been on the scene for a while, there is space for every New Zealand musician here.

The slogan for Welcome to the Gig is “write-ups worth waiting for” as I believe in quality, over quantity.

If you like what I am doing with Welcome to the Gig, please check out the socials at the top of the page (please note: on both Instagram and Facebook, there is a pinned post indicating whether review requests are open or closed, please check before requesting).

Thank you so much for stopping by, I appreciate your time if you stay for a bit and read anything or listen to the podcast.