BIO
Sonorous is a powerhouse Soul-infused Psychedelic Blues Rock band from Taupō, New Zealand, known for their high-octane live shows and raw, soul-charged sound. Since forming in 2021, the trio has earned a formidable reputation for their explosive stage presence, impassioned musicianship, and genre-blending style that’s both fresh and timeless.
Frontman Lucian McDermott (lead vocals/guitar) was recently recognised by Blues Festival Guide USA—the largest blues publication in the world—as one of the top eight up-and-coming blues guitarists globally, alongside talents like Taj Farrant. He is joined by Khani Te Mete (bass) and Cooper Paalvast (drums), forming a tight, dynamic unit that channels gritty blues, psychedelic textures, and rock-driven energy into every performance.
Sonorous has lit up stages across New Zealand and Australia, captivating audiences and building a loyal fanbase. They've shared the stage with iconic acts including Simple Minds, Collective Soul, Texas, Pseudo Echo, and New Zealand blues legend Grant Haua, and have been featured at major events such as Greenstone Entertainment’s Summer Concert Series, one of the country’s premier music festivals.
With a wave of original music released and their debut album currently in progress, Sonorous continues to push creative boundaries—driven by passion, authenticity, and a deep-rooted love for the blues.
True to their name, Sonorous lives up to its definition: “producing sound, full and loud in an impressive style.”
AWARDS
BEST GUITARIST AWARD - 2023 BATTLE OF THE BANDS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP - NZ
OVERALL WINNER - 2022 BLUES AND BBQ FESTIVAL - NZ
BEST PERFORMANCE - 2022 BLUES AND BBQ FESTIVAL - NZ
WINNER OF THE '2022 TUNES OF WAIKATO’ ORIGINAL MUSIC COMPETITION - NZ
FESTIVALS & SHOWS
2026 COMMON ROOM, HEADLINE SHOW - HASTINGS, NZ
2026 MAUAO LANDSLIDE FUNDRAISER FESTIVAL - MT MAUNGANUI, NZ
2026 CABANA BAR, HEADLINE SHOW - NAPIER, NZ
2026 ROSEMARY'S BAR, HEADLINE SHOW - TAUPO, NZ
2026 ROSEMARY'S BAR, SUPPORTING ‘NZDC’ (NZ, ACDC TRIBUTE BAND) - TAUPO, NZ
2026 BIKE WEEK FESTIVAL - MATATA, NZ
2026 MATATA HOTEL, HEADLINE SHOW - MATATA, NZ
2026 TAUPO BLUES, BREWS & BBQ'S FESTIVAL, HEADLINE ACT - TAUPO, NZ
2026 COMMON ROOM, HEADLINE SHOW - HASTINGS, NZ
2026 AUCKLAND BLUES MUSIC CLUB, FEATURE ARTIST - AUCKLAND, NZ
2026 COAST 2 COAST FLOOD RELIEF FUNDRAISER - OHOPE, NZ
2026 WAITANGI KI TŪWHARETOA FESTIVAL - TAUPŌ, NZ
2026 KINSTOCK MUSIC FESTIVAL - KINLOCH, NZ
2026 DINNER AT THE LAKE, HEADLINE SHOW - TAUPO, NZ
2025 ROSEMARY'S BAR, SUPPORTING ‘RACING THE BAND’ - TAUPO, NZ
2025 NZ BLUES AND BBQ FESTIVAL - ROTORUA, NZ
2025 SMASH PALACE, HEADLINE SHOW - GISBORNE, NZ
2025 TOTARA STREET, 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY - TAURANGA, NZ
2025 KINLOCH MARKET - KINLOCH, NZ
2025 ROSEMARY'S ROCKFEST - TAUPO, NZ
2025 MITCHELL CREEK ROCK N BLUES FESTIVAL - QUEENSLAND, AUS
2025 SMASH PALACE BAR, SUPPORTING ‘BLACK COMET’ - GISBORNE, NZ
2025 THE CABANA, HEADLINER SHOW - NAPIER, NZ
2025 JAILHOUSE CONCERT SERIES, HEADLINER SHOW - MELBOURNE, AUS
2025 BAY OF ISLANDS JAZZ AND BLUES FESTIVAL - PAIHIA, NZ
2025 VICTORIA VIBES, HEADLINER SHOW - AKL, NZ
2025 ROSEMARYS BAR, HEADLINER SHOW - TAUPO, NZ
2025 SMASH PALACE BAR, HEADLINER SHOW - GISBORNE, NZ
2025 EARTH BEAT FESTIVAL - AKL, NZ
2025 TEXAS PETE'S BEHEMOTH BREWERY - TPO, NZ
2025 BAY OF PLENTY BLUES CLUB, HEADLINER SHOW - ROTORUA, NZ
2025 OPOTIKI LANTERN FESTIVAL - OPOTIKI, NZ
2025 RATANA PAA CELEBRATIONS - WHANGANUI, NZ
2024 MITCHELL CREEK ROCK N BLUES FESTIVAL, QUEENSLAND, AUS
2024 BLUES AND BBQ FESTIVAL - NZ
2024 MATSUMURA BLUES FESTIVAL - ST KILDA, AUS
2024 MATSUMURA BLUES FESTIVAL - MILDURA, AUS
2024 GREENSTONE ENTERTAINMENT SUMMER CONCERT TOUR - NZ
2024 LOVE TAUPO TRAIL FESTIVAL - NZ
2024 GRANT HAUA EXPLOSION TOUR - NZ
2024 PAPAMOA MATARIKI FESTIVAL - NZ
2024 HUME BLUES CLUB ASSOCIATION - THORNBURY, AUS
2024 KINSTOCK FESTIVAL - NZ
2024 GOURMET CANVA FOOD FESTIVAL / HEADLINER SHOW - NZ
2024 SUNDAY SESSIONS SERIES - NZ
2023 BLUES AND BBQ FESTIVAL / GUEST BAND - NZ
2023 KOTAHITANGA FESTIVAL - NZ
2023 ROTORUA LAKESIDE CONCERT - NZ
2022 'THE AFTER' TOUR - NZ
2022 RATANA PAA 25TH CELEBRATION - NZ
2022 KIWI EAGLES EXPERIENCE TRIBUTE TOUR - NZ
2022 HAMILTON CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK - NZ
2022 WAIKATO A&P SHOW - NZ
2022 CHUR CHON SUNDAY SERIES - TOTARA ST - NZ
2022 TUNES OF WAIKATO TOUR - NZ
2022 FOGSTOCK FESTIVAL - NZ
FESTIVAL REVIEW
LIVE FOOTAGE
MUSIC RELEASES