Hana Tamatea provides vocals and percussion in Ripple Effect. Photo / Lewis Gardner
Hana Tamatea provides vocals and percussion in Ripple Effect. Photo / Lewis Gardner
Whanganui two-day music festival Sound Valley finally got off the ground after an earlier false start, with a weekend of perfect weather and good vibes.
It was held on Saturday and Sunday at the Oceanview Speedway overlooking the city, with space for overnight campers and enough room for children torun around.
The event was organised by Gioia Damosso and Koert Wegman, of Lost Arts Events. After being rescheduled from February's original date because of Covid-19 restrictions, ongoing alert level changes and last week's rain, it had been a trial for them.
Festival-goers relax in the sun outside the Sound Valley dance area. Photo / Lewis Gardner
The headline acts on Saturday were Sons of Zion and House of Shem. On Sunday it was Ladi6 and The Black Seeds who people were looking forward to.
In the basin of the speedway was a stage and sound tent, with food stalls along one side and an R18 area with a bar. People with VIP tickets also got a T-shirt, a larger area in front of the stage for dancing, and a perch on the hillside.
Up on the hill Taco Rangi, a part-owner of Lads Brewing Company, was selling the company's beer. He said the day began with an acoustic solo act, then 1980s pop/punk rock, and a very high-energy instrumental.
"It's pretty cool, eh? I've enjoyed it so far."
Former Whanganui men Kelly O'Brien and Blair Waipara, now living in Ohakune and Wellington respectively, said the crowd was good and they liked the vibe.
House of Shem had a great set on Saturday, O'Brien said.
"I think [the organisers] have stumbled across a potential venue. Hopefully it works out for the promoters, who have gone out on a limb and put up the money. Hopefully they can build on it."
People get close to the stage at the Sound Valley music festival. Photo / Lewis Gardner
In the non-VIP area was Levin resident Paula Redman. She paid $97 for an earlybird ticket, and said it was good value for two days of music.
She arrived early on Saturday, because her friends in Drxnes were playing first. She left before the music finished that night to stay at a Whanganui bed and breakfast, and had conserved her energy for Sunday.
It was lovely to see new New Zealand music, she said.
"There was some really good rap, reggae and drums and bass."
She was a big fan of Pull Down the Sun, and was keen to hear Palmerston North band Ripple Effect, then Ladi6 and Kora later, she said.
"It's going to be good. The worst thing is the sunburn. We could have done with a few more shady spots."
