Christchurch’s Lucy Gray is set to shine on one of New Zealand’s top emerging artist stages when she performs at the Ones To Watch showcase in Auckland on Thursday.
The 17-year-old pop-indie singer-songwriter has quickly built a name for herself, gaining over 90,000 followers online and earning praise for her heartfelt lyrics and emotionally rich sound.
Her music draws influence from international artists like Boygenius and Reneé Rapp, and she’s already caught the attention of key industry players.
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Last year, she was awarded NZ On Air’s New Music Development grant, which supported the release of her debut EP.
Her standout track whole life waiting, recorded with Andy and Victoria Knopp, has reached over 200,000 streams.
Gray was also featured in NZ On Air’s New Tracks selection for four of her six songs, a rare accomplishment for a debut release.
Her recent single Polar Orbit, released in December, has clocked more than 80,000 streams and helped her attract tens of thousands of new fans on social media. The song continues to gain traction across streaming platforms and student radio stations.
Gray has already performed live in Auckland at the Tuning Fork and is excited to return to the venue as part of the Ones To Watch lineup, sharing the stage with indie-pop band Borderline and hip-hop artist Aidan Fine.
Borderline is fresh from international appearances at South by Southwest in the United States, a showcase in London, and a standout performance at the UK’s Great Escape Festival. The band has received support from global platforms including Rolling Stone AU/NZ, BBC Radio 1 and Triple J.
They were recently signed by American record label EMPIRE, home to artists like Tyga and G-DRAGON, becoming the first Australasian act to join the label since it launched in this part of the world.
Aidan Fine, originally from Florida and now based in Auckland, brings a mix of hip-hop, alternative and psychedelic influences to his sound. His tracks Day by Day and Deadroses have pushed him past 2.5 million cross-platform streams and earned him a spot on the Aotearoa Music Charts.
Ones To Watch, launched in New Zealand by One New Zealand and Live Nation, has become a trusted platform for discovering breakout artists. Previous editions have featured now-established acts like Benee, LEISURE and Georgia Lines. Internationally, the programme has helped boost the careers of Olivia Rodrigo, Dua Lipa and Gracie Abrams.
