Back at work, full of filter coffee and saying so-long to sunshine for the rest of the year?
You don’t have to embrace the post-holiday blues just yet. I personally refuse to call Summer quits; January and February are the perfect time to book into festivals and enjoy while the last rays of sunshine lingering all around New Zealand.
Top of my list this year is Coastella, the festival up on the Kapiti Coast, just an hour away from Wellington. Tickets to this exclusive boutique festival are limited so pre-booking is definitely recommended. Here’s why!
1. Hold on to Summer
Summer isn’t over yet - so don’t forget to plan yourself something to look forward to! When we head back to work in January, it can be easy to slide into a wee depression. Instead of stressing, plan something for February which you’ll enjoy. Science backs up that even something small like a special catch up with friends, an engagement party or a music festival *wink wink* can go a long way at improving your overall mood, positivity and engagement in day to day life. As humans, we need to a reward for all our hard work.
You can hop online and book your tickets with some friends to give yourself a treat and get outside your musical comfort zone on 23 February 2019. Doors open at 1pm and performances run from 2pm – 9pm.
2. A perfectly formed festival (like Wellington)
Good things come in small packages, so they say - and Coastella is Wellington’s only truly boutique music festival. Personally, I’m a fan of anything bespoke, artisan and eclectic - which perfectly describes Coastella. Forget the large and loud monster festivals like Jim Beam Homegrown. Coastella is digestible in size, and features music for all, from-jungle-rock-blues and slow-burning soul to psych-rock jams and up-and-coming indie pop!
3. Be in nature at Southward Car Museum
Heading to Coastella offers a chance to get out of Wellington and explore the natural beauty of the Kapiti Coast, located in the grassy amphitheater at Southward Car Museum. If you’ve been stuck in your typical day-to-day grind, make it your goal this year to experience more of your hometown, starting with Coastella. Set outdoors in lush greenery, you’ll be wow’ed by the awesome nature, the good vibes and the delightful sounds.
I’m getting the old girl gang back together for an annual hurrah, which will be part-music-part-nature-ramble (also, I’m bringing my binoculars for bird watching). Also, not standing around on hot dusty concrete = win!
4. Handpicked by locals, doing it differently
The festival is founded and curated by two talented and enthusiastic music aficionados, Wellingtonians Gerry Paul and Paul Brown. The music is fresh, quirky and surprising – and designed differently to any other New Zealand festival. Gerry and Paul have selected performers that you mightn’t know already, but will leave the weekend humming their songs and Googling these artists for months to come. Prepare to have your senses blown and your taste broadened by genre-bending bands and incredible solo acts.
5. The Kiwi tunes – rocking the world stage
Like Kiwi Dip, it’s always nice to have some classics with an unexpected twist. Iconic New Zealand band Trinity Roots will take the Coastella this year with their hypnotic tunes, along with The Beths who will join the line-up straight back from a huge UK/European tour. 2018 has been a breakout year for The Beths who have been selling out shows at home and overseas. Rolling Stone named their song ‘Happy Unhappy’ Song of the Summer, so don’t miss this chance to hear them live!
Dunedin’s Soaked Oats will be bringing their slinky sludge pop and southern wit to the party straight off the back of a highly successful US tour, along with Auckland’s alt-pop kings Ha the Unclear. Modern blues-rock band The Miltones have been turning heads and winning hearts at home and abroad with their live shows.
Finally, in case you need something a little closer to home, the Kapiti Coast ‘gothic folktronica’ duo Rosy Tin Teacaddy will perform, completing the Coastella 2019 lineup. Now, that’s what I call Kiwi music!
6. Across the ditch…
The trans-Tasman lineup is strong this year at Coastella: hailing from the laneways of Melbourne, Mama Kin Spender (Aus) are making their Wellington debut. This genre-bending soulful duo will present a special collaboration with Wellington ‘young prof’ choir Supertonic. Expect an epic chorus of singers, underpinned by brooding guitars and primal drums. Meanwhile, C.W. Stoneking (Aus) will bring his charming jungle-rock-blues to the coast. Be prepared to educate all your friends on their new favourite artists this year.
7. The gorgeous gourmet food and drink
Coastella have their food and drink curated by Wellington on a Plate which means you’ll be getting more than chips on a stick. Expect delicious burgers, fresh flavours and great wine, all served up to the highest standard under the Kapiti sun. Yum!
8. It’s family friendly
Unlike many festivals which aren’t for really for families, Coastella allows you to bring your whanau with you. If you feel like grooving to the tunes or simply sitting down with the little ones, you can do both at Coastella. I love that it’s inclusive for all the community - and am looking forward to seeing ‘So you think you can dance? Baby Edition’! If you have kids (or not), Coastella caters for all.
9. After-party anyone?
The music and dancing will continue into the night, with the Coastella After Party (R18), with The Richter City Rebels will be playing their seriously rousing tunes…and I can’t wait. New Orleans soul and grooves are the best way to dance your heart out! The after party starts at 9:30pm and goes until 11:30pm in the auditorium. Return buses will travel from Wellington CBD.
10. Even more to love…! Welcome to Coasted
Not ready for it to end? This year Coastella are extending their genre-bending programme to two days with Coasted on Sunday 24th February. Coastella have teamed up with the good folks at Radioactive.fm and Tuatara to bring you an easygoing afternoon of electronic dance music on the coast. Shake off those post Coastella blues with bangin beats from the legendary John Morales (NYC), Simloco, Coda, Don Luchito, and Stefrose.
I hope 10 reasons is more than enough to encourage you to hit this unique music festival up, which really is about breaking down music cliques and joining everyone together for one big chilled out party. I’ll be there with my lovely pals so feel free to say hi and buy me a hotdog!
This post was supported by the bros at Coastella - as usual all opinions are my own!