AUCKLAND (15 September 2026) – Nashville-based singer-songwriter Max McNown today announces two 2027 New Zealand headline tour dates, alongside the preview of his highly anticipated third studio album Leave On A Light, due September 25 via Fugitive Recordings.
Following a meteoric rise that has seen him rack up more than 900 million worldwide streams, score multiple RIAA certifications and a previously sold-out tour, McNown will return to New Zealand in February 2027 for his biggest headline run yet, bringing his acclaimed live show back to fans across the country presented by Live Nation.
The tour heads to New Zealand for shows at Auckland’s The Civic on Monday 22 February, and Christchurch’s Town Hall on Wednesday 24 February.
An Artist Presale will commence Wednesday 16 September, 11am running until Friday 18 September, 11am.
Westpac Mastercard cardholders (New Zealand) have special access to presale tickets, starting Wednesday 16 September, 11am, running until Friday September 18, 11am. Plus, Preferred ticket access to some of the best tickets during on sale are available from Friday September 18 at 12pm. Check out priceless.com/westpacnz for details.
A Live Nation presale will commence on Thursday September 17, 11am concluding Friday September 18, 11am. Sign up now at livenation.co.nz/register.
Tickets for all shows go on sale Friday 18 September at 12pm – head to maxmcnown.com/tour.
All times are local.
For further information, visit: livenation.co.nz
McNown released his latest single, the breezy and soulful “First Born Daughter,” a celebration of his wife’s strength, followed by “Comets” and “Take Me Back,” his collaboration with global DJ and hitmaker Kygo. The new music continues to showcase McNown’s evolution as an artist, from the bold ambition of “Famous to You” to the expansive sound of “Take Me Back,” which saw him team up with one of dance music’s biggest names.
The new music comes at a defining moment for the 25-year-old artist. In recent months, McNown has made his Stagecoach debut, performed at Lollapalooza, sold out two consecutive nights at the Ryman Auditorium, completed headline tours across multiple continents and toured alongside country superstar Parker McCollum.
At the heart of Leave On A Light is McNown’s instinctive, lyric-first songwriting. Recorded with longtime collaborator and producer Jamie Kenney at Nashville’s renowned Blackbird Studio, the 17-track album broadens his sonic palette while remaining firmly rooted in the emotional honesty that has fuelled his rapid rise.
McNown expanded his creative circle for the album, working with acclaimed songwriter Julian Bunetta (Gracie Abrams, Kelsea Ballerini) and A-list guitarist Charlie Worsham (Luke Combs, Lainey Wilson), among others.
Written during a period of extraordinary momentum, Leave On A Light is ultimately an album about gratitude, love and the people who remain constant amid a rapidly changing life.
“In a way, most of the songs on this album are love songs,” says McNown. “They’re a tribute to my wife and my family, the people who care about who I am outside of music and give me a place of peace and unconditional love to come home to.”
That sentiment runs throughout the album from the heavy-hearted yet triumphant “Something to Someone” which explores the universal desire to be truly seen and loved and “Done For”, which landed on Spotify’s coveted Hot Country playlist following its release earlier this year.
For McNown, songwriting is ultimately about creating a space for listeners to see themselves reflected in his music.
“One of my favourite songwriters, Mags Duval, once told me that songs aren’t meant to tell people how they should feel – they’re meant to serve as mirrors,” McNown recently told Billboard Country. “More than anything, I hope this album encourages people to look inward and brings them toward a greater appreciation for what they have right now.”
MAX McNOWN
NEW ZEALAND 2027
THE CIVIC, AUCKLAND
MON 22 FEBRUARY
CHRISTCHURCH TOWN HALL, CHRISTCHURCH
WED 24 FEBRUARY
TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY 18 SEPTEMBER AT 12PM
Artist Presale: Wed 16 Sept, 11am – Fri 18 Sept, 11am
Mastercard NZ Presale: Wed 16 Sept, 11am – Fri 18 Sept, 11am
Live Nation Presale: Thu 17 Sept, 11am – Fri 18 Sept, 11am
All times are local.
For complete tour and ticket information, visit: livenation.co.nz
ABOUT MAX McNOWN:
Max McNown’s rise has been meteoric. After teaching himself guitar and busking around Southern California just a few years ago, the Oregon-born singer-songwriter built a devoted following online before breaking through with “A Lot More Free.”
The breakout track has surpassed 400 million worldwide streams, achieved RIAA Platinum certification in the US, made its Billboard Hot 100 debut and propelled McNown to the top of Billboard’s Emerging Artists chart. It also reached the Top 10 at Hot AC Radio, Top 20 at Pop and Top 30 at Triple A.
His follow-up “Better Me For You (Brown Eyes)” took that momentum even further, earning RIAA Double Platinum certification, more than 500 million worldwide streams and McNown’s highest Billboard Hot 100 position to date at #26, where it spent 36 weeks.
The track also reached #6 at Country Radio, Top 30 at Pop, #8 at Hot AC and Top 20 AC, while earning McNown his first entry on the Spotify US Top 200.
With Leave On A Light, McNown enters his next chapter with a rapidly expanding global audience and a live show ready to make its New Zealand debut in 2027.
CONNECT WITH MAX McNOWN
Website | TikTok | Instagram | YouTube | Spotify
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