One Love REVIEW
Reviewed by River

There couldn't have been a nicer day to attend the 13th annual One Love concert held at Wellington's Hataitai Velodrome. The Eastern kicked things off with some banjo-picking, knee- slapping rockabilly goodness. Think Waratahs but with husky vocals and female harmonies. Listeners to the simulcast on Radio Active 89FM may have been prompted to come to the concert by hearing The Easterns' excellent set.

Richard Nunns and the Etymologists took the stage after some top ranking MC work. Conjuring up images of tropical rainforests and strange animal calls, Richard exhibited his skill with atmospheric flutes and all manner of percussive instruments. With trance-like and slightly disconcerting sound-scapes, the highly experienced musicians pleased the crowd with experimental rhythms from clarinet, jews harp and even a piece of polystyrene. The cross-pollination of 80's arcade samples worked well with traditional Maori instruments.

The Midnights got people onto their feet and dancing with some tasty reggae. Soaring guitar licks in well-executed reggae songs were very suited to the event. At times The Midnights would break into some skank, to the joy of the crowd. The smell of the festival wafted through the air while people relaxed in the shade on terraces where the gentle breeze swirled the sound around slightly.

Don McGlashan opened with a mihi and talked about the significance of the day, being both Waitangi Day and Bob Marley's birthday.  The upbeat Dominion Road led into the mellower Everything's Broken; Life's so Sweet. McGlashan's warm, emphatic vocals captivated everyone's attention and his band provided him with excellent support performing some of the three decades worth of brilliant songs he can draw upon. The hit song Bathe in the River saw Don singing in falsetto with beautiful gospel style backing vocals from keyboardist, Dominic Blazer, and bass player/accordionist, Maree Thom. The sweet power of the music was spiritual and uplifting.  Nature Enter Me is so well known the crowd merrily sang along. The slow ballad Anchor Me closed out the set.  McGlashans expertly constructed songs, along with their professional and heartfelt rendition at One Love, confirms his position as an elder statesman and well-loved song-smith of New Zealand music.

The sound system kicked into gear and up a notch with Sola Rosa. Large thumping bass drum dominated the airwaves and Jamaican style rap from Spikey Tee crisply melded together with the rock steady beat.   Triggered samples rounded out the sound but at times the band overly relied on these and it would be nice to see some tracks performed with a full ensemble. The wah wah guitar worked a treat and Rachel Fraser captured the resonance of the event with her soulful vocals. Weaving together influences from many genres', including touches of calypso rhythm, it was a professional and solid performance enjoyed by the musicians just as much as the audience.

Dub step with hints of downbeat ragamuffin from Mungo's HiFi had an electronica edge. Generally positive messages, with a little gangster rap thrown in, from four experienced Scottish based performers kept people amping as the sun started to go down.

Overall the concert was professionally run and between bands the breaks filled with heart thumping reggae kept the crowd dancing. This festival works despite stiff competition from events such as the International Rugby Sevens and the Wellington Fringe Festival. One Love was well worth the ticket price; a relaxing and uplifting musical event enjoyed by young and old alike.

Timetable Announced for One Love

On Saturday February the 6th, an expected audience of 15,000 will descend on Wellington's Hataitai Velodrome for One Love on Waitangi Day – the 13th edition of the lower North Island's premier outdoor summer music festival.

Boasting double headliners Don McGlashan and Sola Rosa (feat Spikey Tee & Rachel Fraser), these two heavy hitting talents will be aptly supported by local acts The Midnights, The Eastern, Richard Nunns and the Etymologists, Scotland's Mungos Hi-Fi (feat Ras Stone), Radio Active 89fm's Roots and Culture DJs and host MC, Don Luchito.

Traditionally a reggae event, following 2009's foray into soul and psychedelica, 2010 sees One Love's music expanding to cover reggae, roots, soul and folk music. Falling inline with One Love's philosophy of unity within diversity and reflective of our contemporary identity as citizens of Aotearoa.

Although there will be a bar onsite, One Love is not B.Y.O, bag searches will be in full effect on entry. No glass, dogs or patches are permitted inside the event. Car-parking will be limited to 300 spaces, so walk to the event, or catch a Green Cab. Proceedings kick off at 11am, arrive early and plan for a full day of entertainment. Featuring food, arts and craft stalls and amusements for children, at a measly $10 entry, One Love represents real bang for your buck. Come on down, we absolutely can't wait to see you there!

Special thanks must go to Juice TV, Run The Red, Speights Summit, San Francisco Bathhouse, Wellington City Council and Radio Active 89fm for making the event possible

One Love: Top Ranking
Saturday February 6, Waitangi Day 2010
Hataitai Velodrome, Wellington

11am – 7.00pm
11.30am –The Eastern
1.00pm –The Midnights
2.15pm – Richard Nunns & The Etymologists
3.00pm – Don McGlashan
4.15pm - Sola Rosa feat. Spikey Tee
5.45pm - Mungo’s HiFi (UK) feat. Ras Stone

TopKnot, Ras Twig, Misteek & Art Official with MC Silva
will be Djing between band sets.

Top Ranking Line-up announced for One Love in Wellington

Waitangi Day 2010 @ Hataitai Velodrome

A stellar line-up is set to sizzle in the sun for the biggest party in Wellington for Waitangi Day, Radio Active 89FM's One Love 2010.

A crowd of 15,000 is expected to flock to Wellington's Hataitai Velodrome on February 6, 2010 to celebrate unity and our unique Aotearoa identity in what has become one of an iconic event on the Wellington entertainment calendar.

The HUGE top-notch line-up has been announced today that Sola Rosa feat Spikey Tee, Don McGlashan, The Eastern, The Midnights, Mungo’s Hifi and Richard Nunns and the Etymologists will play One Love 2010, one of the biggest annual outdoor concerts in New Zealand.

Added to the mix are the Roots and Culture DJs Topknot, Ras Twig, Misteek and Art Official from Radio Active 89FM. More announcements are expected in 2010.

One Love 2010 event director Hadden Morrison said the line-up spans the core values of why One Love was started 12 years ago: unity, reflection, identity and a big day of fun in the sun.

"This is an A-Class line-up that is one of the strongest we've ever had for the One Love festival," he said. "We really couldn't be happier that these bands, all first-choice, will be part of this unique celebration of New Zealand culture”.

Sola Rosa have been playing to sold out shows around the country this year and have Jamaican emcee Spikey Tee flying over especially for One Love. Don McGlashan shouldn’t need any introduction as one of New Zealand’s most respected musicians with a career spanning 30 years and netting two Silver Scrolls.

2009 was a special year for Richard Nunns– he was awarded a Queens Service Medal for services to Taonga Puoru, was admitted to the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame and became an Artist Laureate of the Arts Foundation of New Zealand, he epitomizes One Love's sense of positivity and togetherness.

The Midnights are undoubtedly Aoteroa’s up ‘n coming Reggae band. The Eastern are New Zealand's roots and country kings and Mungo Hifi have worked with some of the best reggae deejay’s in the world including Ranking Joe and Top Cat.

One Love has averaged more than 15,000 people over the past few years, packing the picturesque Hataitai Velodrome on the south side of Mt Victoria, with commanding views towards Wellington’s south coast.

In addition, One Love features a bar, arts & crafts, fashion and food stalls, and amusements for the kids. Admission for this year's event is $10, representing one hell of a bang for your buck, and in keeping with previous policies aimed at providing a friendly and family atmosphere.

One Love: Top Ranking

Saturday February 6, Waitangi Day 2010
11am - 6:30pm
Hataitai Velodrome, Wellington

Don McGlashan
Sola Rosa feat. Spikey Tee
Richard Nunns & The Etymologists
The Eastern
Mungo’s HiFi
The Midnights
DJ’s TopKnot, Ras Twig, Misteek & Art Official

 Entry $10 (under 5s free) with free Active Card included
* no patches, no dogs, no BYO *

For more information, check out www.radioactive.co.nz