Auckland, New Zealand – April 2026
After more than a decade at the forefront of Aotearoa rock, Villainy aren’t looking back. If anything, Happy Waste feels like a reset – a sharp reminder of who they are and why they’ve endured.
Fresh off the back of a huge set at Jim Beam Homegrown 2026, the Auckland four-piece return with a track that hits immediately. It’s big, direct, and built for the stage – a song designed to land in a live setting.
At its core, Happy Waste feels more personal. It leans into the masks we wear – the version of ourselves we show the world versus what’s really going on underneath. It’s a theme the band approach more directly here, without the layers that once sat between the idea and the song.
Sonically, Villainy lean into what they do best. Strong hooks, shifting dynamics, and a sense of controlled intensity shaped by years on the road. Every element feels deliberate, built to create moments that connect in real time.
Since forming in 2011, Villainy have quietly built one of the most consistent catalogues in New Zealand rock – three albums, three award-winning campaigns, and a reputation forged through relentless touring. Tracks like Miles Away, which held the No.1 spot on the NZ Rock Radio Chart for eight weeks in 2024, only reinforced that connection with audiences.
But Happy Waste isn’t just a continuation – it signals intent. After a run of shows last year, the band returned with renewed energy and a clearer sense of direction.
As the first taste of their upcoming fourth album, Happy Waste sets the tone for what’s ahead, focused, driven, and unmistakably Villainy.