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News that the Auckland region would move into the orange phase of the “traffic light” framework on December 30 was cause for celebration for some festival organisers, but a party pooper for others.
The fate of the Hidden Valley Festival at the Matakana Country Park hung by a thread. It was originally scheduled for December 27, which as things turned out was too early to benefit from the phase change.
At the last minute, organisers Red Rum Touring were able to reschedule to January 2, but it has left festival-goers scrambling to change their plans.
Mangawhai’s Patrick Cullinan of T-Rata tours had organised accommodation and purchased 200 tickets to the festival for his guests. Each year, he holds a “before” and “after” party for Hidden Valley and organises coaches for safe transport to and from the festival.
He is now trying to re-organise his bookings for the new date.
Around 5000 people are expected to attend the festival, headlined by UK artist Wilkinson.
Red Rum Touring has not announced a refund option for ticket-holders who are unable to attend the new date, but is encouraging those with questions to contact the Hidden Valley Facebook page. Tickets were sold out, but a small number of final release tickets, priced from $200, went on sale last week.
The three-day Northern Bass festival scheduled for December 29 to 31 has been rescheduled in the wake of news that Northland would be held in the red phase until at least January 17.
Organisers say they are “heartbroken”, after having put in thousands of hours of work.
The festival has been optimistically rescheduled for Auckland Anniversary Weekend next year (January 28-30).
Ticketholders have been emailed and given the choice of holding their tickets, deferring to 2023 or getting a refund.
Meanwhile, High Life Festival, scheduled to take place on New Year’s Eve at Ascension Winery in Matakana, managed to stay clear of the red light phase by a single day.
The festival has long been sold out, despite the line-up not yet being announced.
Organisers say they are bringing a “boutique Ibiza-style experience” to Matakana. This year, the event has been restricted to those aged 22 and above “to cater to a slightly more seasoned audience.”
Summer Classic is scheduled for Waitangi weekend, (February 6-7), at Ascension Winery with headline act DJ Kanine from the UK and Kiwi acts including Sachi and Melodownz. Less than 100 tickets are remaining and cost $110. The line-up is still to be announced.
Shipwrecked boutique art and music festival is returning to Te Arai on the weekend of February 11 to 13. Only day passes are remaining for $100, despite the line-up not yet being announced.
