19 November 2003 - 0 Comments
It’s sunset. Picture yourself in a lush, green meadow, surrounded by tall, leafy trees. You’re lying next to a fresh flowing river. Look up and out over the sea to the mighty Coromandel Ranges. Music is playing; there is an awesome vibe in the air. You’re at Splore.
For the fifth year the Splore Festival is returning this summer, with the three day event happening again at the stunning Waharau Regional Park 5-7 March. In 2004 Splore will again be showcasing Aotearoa/New Zealand’s finest DJ’s, live acts, VJ’s, visual artists and performers.
“Splore 2002 was a great success” says co-organiser Amanda Wright. “The venue is idyllic and allows us to transform the space into the ultimate festival environment. We can’t wait to get back there.”
The first Splore was held on New Year’s Eve 1998 and the festival ran consecutively for four years and then took a year off. This summer Splore is back. Over its five year evolution, the event has moved from an underground outdoor party into a fully integrated arts festival providing music (and lots of it!), workshops, performances, film, interactive art, sculpture, organic food and refreshments in a sublime natural environment.
The last Splore (2002) featured a number of international artists, including the UK’s State of Bengal and US performers from Nevada’s Burning Man Festival. Confirmed names for 2004 include Fat Freddys Drop, International Observor, Trinity Roots, Manuel Bundy, Concord Dawn, Roger Perry, Cian, Sub-Mariner and many more. “It’s a New Zealand electronic/live music festival first and foremost, says Amanda “Overseas acts will also be performing as guests amongst our own world class acts”.
Splore will host two main music stages with satellite zones for different collectives to create their own style of music and atmosphere.
As well as being a three-day groove fest, Splore is also a huge outdoor art gallery. An interactive art trail will highlight the creativity on offer. Splore is also a performance space, with star billing in 2003 going to the part-man/part machine Lightning Rider, who through Tesla technology (look it up) can shoot forks of lightning from his fingers. The Lightning Rider blew the Splore 2002 crowds away. He is, quite simply, unbelievable.
“We have been carefully planning a five year project” says Amanda “Splore 2004 will be the realisation of that five year series. We definitely plan on pulling out all our trump cards.”
Whether you choose to dance all night, do a mountain bike trail, drink bubbly with friends, pop off to the hot pools, shop at the market or do a yoga class, there really is something for everyone at Splore.
Don’t miss this essential summer event!
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