Auckland Venue Big Fan Is Bucking the Trend in New Zealand
Music venues in Auckland, certainly in the past decade or so, lead perilous existences. Threatened with extinction for a while, The Wine Cellar managed to survive through a key merger with the neighbouring Whammy Bar. Spark Arena is big, but not big enough to attract the true superstar artists, who are bypassing New Zealand on their global jaunts with worrying regularity. Just a few weeks ago, news broke of a popular underage venue being under threat from noise complaints. Talk to a millennial long enough at a gig along Karangahape Road and they’ll get misty-eyed about the dearly missed Kings Arms Tavern.
An Auckland music venue leads a perilous existence, clearly, but when its owners get things right, the possibilities are endless.
On Saturday, November 9th, Morningside spot Big Fan will celebrate its second birthday party, capping two years of promising growth.
The not-for-profit music facility was opened by Joel and Gemma Little, and the man who’s co-written or co-produced for Niall Horan, Vance Joy, Gracie Abrams, Amy Shark, Taylor Swift, who famously worked on Lorde‘s debut album Pure Heroine, had lofty but important goals in mind.
“I want Big Fan to provide the same sort of support network for music that exists for other industries in our country – that has made the All Blacks, our filmmakers and tech sector world leaders in their field,” Joel said.
So far, the results speak for themselves.
Over 1,000 creatives have used Big Fan’s facilities since it opened, attracted by the venue’s versatility: it’s a striking live music spot, wholesome community hub, and spacious recording studio all in one place.
Big Fan was born out of the Littles’ frustration with the lack of quality space for musicians in Aotearoa. After living and working in Los Angeles for several years, they were dismayed by the poor infrastructure when they returned to their home country.
“Music has benefited our family in a multitude of ways, and Big Fan is an opportunity to give something back, to reinvest in our industry and to support the future of New Zealand music. I feel like there’s a responsibility that comes with success, so I’m glad I can use it to do something like this,” Joel noted.
While the rest of Auckland’s music scene struggles to support the city’s plentiful musical talent, Big Fan is fostering the next generation of Kiwi musicians through workshops and showcases. Chief among these is Ignite, a programme dedicated to nurturing and empowering those with a passion for music and events.
Ignite provides one-on-one mentoring from industry professionals, hands-on experience, and having run multiple intakes in Auckland, recently expanded to Wellington for the first time, partnering with the Toi Rauwhārangi at Massey University.
All of this is why Big Fan’s second birthday bash is a well-earned celebration.
A Garage Sale will have local vendors, music gear, and local band merch. The upstairs will host an Open Day where people can check out the recording studios and meet the studio team. There will also, of course, be live music, with up-and-comers Paige, Reiki Ruawai, and The Dawns playing in the evening.
If you’re one of the only venues thriving in your city during a difficult time, you really should go all out for your birthday. The future isn’t guaranteed for any Auckland venue, but Big Fan and its team seem well-positioned to provide a world-class hub for fledgling local musicians for years to come.
To mark Big Fan’s second birthday, we caught up with general manager Savina Fountain to discuss the venue’s past history, present successes, and future aims. Read the full conversation below.
Follow Big Fan on Instagram. Find out more information about their free open day here. Tickets to the evening music showcase are available here.
Rolling Stone AU/NZ: What are you most excited about for Big Fan’s birthday party?
Savina Fountain: I’m really looking forward to celebrating this milestone with our amazing team, who are so committed and work so hard behind the scenes. This past year has been full-on, and in the fast-paced world of music it’s easy to get swept up in what’s next and lose sight of accomplishments. Our birthday is a perfect chance to pause, reflect, and appreciate everything we’ve achieved for the music community in Aotearoa.
What do you think Paige, Reiki Ruawai, and The Dawns bring to the celebration?
They’re all such incredible artists who have been involved with Big Fan over the years in various ways so it’s awesome to able to have them play at the show. I also heard that Paige has a really special show planned with some surprises in store!
What can people look forward to at the Garage Sale and Open Day? Any cool vendors or items you’re excited about?
There are so many amazing things happening at the Garage Sale. I’m particularly excited about our gear sale, as many in our music community have extra equipment to offload, creating opportunities for more treasure-hunting! We’re also partnering with an E-waste provider for sustainable disposal of old electronics. And it’s always a higlight to open up our doors for everyone to check out our facilities at the Open Day.
Image: Big Fan Credit: Supplied
What made you want to bring the Ignite program to Wellington and Auckland?
Ignite has run for five intakes for 15 to 18 year olds in Tāmaki Makaurau and we wanted to offer this to more people across Aotearoa. It made sense to expand to Wellington first being our creative capital, brimming with talent, as well as finding our home base at Commercial Music at Massey University. We’ve had Ignite alumni go on to study there, making the partnership quite organic. We also wanted to expand our offering to 18 to 25 year olds in Auckland, helping them navigate their pathway, whether they’re just starting out, in between education, or looking for a career change.
What’s special about the Ignite program that sets it apart from other music training?
Ignite provides participants with multiple ways of learning – one-on-one and group mentoring, seminars, and practical workshops. The really unique thing is that all participants get to apply their skills and experience learnt to a real-world context, by either organising an event, or producing an all-ages show. There are many things you can learn in a ‘classroom’ setting, but people, especially young people, do their biggest learning by doing, so we like to provide this opportunity which they can take to help them in the future. It’s always the highlight for both the participants and their mentors.
Image: Big Fan Credit: Supplied
How do you think Ignite will help young creatives in Aotearoa start their music careers?
Ignite is set up to empower young people by providing them with the tools, experience, and connections they need to help them personally and professionally as they navigate this wonderful industry. By focusing on mentorship and hands-on experiences, participants gain invaluable insights into the industry while developing practical skills. Ignite is all about giving young people the confidence to pursue their passions, whether that means producing their own music, managing events, or finding their niche in the industry. Since its inception in 2015, before finding a home at Big Fan, our alumni have successfully transitioned into the industry, demonstrating that our programme works!
Tell us about a memorable moment from the past two years at Big Fan.
There have been so many memorable moments throughout this journey, but one standout from this year was the Pan-Asian Fan Camp, bringing together 10 Pan-Asian songwriters and producers for a week of collaborative songwriting. This initiative was the first of its kind for the Pan-Asian music community in Aotearoa. Amazing songs were written and recorded as a part of this, but the week was much more than that. It allowed space for us to share stories, learn from each other, and connect on a deep level. As an immigrant, in the position I hold, it felt so purposeful being able to open up this space for our community, fostering lasting friendships over great food and conversations.
Is there a show or event at Big Fan that really stuck with you?
The show that still gives me goosebumps is one of the Ignite shows from earlier this year. Organised by young people in the Event Management stream, with Event Production stream working behind the scenes, there was an alumni from last year playing with his band, and an alumni from 2018 who was there in his role as a mentor for one of the students. The show also sold out, reinforcing the idea that shows for young people should be organised by young people. I remember sharing something awfully cheesy on Instagram about why it’s so important to support young people in all areas of the industry, growing and changing the scene one all-ages show at a time.
How has Big Fan changed in supporting local artists since it opened?
Since opening our doors, our commitment to supporting our music makers has only grown stronger. We’ve seen people write and record music in the studios upstairs, and performing these songs live for the very first time in the venue downstairs. We’ve rolled out various programmes and initiatives to create as many opportunities as we can for the music community at large, such as writing camps, residencies, mentoring programmes, paid internship programmes, seminars, and workshops. We have become a hub where people can not only hone their craft but also forge lasting connections.
With over 1,600 creatives using the studios, how do you think Big Fan has impacted new artists?
The number of people who have engaged with our studios is truly humbling – it’s a testament to the supportive and creative environment our team has built and the support from the community. Our studios have top of the line gear, but also purposefully designed to be comfortable and non-intimidating. We believe that when people feel safe and comfortable, they have the freedom to be creative, which helps them make great music! We’re also helping to foster a sense of belonging and connection. It’s rewarding to witness how these interactions lead to new projects, collaborations, and friendships that extend beyond our four walls.
How has your experience helped shape Big Fan into the community hub it is now?
My journey through various areas of the music and events industries (a bit of a ‘jack of all trades’) has given me a unique perspective that I believe has helped with my role at Big Fan. I used to wonder why I didn’t just stick to one area, but now I see it all as part of a greater purpose. I’ve gained insights into the challenges that music people face and the importance of collaboration and support. We want to continue to understand and address the needs of our community, fostering an environment where people feel valued and empowered to pursue their passion.
Image: Savina Fountain Credit: Supplied
What excites you most about the New Zealand music scene right now?
I’m genuinely excited about the incredible diversity of voices and styles emerging in the Aotearoa music scene. It feels like we’re experiencing a new era of creativity, with people from various backgrounds bringing their unique perspectives and sounds to the forefront. This not only enhances our culture but also challenges and inspires one another. I think that people across the world still have their eyes on New Zealand artists and producers and we’ll see more Kiwis dominate the international stage.
What are your hopes for Big Fan in the next few years? How do you see it fitting into the local music scene?
We hope to continue expanding our reach and impact within the local music community. We want to help reduce as many barriers for access and continue to provide our spaces and programmes to as many people across Aotearoa. We want Big Fan to be a hub for creativity, where people of all walks of life can come together to collaborate, learn, and grow. In a few years, we hope that those who began their journeys at Big Fan will return to mentor and nurture the next generation, helping to create a sustainable music ecosystem.
From Rolling Stone AU/NZ