Kaylee Bell headlines Marlborough Food and Wine Festival

Amy Russ

Kaylee Bell’s rise through New Zealand’s music scene has been anything but accidental. Years of persistence, songwriting honesty, and an unwavering belief in her own voice have seen her evolve from a determined young artist into one of the country’s most awarded and recognisable performers.

Known for blending modern country with pop sensibility, Kaylee has built a sound that feels both contemporary and deeply relatable. As a singer-songwriter, her work explores love, self-discovery, and resilience, drawing listeners in with lyrics that reflect real experiences rather than polished clichés. This authenticity has become her signature and the foundation of her growing success at home and overseas.

This weekend, Kaylee brings her sound to Renwick Domain, where she will perform as part of the Marlborough Wine and Food Festival lineup. For Saturday’s audience, it’s a chance to experience an artist who continues to evolve, connect and tell her story through music that feels unmistakably her own.

She describes the vibe of her show as “energetic, country, pop.” At the festival, Kaylee says she’s excited about “trying new wines and finding a glass of Cloudy Bay.”

Big moment
Behind the accolades lies a long journey of hard work. Originally from Waimate, she built her career performing, writing, and releasing her own songs.

One standout career moment occurred during 2022, with her blind audition on “The Voice Australia.” Kaylee took a bold risk by performing her original song “Keith”– a tribute to country legend Keith Urban, who was seated right in front of her as a coach.

Instead of covering a well-known hit, she debuted a track that cleverly wove Urban’s song titles into its lyrics, celebrating his influence on her musical journey. The performance resonated instantly with all four coaches turning their chairs.

Kaylee’s audition became a viral highlight and helped elevate her profile both in Australia and internationally. But rather than chasing trends, Kaylee focused on creating music that felt true to who she was at each stage of her life. That commitment has paid off, earning her multiple awards, chart success and a loyal fanbase that continues to expand.

Kiwi icon
On stage, Kaylee’s confidence and warmth are immediately apparent. Her performances strike a perfect balance between polished professionalism and genuine connection. Her hope for audiences? “That they wanna see us again!”
Kaylee is also admired for the way she represents modern New Zealand artistry.

She has become a role model for emerging musicians, showing that success can be built on persistence, self-belief and staying true to creative instincts.

Looking ahead to Saturday, Kaylee says she and her band are “very excited to play and be back in Marlborough, and can’t wait to see our fans, and hopefully make some new ones.”