Ringlets have returned with their first single of the year, “Hard Evidence”.
The song was recorded over a day at Roundhead Studios with producer extraordinaire De Stevens, which is more time than the post-punk band have traditionally allotted for a single track.
Watch the accompanying music video, directed by Martin Sagadin, below.
Ringlets might not have released the best album of 2025, but they did release the album with the best (and silliest) title of last year, The Lord Is My German Shepherd (Time for Walkies).
“The Auckland-based four-piece deliver a more cohesive and controlled collection than their promising 2023 self-titled debut album,” we wrote in a four-star review, adding that the album “proves that Ringlets are the most exciting post-punk band to emerge from the New Zealand music scene in years.”
After it featured in our Best New Zealand Albums of 2025 list, The Lord Is My German Shepherd (Time for Walkies) earned Ringlets two major nominations this year: a Taite Music Prize nomination as well as a nod for Best Group at the 2026 Aotearoa Music Awards. They missed out on the former to Marlon Williams, but they’ll find out if they’ve won the latter award later this month.
Ringlets’ second album reached No. 4 on the Official Aotearoa Music Charts Hot 20 Albums, while every single hit the top spot on the Aotearoa Alternative Radio Charts.
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Ringlets begin a massive 28-date run across the UK and Europe this weekend, including appearances at The Great Escape and ArcTanGent. They recently completed their first Australian tour which culminated in eight sold-out shows.
Ringlets aren’t the only notable Aotearoa act playing The Great Escape this year.
The New Zealand Music Commission and Live Nation New Zealand recently announced a landmark partnership naming New Zealand as the Lead Country Partner for the 20th anniversary of the beloved English festival, with support from the Ministry for Culture and Heritage and The British Council.
As Lead Country Partner, New Zealand will host an exclusive industry panel, high-level networking events to promote NZ music worldwide, and a dedicated takeover of the iconic Brighton venue Patterns on Thursday, May 14th, featuring curated showcases of Kiwi acts.
Alongside Ringlets, the 2026 NZ delegation features Office Dog, Ratbag, Hemi Hemingway, and Jude Kelly, Luca George, Muroki, and more.
Ringlets’ “Hard Evidence” is out now via Flying Nun Records. Ticket information for their upcoming tour dates is available here.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source au.rollingstone.com ’
