Festival One drops in to fill Parachute vacancy

Brendan Pyper, lead singer of The Latest Fallout, performs on the Music Box stage at Festival One over the long weekend. PHOTO / Astrid Coward

Out of the dust left behind by Parachute Music Festival - an iconic Christian festival that ran annually for 24 years - a new summer hit has arisen.

Festival One greeted Mystery Creek punters last weekend with a mix of music, food, and hipster decor that went down a treat.

Almost 500 volunteers pulled together to make it a memorable launch, creating a human foosball arena, three gigantic Argentinian-style barbecues to grill a whopping two tonnes of meat donated by Waikato farmers, and artistically painted vintage pianos that added to the general festivity.

Festival director Graham Burt said that he did his homework on what made other festivals around the world, such as Coachella, successful over the long-haul.

"We found that people always talked about the experience, the vibe, the space.

"It wasn't so much about the bands.

"That's what we've done here - we want to give people a solid time of hanging out and connecting in an awesome space."

The decor would certainly make any hipster happy, with a funky cinema built out of recycled pallets, flags, solar lights, unique pop-up stalls with chalkboard signage and enough bunting to sink a ship.

Hordes of young teens, families, and couples in their 20s all seemed to be lapping it up.

"I just love the friendly vibe," said one punter, Aaron.

"Everyone is smiling, they're here to have a good time.

"It's safe, it's fun, it's sunny - and there's babes.

"What's not to love!"

Headline international acts included Switchfoot, Paper Route, Gungor, Newworldson, and many up-and-coming Kiwi artists such as [shift], Young Lyre, Paper Cranes and We Stole the Sun also had their time in the spotlight.

Festival organisers say they'll be back next year with an even bigger line up.