COMMOTION Workshops

Got song ideas brewing? Bring your instrument (or just your voice!) and work with our incredible artist-mentors to transform those sparks into fully-fledged songs. We’ll dive into song structure (verse, chorus, bridge – what makes them tick?), explore proven songwriting techniques, and then show you how to creatively break the rules. Get ready to refine your craft and make your songs shine!

Ready to drop some bars? Join Mazbou Q, aka ‘The Rap Scientist’, to master the fundamentals of hip hop lyric writing, flow, rhyme, and cadence. Mazbou will break down the music theory and rhythmic intricacies behind killer verses, giving you the tools to incorporate authentic hip hop elements into your own unique sound.

Who doesn't want to learn to DJ? Now’s your chance! Learn the essential ins and outs of DJing with the legendary DJ Shan from Aotearoa DJ Academy. Get hands-on with beatmatching, mixing, and understanding DJ gear. Depending on experience, we may offer beginner and more advanced sessions to get you spinning like a pro.

Elevate your singing! This workshop is for vocalists looking to expand their skills. You'll work on harmonies, refine your microphone technique for powerful delivery, and learn essential tips for vocal health to keep your voice in top condition.

Drummers, this one’s for you! Level up your live performance game by exploring techniques like incorporating electronic drum pads, playing flawlessly to in-ear click tracks, and locking in with the band to create an undeniable groove.

This workshop is a must for bands that have come to COMMOTION. Bands will each take a turn playing one of their songs on stage and getting feedback on your song arrangements and stage presence to help take you to the next level.

The beauty of Electronic Music is that when you’re making music in this style, you’re also playing in the realm of designing sound itself - perhaps more-so than any other style of music. It’s actually really easy and fun to create the incredible sounds you’ve heard in your favourite tracks. In this workshop you’ll learn how to program your own beats, learn about synthesisers and sampling, using virtual instruments, recording your own vocals/instrument and more, as Paddy shows you through the whole production process in Ableton Live.

Learn how to record yourself and why this is a vital part of being a musician in 2025. This workshop will cover things you need to know about recording your own music (vocals and instruments) and will cover software (DAW’s and plugins), audio interfaces and microphones.

Ever wondered how a track goes from raw ideas or recordings to a polished finalised track? This is your behind-the-scenes pass! Join our producer/tutors as they open up their own project files and deconstruct their original tracks layer by layer. Get insight into their creative workflows, decision-making processes, and go-to production techniques. This isn't just a listening session; it's a deep dive into their minds and methods, offering inspiration and practical tricks you can apply to your own music.

• Step into the sonic future! Led by sound designer, producer, and composer Dylan Galletly (Wolf Horse, STUDIO 7010) explore how sound works beyond the radio and live performance. Learn adaptive audio for games, creating interactive soundscapes, and using tech like TouchDesigner, game engines, and AI tools. See how music for film and TV is crafted to match emotion and story. Hear real project examples, including award-winning game audio, and get hands-on with tools and ideas you can use to shape the music of the future.

Written a great song? Now what? This workshop maps out the journey of releasing your music. Learn about working with producers, effective distribution to streaming platforms, and promotional strategies to reach your audience.

Get feedback on your demo or recorded song by a panel of artist/mentors. Be one of a small number of attendees/bands to get constructive feedback on your work. All attendees will be emailed in advance of COMMOTION to see who wants to pre-book this.

Your chance to get those burning questions answered! This fun and informal Q&A session allows you to anonymously submit questions for our diverse panel of artist-tutors, who will share their experiences, advice, and stories from their careers in music.