Six60
New Zealand rock band
title: "Six60" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["aotearoa-music-award-winners", "apra-award-winners", "new-zealand-pop-rock-groups", "māori-language-singers", "musical-groups-from-dunedin"] description: "New Zealand rock band" topic_path: "arts" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six60" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary New Zealand rock band ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox musical artist"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Six60 |
| image | Six60 homegrown 2012.JPG |
| image_size | 250 |
| background | group_or_band |
| genre | |
| origin | Dunedin, New Zealand |
| years_active | 2008–present |
| label | * Epic |
| current_members | * Chris Mac |
| past_members | * Hoani Matenga |
| * Eli Paewai{{Cite web | date |
| :: |
| name = Six60 | image = Six60 homegrown 2012.JPG | image_size = 250 | caption = | background = group_or_band | genre = | origin = Dunedin, New Zealand | years_active = 2008–present | label = * Epic
- Massive | website = | current_members = * Chris Mac
- Ji Fraser
- Marlon Gerbes
- Matiu Walters | past_members = * Hoani Matenga
- Eli Paewai
Six60 is a New Zealand pop rock band formed in Dunedin, Otago in 2008. The band consists of Matiu Walters (lead vocals, guitar), Ji Fraser (lead guitar), Chris Mac (drums, bass guitar), and Marlon Gerbes (guitar, bass guitar, synthesiser).
Their self-titled debut album was released on 10 October 2011 on their own label Massive Entertainment. The album was produced and mixed by Tiki Taane and debuted at number one in the New Zealand charts and was certified gold within its first week of release. Their first two singles "Rise Up 2.0" and "Don't Forget Your Roots" reached number one and number two respectively on the RIANZ singles chart and were both certified double and triple platinum.
In 2018 the band won five Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards and were the most streamed artist by New Zealanders on Spotify. On 23 February 2019, Six60 became the first New Zealand band to play a sold-out concert at the Western Springs Stadium, to a crowd of 50,000 fans.{{cite web |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12206566 |title=Hours before Six60 take to the stage for record-breaking concert |work=The New Zealand Herald |issn=1170-0777 |date=23 February 2019 |access-date=23 February 2019}} On 24 April 2021, Six60 played the first concert at Auckland's Eden Park Stadium, to a crowd of 50,000 fans. It was the closing of the Six60 Saturdays country-wide tour and the largest concert of 2021.
In February 2024, founding member Eli Paewai left the band, citing his "personal journey with music is coming to an end".
History
Six60 was formed in Dunedin; the founding members met while attending University of Otago. The band created their name from the street number of the house they lived at in Dunedin, 660 Castle Street. As Ji Fraser said, "That's where it all began. It was the beginning of everything. It was a place that meant so much to us." In July 2021 the band bought 660 Castle Street and created four $10,000 performing arts scholarships at the University of Otago.
Their local following developed from Dunedin to other student hubs around the country such as Auckland, Waikato, Christchurch and Wellington.
Six60's original EP, released in 2008, contained a track called "Someone to Be Around". This track was left off their debut album but remains one of their most popular songs.
Six60 have a quadruple platinum number-one debut album with triple platinum-selling single "Don't Forget Your Roots", two double platinum-selling singles "Only to Be" and "Rise Up", two platinum-selling singles "Forever" and "Special", and one gold-selling single "Lost".
In early March 2013 the band was featured on George FM Breakfast's 'Damn! I Wish I Was Your Cover' series covering Rudimental's "Feel the Love".
In 2014, their song "Run for It" was featured on the trailer of ITV drama series Prey, starring John Simm.
Chris uses a MOOG Voyager / Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay bass guitars. Matiu and Ji both play Fender Strats, Gibson Les Paul electric guitars, and Gibson and Maton acoustic guitars while Marlon uses an MS2000 / Muse VIP / Fender Strat. Eli plays KDrums drums. Matiu's younger brother Niko Walters debuted as a musician in 2019, and has performed as an opening act for Six60.
Sweet Home Aotearoa Festival
In October 2025, SIX60 announced the launch of a new country and roots music festival called Sweet Home Aotearoa. The event is scheduled to take place on January 3, 2026, at Matakana Country Park in New Zealand. Organized by the band itself, the festival aims to celebrate diverse musical influences and bring together artists from across genres.
The inaugural lineup includes performances by SIX60, Yelawolf, Tash Sultana, Tami Neilson, Hori Shaw, Brad Cox, South Summit, Rachael Fahim, TheWesternGuide, and Rosie Teese.
The festival marks a significant expansion of SIX60's role in the New Zealand music scene, not only as performers but also as curators and promoters of live music experiences.
Discography
Studio albums
::data[format=table] | Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Certifications | NZ | AUS | Six60 | Six60 | Six60 | Castle St | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | | 1 | — | | | | | | | | | | 1 | — | | | | | | | | | | 1 | 8 | | | | | | | | | | 1 | 47 | | | | | | | | | "—" denotes an album that did not chart in that country. | | | | | | | | | | ::
Live albums
::data[format=table] | Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | NZ | The Grassroots Album | |---|---|---|---|---| | | 2 | | | | ::
Compilation albums
::data[format=table] | Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Certifications | NZ | The Six60 Collection | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | | 2 | | | | | ::
Extended plays
::data[format=table] | Title | EP details | Peak chart positions | Certifications | NZ | Six60 | iTunes Session EP | Six60 | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | | — | | | | | | | | | 15 | | | | | | | | | 2 | | | | | | | ::
Singles
As lead artist
::data[format=table] | Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | NZ | "Rise Up 2.0" | "Don't Forget Your Roots" | "Only to Be" | "Forever" | "In the Clear" (featuring Paul Mac) | "Forever (Movie Version)" | "Special" | "So High" | "White Lines" | "Purple" | "Stay Together" | "Exhale" | "Don't Give It Up" | "Rivers" | "Closer" | "Rolling Stone" | "Vibes" | "Up There" | "The Greatest" | "Please Don't Go" | "Raining" | "Never Enough" | "Long Gone" | "Sundown" | "Fade Away" | "All She Wrote" | "Pepeha" | "Before You Leave" | "Never Been Tonight" | "Never Coming Home" (with Hilltop Hoods) | "We Made It" | "Knocking at Your Door" | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | 2010 | 1 | | Six60 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2011 | 2 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 5 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2012 | 11 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 12 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2013 | — | | Vaterfreuden OST | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2014 | 1 | | Six60 (2) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2015 | 10 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 5 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2017 | 4 | | Six60 EP | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 32 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 14 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 20 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 9 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 37 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2019 | 3 | | Six60 (3) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 8 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 10 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2020 | 5 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 6 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 9 | | rowspan="3" | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2021 | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2022 | 3 | | Castle St | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 39 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2025 | — | | Fall from the Light | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 36 | | Right Here Right Now | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2026 | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | "—" denotes a recording that did not chart in that country. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ::
As featured artist
::data[format=table] | Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | NZ | NZ Artist Peak positions for Six60's singles on the NZ Artists singles chart: | AUS | "Catching Feelings" (Drax Project featuring Six60) | "Always Beside You" (Coterie featuring Six60) | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | 2019 | 3 | 1 | 43 | | Drax Project | | | | | | 2022 | — | 11 | — | | Coterie | | | | | ::
Other charted and certified songs
::data[format=table] | Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | NZ | NZ Art. | "Someone to Be Around" | "Beside You" | "Finest Wine" | "Get" | "Green Bottles" | "Hard For Me" | "Lost" | "Rest Of You" | "Run For It" | "Windy Days" | "Home" | "Waterfalls" | "Die For" | "Don't Go Changing" | "Fade To Grey" | "Find My Way" | "Last Ones Left (Outro)" | "Marks On The Wall" | "Mine" | "Mother's Eyes" | "Too Much" | "Kia Mau Ki Tō Ūkaipō / Don't Forget Your Roots" | "Bitter End" | "Breathe" | "Ghosts" | "Tomorrow" | "Universe" | "Tahi" | "Hang On" | "Nobody Knows" | "Say It Now" | "Pepeha" (live acoustic) | "Forever" (live acoustic) | "Someone to Be Around" (live acoustic) | "Rivers" (live acoustic) | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | 2008 | 39 | 12 | | Six60 (2008 EP) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2011 | — | — | | Six60 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | 5 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | 12 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2013 | — | 9 | | iTunes Session | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | 6 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2015 | — | — | | Six60 (2) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2019 | 10 | — | | Waiata / Anthems | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | — | | Six60 (3) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 21 | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 28 | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2022 | — | — | | Castle St | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2024 | — | — | | The Grassroots Album | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | "—" denotes a recording that did not chart in that country. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ::
''Six60: Till the Lights Go Out''
Six60: Till the Lights Go Out is a 2020 documentary film, directed by Julia Parnell, highlighting the bands humble beginnings to reaching global success.
Awards and nominations
::data[format=table]
| Awards | Year | Type | Song or album | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand Music Awards | 2011 | Single of the Year | "Rise Up 2.0" | |
| Breakthrough Artist of the Year | ||||
| Peoples' Choice Award | ||||
| New Zealand Music Awards | 2012 | Single of the Year | "Don't Forget Your Roots" | |
| Best Group | ||||
| Peoples' Choice Award | ||||
| Highest selling New Zealand Single | "Don't Forget Your Roots" | |||
| Highest selling New Zealand Album | Six60 | |||
| Radio Airplay Record of the Year | "Don't Forget Your Roots" | |||
| Album of the Year | Six60 | |||
| Best Electronica Album | Six60 | |||
| New Zealand Music Awards | 2013 | Highest selling New Zealand Album | "Six60" | |
| New Zealand Music Awards | 2015 | People's Choice Award | ||
| Album of the Year | Six60 | |||
| Single of the Year | "White Lines" | |||
| Best Group | ||||
| Best Pop Album | Six60 | |||
| Highest selling New Zealand Single | "Special" | |||
| Highest selling New Zealand Single | "So High" | |||
| Highest selling New Zealand Album | Six60 | |||
| Radio Airplay Record of the Year | "Special" | |||
| New Zealand Music Awards | 2016 | Highest selling New Zealand Single | "White Lines" | |
| Radio Airplay Record of the Year | "White Lines" | |||
| Highest selling New Zealand Album | Six60 | |||
| New Zealand Music Awards | 2017 | Highest selling New Zealand Single | "White Lines" | |
| Highest selling New Zealand Album | Six60 | |||
| New Zealand Music Awards | 2018 | People's Choice Award | ||
| Album of the Year | Six60 | |||
| Single of the Year | "Don't Give Up" | |||
| Best Group | Six60 | |||
| Best Pop Artist | ||||
| Highest Selling NZ Album | Six60 | |||
| Highest Selling NZ Single | "Don't Give Up | |||
| Radio Airplay | ||||
| New Zealand Music Awards | 2019 | People's Choice | ||
| Single of the Year | "The Greatest" | |||
| Highest Selling Artist | ||||
| Radio Airplay | ||||
| Aotearoa Music Awards | 2020 | Album of the Year | Six60 | |
| Single of the Year | "In the Air | |||
| Best Group | ||||
| Mana Reo | "Kia Mau Ki To Ukaipo" | |||
| Best Pop Artist | ||||
| Highest Selling Artist | ||||
| Aotearoa Music Awards | 2021 | Single of the Year | "All She Wrote" | |
| Highest Selling Artist | ||||
| Radio Airplay | ||||
| Aotearoa Music Awards | 2022 | Highest Selling Artist | ||
| Radio Airplay | "Someone to be Around" | |||
| Aotearoa Music Awards | 2024 | Highest Selling Artist | ||
| :: |
Notes
References
References
- Hepburn, Steve. (11 September 2010). "Rugby: Field Matenga's chosen stage". [[Otago Daily Times]].
- (5 February 2024). "Six60 founding member Eli Paewai to leave the band".
- "'So grateful' – SIX60 drummer Eli Paewai to leave band".
- Weaser, Laura. "Interview: Matiu Walters – SIX60". Rip It Up.
- (4 December 2018). "Six60 reign as most-streamed local artist on Spotify".
- Kerr-Lazenby, Mina. (24 April 2021). "Six60 at Eden Park: 50,000 fans flock to Auckland stadium for inaugural concert". [[Stuff NZ]].
- (5 February 2024). "Six60 founding member Eli Paewai to leave the band".
- "'So grateful' – SIX60 drummer Eli Paewai to leave band".
- "Six60".
- (20 February 2014). "It was the beginning of everything".
- (29 July 2021). "Tomato sauce, broken glass and beer – inside Six60's $1.7m flat purchase".
- "Six60 EP".
- "Prey {{!}} Full Trailer {{!}} ITV".
- (7 February 2014). "Run for It".
- Thorne, Richard. (2020). "Niko Walters: Escape To The Neighbours".
- Tetlow, Max. (8 December 2020). "For Niko Walters, the pressure doesn't change the passion".
- (14 September 2021). "Niko Walters – Vicious Love".
- https://blog.ticketmaster.co.nz/music/six60-announce-new-country-roots-festival-sweet-home-aotearoa-3549
- "Discography Six60". [[Recorded Music NZ]]. Hung Medien.
- "Discography Six60".
- "Six60 (1)".
- "Six60 (2)".
- "Six60 (3)".
- "Castle St".
- (16 September 2024). "NZ Top 40 Albums Chart". [[Recorded Music NZ]].
- (3 January 2025). "NZ Top 40 Albums Chart". [[Recorded Music NZ]].
- {{cite certification
- "Six60 EP".
- {{cite certification
- {{cite certification
- (11 July 2025). "Hilltop Hoods Drop ‘Never Coming Home’ with Six60, Featuring a Knockout Cameo From Alexander Volkanovski".
- (12 December 2025). "Six60 Appreciate How Far They've Come on New Single "We Made It"".
- (19 December 2025). "Official Top 40 Singles". [[Recorded Music NZ]].
- (23 January 2026). "Hot 40 Singles". [[Recorded Music NZ]].
- (2 December 2019). "ARIA Australian Top 50 Singles". [[Australian Recording Industry Association]].
- {{cite certification
- (7 December 2022). "Hot 40 Singles Chart". [[Recorded Music NZ]].
- (6 September 2019). "Waiata / Anthems by Various Artists on Apple Music". Apple Music NZ.
- (26 August 2019). "NZ Hot Singles Chart". [[Recorded Music NZ]].
- (17 October 2022). "NZ Hot Singles Chart". [[Recorded Music NZ]].
- (26 September 2022). "NZ Hot Singles Chart". [[Recorded Music NZ]].
- (16 September 2024). "NZ Hot Singles Chart". [[Recorded Music NZ]].
- (26 November 2020). "SIX60: Till the Lights Go Out (2020) – IMDb".
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