Aotearoa’s drumming community is about to get a whole lot louder! SAE Creative Media Institute’s Auckland campus will host Drummers Day Out 2026 on Saturday 31st October, bringing together performers, educators, and gear heads from across the country for a full day of live performances, hands-on workshops, and industry panels. Held at SAE Institute, Auckland, the event is open to drummers of every level, from bedroom players picking up sticks for the first time to seasoned session pros already in the industry.
“Super stoked to bring Drummers Day Out to SAE Auckland! They’ve supported us with this event previously, so we’re thrilled to team up again!” says Swap Gomez, Curator of Drummers Day Out
Drummers Day Out is created and curated by drummer Swap Gomez and sponsored by SAE Institute, with support from Rockshop and Melodics. Swap Gomez is originally from Bangladesh and has now been based in Aotearoa for more than two decades. Swap is a professional drummer, director, producer, educator, editor, and events manager who has toured and recorded with artists including Tom Scott, CHAII, and more.
Drummers Day Out has become a focus for Auckland’s drumming community, creating the chance for drummers who normally only cross paths on tour, in session work, or online, to get together and express their love for the craft, while discussing new industry knowledge.
This year’s workshop lineup is stacked with names Auckland’s drumming community know well. Attendees will get practical with technique, gear, and production, led by professional drummers like Nic Martin, who since 15 years old, has held down the drum kit for hard rock band Devilskin; Henare Kaa, drummer with Dillastrate and Frankie Venter; and Alistair Deverick. There’ll also be a hands-on production workshop with Grammy-nominated artist Rory Noble, known for his work with Burna Boy. To end the day, Corbin Kuhtze (Kaylee Bell), Ciara Bernstein (Half/Time) and Elijah Whyte (Georgia Lines) join a panel discussion on what it takes to work and freelance as a drummer, covering touring, session work, performance, and building a sustainable career in music.
SAE Creative Media Institute is excited to support Drummers Day Out and host it at our Auckland campus! This event will open up conversations about the realities of the drumming industry: touring, session work, teaching, and the business of being a working musician. Today’s drummers are also working as educators, content creators, session players, and small business owners navigating a creative industry that increasingly rewards versatility. Events like Drummers Day Out give Auckland’s drumming community an encouraging space to build more connections and connect with their community.
Drummers Day Out 2026 has now completely sold out. Doors open from 11:00 am-5:00 pm at SAE Institute, Auckland, Parnell! The event is free to attend for registered guests, with all ages and experience levels welcome. Drummers, students, industry professionals, and anyone curious about the craft are invited to come along, watch, learn, and connect with Auckland’s drumming community. Drummers still keen to attend, are encouraged to join the waitlist here.
Read more about Drummers Day Out here!
