Splore returns for the ultimate 2010 summer romp
Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 1:02 pm

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It happens only every second summer and is renowned for integrating and showcasing all creative disciplines into one weekend that delights, surprises and stimulates the senses of its audience. It's the Splore festival and returns for the eighth time this summer on February 19-21, 2010.

It sounds utopian, a place where music, art and nature merge to inspire a weekend of joyous celebration. Splore isn't so much a festival, as a life experience that continues to bring together people from all over the world to frolic in the summer splendor at the Tapapakanga Regional Park, a slice of coastal paradise on the Hauraki Gulf, just 70km south east of Auckland.

Tapapakanga Regional Park is an idyllic spot for the festival, says Splore founder and director Amanda Wright. "The awesome location creates this relaxed environment you can immerse yourself in for a few days with your friends, in amongst great music, performance and art installations." With 8,000 people converging on the site, Tapapakanga Regional Park is transformed into the residence and playground of a temporary community.

Entertainment is divided through multiple zones and music genres. From electro dance beats to dub, soul and reggae, the music is a diverse mix of local and international artists split between live acts on the main stage and DJ zones.

In 2008, Splore added the Living Lounge, an eclectic space that hosts, among other events, a Saturday night cabaret party. Last year's 'Butterfly Zoo' was critically acclaimed as a highlight of the festival and inspired attendees to dress for a steaming hot night in 1930s Shanghai. In 2010, the party is themed as 'Midsummer Night's Dream 2050' and promises once again to capture all imaginations in a night of spectacular entertainment, crammed with performances, where the audience is invited to engage and explore the fantasy of the era, by theming themselves, their dress and their persona.

Adding to the appealing aesthetic design of the festival, the Splore art trail weaves throughout the location providing New Zealand artists' the chance to present works in a sublime natural and living environment, and encouraging a response of participation and engagement from the audience.

Splore is family friendly, catering to children and families with a kids zone, a family only camping area, and new to the festival, a teen zone where teens can work on their own creative projects and get fully involved in the festival.

At the core of the festival's ethos is sustainability, driven by Amanda's vision and passion for the planet. She says it's a challenge the festival is definitely up for. "An event of this nature has the potential to leave a nasty carbon footprint from transport, energy and waste," she says. "We have worked hard to establish sustainable processes, from our office practices to the festival site, to the sponsors and suppliers we align with."

Earlybird tickets were announced to the Splore database two months ago and sold out in record time. Tickets are now available to the public at http://www.iticket.co.nz. Ticket prices are $175 until the end of October, and $185 from November until the festival sells out. All tickets include two nights camping at Tapapakanga Regional Park.

Don't miss out on Splore 2010, a place where music, art and nature merge to inspire a weekend of summer celebration.

For regular updates on the festival's line-up, along with announcements of new acts, performances and artists visit http://www.splore.net/

RE: Splore returns for the ultimate 2010 summer romp
Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2009 10:31 am

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Basement Jaxx to headline Splore 2010!

Wooohooo!!!! Bring on Splore 2010! There's no doubt that Basement Jaxx are one of the ultimate party starters on the scene. Not seen in NZ since their killer full performance at Big Day Out 2004, this is a one-off chance for enthusiasts to get their groove with two of the most critically acclaimed producers right on the beach at Splore! Riding on the back of their freshly released fifth album Scars, Basement Jaxx will be highlighting their new tunes, taking things right back to Rooty, and dishing out all the classics in between with a huge DJ set.

The current lineup also includes Loop favourites Nickodemus and Mystro building up an exciting pool of talent to bring you the best festival vibes of the summer!

Splore 2010 Lineup

Basement Jaxx - DJ Set (UK), Jamie Lidell (UK), d Bridge & Instra:mental present Club Automatic (UK), Nickodemus (USA), Mystro (UK), The Gaslamp Killer (USA), Spektrum (UK), Kid Carpet (UK), Daniel Haaksman (GER), 10 Sui (UK), Dub FX (UK/AUS), Spikey Tee (UK/AUS), Mikki Dee (IRE), Sola Rosa, Tahuna Breaks, Minuit, Electric Wire Hustle, Pitch Black, King Kapisi, Nathan Haines, Clap Clap Riot, Kidz In Space, North Shore Pony Club, Zoh Zoh, Olmecha Supreme, Nick D, Philippa, Dubhead, Murray Cammick, Bobbito Brazuka & Jennifer Zea, Six 60, Easy, The Nukes and Doc Westie.

RE: Splore returns for the ultimate 2010 summer romp
Posted: Wed Dec 2, 2009 7:34 pm

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RE: Splore returns for the ultimate 2010 summer romp
Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 3:43 pm

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The ultimate 2010 summer romp!
19-21 February 2010

It sounds utopian, a place where music, art and nature merge to inspire a weekend of joyous celebration. Splore isn’t as much a festival as a life experience that continues to bring people together from all over the world to frolic in the summer splendour at the Tapapakanga Regional Park, a slice of coastal paradise on the Hauraki Gulf, just 70km south east of Auckland.

Entertainment is divided through multiple zones and genres creating the multi-faceted Splore experience which combines an eclectic music lineup, live dramatic and cabaret performances in the Living Lounge, community interaction through workshops, a festive ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream 2050’ themed party and a visual arts exhibition within the Splore Art Trail.

Taking to Splore’s music stages this year are headline acts Lupe Fiasco (USA) and Basement Jaxx – DJ Set (UK) who will be bringing with them a host of their best MCs: Ms Sharlene Hector, Mr Mark James and Ms Nonkulelekho Malinga. Lupe Fiasco and Basement Jaxx are backed up by an array of both international and local talent including Jamie Lidell (UK), Nickodemus (USA), Mystro (UK), d Bridge & Instra:mental present Club Automatic (UK), The Gaslamp Killer (USA), Spektrum (UK), 10 Sui (UK), Dub FX (AUS), Spikey Tee (UK/AUS), Mikki Dee (IRE), Sola Rosa, Tahuna Breaks, Minuit, Electric Wire Hustle, Pitch Black, King Kapisi, Nathan Haines, Clap Clap Riot, Zoh Zoh, Olmecha Supreme, Nick D, Philippa, Dubhead, Murray Cammick, Bobbito Brazuka and Jennifer Zea, Six 60, Easy, The Nukes, Doc Westie, Kidz in Space and North Shore Pony Club.

The Living Lounge is an imaginative space that hosts a variety of activity including spoken word, comedy, theatre, music, circus, dance, film and workshops. Featuring a myriad of performances from breath-taking acrobatics at dizzying heights by daredevils Fuse Circus to the flashy and exquisite Birds of Paradise cabaret and more. Within the Living Lounge programme will be a sweeping Saturday night flamboyant party themed ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream 2050’, beginning with a lantern-lit procession through the festival and inviting all festival goers to theme themselves and transform their persona. Stepping into this alternate reality means casting aside all notions of normality and succumbing to the extraordinary world that is the Living Lounge.

Adding to the appealing aesthetic design of the festival, the Splore art trail will weave throughout the location presenting works from a diverse cross section of contemporary New Zealand architects, film-makers, painters, writers, video artists, sculptors, photographers, spatial designers and performance artists in a sublime natural and living environment. Splore 2010 will expose 21 art projects including artists Martin Horspool and his Retrobots, Niki Hastings-McFall, Cleve Cameron and the return of festival-goer favourites Cut Collective.

Splore is family friendly, catering to their shared needs with fast-lane entry at the gates to the family only camping area and the Rumpus Room, an integrated creative kids/teen zone that includes circus tricks, hula lessons and stories by Dick Weir. Transforming into the GloZone at night, this space will provide a place for teens to hang out, listen to music and experiment with fluro art.

Over the lifespan of Splore, husbands and wives have been found, lovers have proposed to their darlings, babies have been conceived and there's been lots of loving on the festival menu. For the first time Splore will provide a wedding chapel and qualified celebrant for those that would genuinely like to get married and have a big ole party to celebrate. Bookings are essential.
At the core of the festival’s ethos is sustainability, driven by founder and director Amanda Wright’s vision and passion for the planet. She says it’s a challenge the festival is definitely up for. “An event of this nature has the potential to leave a nasty carbon footprint from transport, energy and waste,” she says. “We have worked hard to establish sustainable processes, from our office practices to the festival site, to the sponsors and suppliers we align with.”

What are you waiting for? Tickets are only $185 for the full weekend including free camping and are available from iTICKET (www.iticket.co.nz). In the wake of the tragic Haiti Earthquake disaster Splore will be donating $1 from every ticket sold since the disaster to Oxfam to help with relief. Oxfam specialise in providing drinking water, sanitation and helping rebuild homes and lives.

Don’t miss out on Splore 2010, a three-day weekend that will delight, surprise, inspire and stimulate the senses. For regular updates and more information visit www.splore.net.

RE: Splore returns for the ultimate 2010 summer romp
Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2010 8:17 pm

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SPLORE REVIEW
By River Tucker

With just the right balance of good vibes, friendly faces and fantastic entertainment, Splore is a must attend festival suitable for the entire family. It’s a biannual event running for three days and situated in the idyllic Tapapakanga Regional Park, a slice of heaven on the coast just 30 minutes drive south east of Auckland. Splore 2010 was an extravaganza of creative flare and contemporary music enjoyed by people from throughout New Zealand and around the world. The multifaceted entertainment on offer invigorated, inspired and engaged on many levels.

After a moving Powhiri, Tahuna Breaks kicked things into gear on the main stage with tasty grooves and a smooth jazz influenced brass section, breaking into well-rounded solos. Retro style keyboards and percussion driven reggae got people into a summer party mood.
Jamie Lidell was particularly suited to his time slot and the good vibes kept rolling in. Close your eyes and you would think you’re listening to the vocals of a 1960’s African American artist. One of New Yorks finest!

Lupe Fiasco continued the theme with 80’s influenced samples in a techno based performance of new wave, hip-hop and funk, testament to the ever-evolving medium of music. Things were warming up as people enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere.

Minuit emphatically called to the audience and they responded with enthusiasm to the eclectic mix of sharp, synthesizer driven, paranormal techno. Love or hate them, Minuit is vastly significant in the New Zealand sound spectrum.
With the dance area now packed, Basement Jaxx rounded out Friday night at a respectable 2:00 AM with earth shattering, particle breaking floor fillers. Well-crafted key changes in song breakdowns were especially good. And that was just day one on the main stage.

Festival-goers had plenty of places of interest to visit on the site including the Rumpus Room (circus style workshops and kids entertainment), the Rum Shack (exceptional DJ’s) and the Living Lounge (yoga, dance and human interest events) to name a few. The Art Trail had interactive installations including an environmentally friendly bicycle-powered movie theatre; walk through sculptures and a talking robot. People were engaged amused and impressed with a plethora of exquisite creativity. The surrounding sound scape of giant xylophone, human weight-tuned walk on sculpture and experimental music awakened the senses. The Time Machine, a barn like Dr Who tardus had cameras, projectors and triggered samples, which explored the symbiotic relationship between technology and nature. The interactive displays were testament to the extensive talent of the visual arts team.

Saturday started with Electric Wire Hustle’s subtle funk; an easy and soothing beginning to another full on day of music. Their sweet reverberations and the glorious day drew campers down the goat track to enjoy the soulful tunes at the main stage beside the sea.
Herbaliscious reggae from Zoh Zoh had West Afro beat-jazz spiked with a clever sprinkling of calypso rhythms. Front-man Yaw Boateng also conducted an excellent workshop about the relationship of the drum and the human voice.

Working the crowd, Six60 delivered their special brand of soul/reggae with inspired lyrics from Matiu Walters. Duo guitar solos intertwined in an old school meets new mash up. Electronically driven with synthesizers in the second half of their set, the load occasionally drowned out the drums.
Olmecha Supreme’s parasympathetic songs made one feel fine. One of the highlights of the day being the tag team of beat boxer King Homeboy and drummer Myele Manzanza. Cool and technically superb, they had no genre specific musical boundaries. B boys and girls applauded the break-dancer who pulled out all the stops. Band leader Imon Star’s infectious smile worked with massive effect! Gorgeous party people, with their groove on, danced in the nearby waves getting refreshed and ready for the night of festivities ahead.
Hip-hop rap from King Kapisi towered high and the audience responded with mad respect.
Sola Rosa’s well performed; consistent and solid songs were very suited to the setting.
Dub FX nicely shifted the sound spectrum for the day with perfect beat box timed loops and powerful singing.
Spectrum at times minimalist and explorative kept the good times going.
Pitch Black was delicious!

The much-anticipated Midsummer Nights Dream, with a 2050 theme, was a cornucopia of exquisite burlesque dancing and sexual innuendo tastefully performed. The fire dancing, fire eating and fire breathing of extraordinary dynamics, was matched only by the fantastic acrobatics and displays of incredible strength. Colourful and flamboyant, both the performers and audience, were there to party. Then the trapeze artists of Fuse Circus made the flying rig come alive with a death defying aerial performance. Their immaculately timed, daredevil acrobatics were perfectly in step with the soundtrack.

On day three Dubhead’s easy tones reverberated through the mellow crowd encouraging them into another fantastic morning and afternoon of enjoyable events.
Easy Intent cranked it up a notch with sweet funky rap from a tight ten-piece ensemble. Re-energizing the good vibes.
Then blissful jazz funk from Nathan Haines’ tenor sax, reverberated out over the crowd and the water to the ten or so boats moored in the bay. With a good mixture of effects throughout the set, the soundman worked hard to keep the levels perfect. Nathan indicated song changes, which were precisely executed. Joel Haines’ guitar spoke passionate phrases while soulful backing vocals and keyboards warmed the sound. Professional in every respect their music was a delight.
Nickodemus brought the high flying audience back down to ground with plenty of time left in the day to pack for the journey home, well satisfied.

As with many festivals, some on site amenities could have had more planning and attention. The hot sun and thirsty music lovers caused the bars to occasionally run out of lubrication. At times the sound system on the main stage did not do justice to the artists performances although most were blissfully unaware of any technical issues. Overall DJ sets were consistent and performances were well enhanced by VJ’s (Video Jockeys) intimate with the material. Generally campers respected the request to leave no trace of their presence and revelry in the idyllic setting and festival security was discreet but effective.

Gatherers at Splore 2010 enjoyed a variety of fantastic entertainment and great music, stunning weather, light coastal swells and mild nights, all conducive to having a great time camping in the best country on earth; Aotearoa. Splore certainly helps to form such opinions.

RE: Splore returns for the ultimate 2010 summer romp
Posted: Thu Sep 9, 2010 4:19 pm

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