By Ren Kirk
Splore 2012 promises to be a something-for-everyone-extravaganza!
Set on a pohutukawa fringed coast line of the stunning Tapapakanga Regional Park, Splore and its beach front location is a festival experience like no other in Aotearoa. Even beyond our fair shores this three day extravaganza is now firmly cemented on the international entertainment circuit, for both performers and attendees.
2012 sees a high profile music line-up for the biennial festival, including soul and style icon Erykah Badu making her New Zealand debut, along with the UK’s genre-bending Soul II Soul, much feted electronic producer/DJ Hudson Mohawke (another NZ first) and the exciting new collaboration of multi DMC world champ DJ Qbert (USA) and top beat boxer Reeps One (UK).
Kiwi music fans won’t be left wanting either, with a raft of top Kiwi talent. Multi-platinum award-winning artist Tiki returns to the main stage for an acoustic set, with backing from Optimus Gryme, and after the success of their self-titled debut release late last year, The Yoots ensemble are sure to be a crowd pleaser. Wellington three piece The Nudge will be dishing out their cosmic blues and roots mix, while @Peace will no doubt deliver danceable hip hop lyrics and beats.
Lord Echo and His Melodies, Funkommunity, Latin Aotearoa, AHoriBuzz and many more will join local DJ’s such as Scratch 22, Dick Johnson, Nick Dwyer and Alphabethead in dispatching a diverse programme throughout the weekend.
In an exciting development for Splore 2012, the aforementioned DJs and punters will be pretty happy about the inclusion of a fully video mapped DJ stage. Pixels will pulse and move as the DJ area truly comes to life.
Splore is by no means strictly music though, with an eclectic line up of VJs and performing artists, projects and workshops, delicious food vendors, market stalls and fully licensed bars, as well as including a curated visual arts programme.
A feature of this year’s arts programme will see renowned British curator Emma Underhill (UP Projects) collaborate with local arts group Cut Collective and architect Jasper Middleton, on the design and construction of a pavilion for the festival. Supported by British Council and Creative NZ, the Portavilion Splore 2012 project will create opportunities for long time Splore artists Cut Collective to extend their arts practice in new directions, and bring a new level of innovation to the festival.
Designed around a common reusable material and with layers of Cut Collective’s artwork integrated into the architectural structure, the Portavilion will play host to a number of performances, community participation artworks and workshops.
And for anyone who has been to Splore before they’ll know that participation is another key feature and highlight of this festival. The boundaries between artist and audience are often blurred, and that’s exactly the way the organisers want it. Involvement, immersion and engagement are part of what leads to and helps create the magical Splore culture - something that sees festival goers come back repeatedly and travel from far and wide.
Dressing up is a big part of every Splore festival, and I’m sure this year will be no exception. With the theme announced as The Island of Hooha, the public have been asked to, “Please Dress Appropriately”. Appropriate, if you didn’t know already, entails a mix of dear-devil dress-up, crazy costumery, wild wig-wearing, make-up and masquerade, anything glowing or glittery, and all in the name of hilarity and hi jinx.
..
Ren will be reporting from Splore 2012 for 3news.co.nz, so stay tuned for photos and updates throughout the weekend.
3 News