Charged with an electrifying mix of pop and rock, Ōtautahi band Castaway bring a captivating, high-energy show wherever they play.

Formed when five friends from across Aotearoa met in their first year of university, the band’s connection runs deep – built on shared meals, late-night jams, and a love for making music together.

Now based in Ōtautahi, Castaway have shaped a sound that’s both heartfelt and anthemic, driven by authenticity and emotion. 2025 has been a standout year, with highlights including opening for Mitch James at the Christchurch Town Hall, performing at the NZ On Air Showcase, a nationwide EP tour, and a set at Go Live Festival.

Looking ahead to 2026, the band are deep in the creative process, recording new music and preparing for summer shows across Aotearoa – ready to share the next chapter of their story with fans old and new.

Influenced by the anthemic prowess of The Killers, the emotive melodies of Coldplay, the indie-rock vibes of Inhaler, and the genre-bending creativity of The 1975, Castaway write fun and emotive songs that get stuck in the head and the heart. The boys’ communal living situation lends itself to a collaborative creative process, and they pride themselves on being a cohesive team.

Exploring themes of young love, the challenges of growing up, and the universal desire to make sense of the world, Castaway aims to write lyrics that resonate with listeners on a deeply personal level. Each track is a journey through the highs and lows of life, wrapped in melodies that linger long after the music stops.

ACCEPTANCE – AUTHENTICITYHONESTYHUMILITY – KINDNESS

In 2020, the Castaway boys went on a weekend trip to the Akaroa coast, turned their phones off, and talked about who they wanted to be as a band.

To this day, the values they wrote down remain at the forefront of every decision, performance, and interaction. As a band that lives together, they believe in the importance of camaraderie and unity, with their experiences as young men giving them purpose to advocate for causes like mental health awareness and cancer research funding.

ACCEPTANCE – AUTHENTICITYHONESTYHUMILITY – KINDNESS

In 2020, the Castaway boys went on a weekend trip to the Akaroa coast, turned their phones off, and talked about who they wanted to be as a band.

To this day, the values they wrote down remain at the forefront of every decision, performance, and interaction. As a band that lives together, they believe in the importance of camaraderie and unity, with their experiences as young men giving them purpose to advocate for causes like mental health awareness and cancer research funding.