Saturday, 26 September, 7.30pm - 8.30pm

The Hannah, 12 Cambridge Terrace, Te Aro, Wellington, 6021 (map)

The songs we love don’t tell the whole story. 

Legendary frontman of Shihad and The Adults, Jon Toogood, pulls back the curtain on a 37-year career that helped define New Zealand rock, and the personal cost that came with it. From a music-obsessed childhood in Wellington to the roar of international stages, this is a life driven by sound.

Weaving powerful conversation with solo performances of his songs, Jon revisits the moments that shaped him, taking the audience on a VIP tour through a life of music, sharing untold stories, songwriting secrets, and the candid truths about mental health. 

Writer and broadcaster, Nick Bollinger joins him to explore the sounds and stories that forged an astounding career.

This is more than a rock story.

Pre-order your copy of Jon Toogood’s memoir, Home Again, published by Moa Press at Unity Books Wellington, Verb’s Official Festival Bookselling Partner

The full Verb Writers & Readers 2026 Programme will be announced on August 14 2026.

Many thanks to our generous funders, sponsors and members of Verb Community in supporting Verb Readers & Writers Festival 2026.