Flight of the Conchords’ US reunion brings needed joy: ‘Grateful you accepted people from outside your country’

Flight of the Conchords returned to the American stage on May 9, 2026, performing at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles. The appearance by the New Zealand comedy duo marked their first performances in the United States in eight years, serving as a centerpiece of the Netflix Is a Joke festival.

The performance at the 5,900-capacity outdoor venue highlighted the enduring comedic chemistry between Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie. The duo utilized their signature understated charm and banter to create an intimate atmosphere despite the large scale of the crowd.

A central moment of the evening involved a lyrical update to their 2008 song Robots. Originally written from the perspective of an android uprising, the song was adapted to address the modern landscape of artificial intelligence.

During the performance, Clement, acting as a frustrated robot, remarked that Humans invented artificial intelligence, and then they had us doing really stupid shit with it.

McKenzie expanded on this commentary, noting that humans provided AI with all the knowledge, deep learning and the capacity to solve complex, scientific mathematical equations, only to then ask the technology questions such as ‘How do you cook an egg?’

The Los Angeles show followed a short run of concerts in Wellington, New Zealand. That leg of the reunion included four shows at the Meow Nui venue, which sold out within minutes of being announced in April 2026.

This return to live performance ends a hiatus that began in 2018. The duo’s career trajectory has previously included a BBC radio show and an HBO series that aired between 2007 and 2009, establishing them as a prominent force in international comedy.

Throughout the evening, Clement and McKenzie balanced their comedic routines with reflections on the passage of time and the state of the world since their last tour. The tone of the event was described as a momentary antidote to a world that has become more terrifying since their previous performances.

McKenzie also took a moment to address the American audience directly, expressing appreciation for the support the duo has received in the United States.

America, you’ve been so incredibly welcoming to us, and we’re very grateful that you accepted some people from outside your country.

Bret McKenzie

In addition to the updated material, the reunion included staples of their catalog, such as Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenoceros, showcasing the rap-funk-comedy style that originally brought them to global prominence.

The reunion events in Wellington and California represent the first time the duo has toured or performed together in nearly a decade, reaffirming their position as a unique fixture in the comedy and music landscape.