Coastella 2019 - Southwards Car Museum, 23rd February 2019

CW Stoneking - Photo by Tim Gruar

Hey, Hey Groovers.  Coastella Music Festival 2019 – Kapiti Coast Boutique Music Festival celebrates summer in style with huge crowds from around the country and the cream of music, food , drink and culture!

The Beths - Photo by Tim Gruar

Clear skies and a bumper line up brought out colourful crowds for Coastella this Saturday 23rd February on the Kapiti Coast. Over 3,000 people attended Saturday’s event, which featured music from 10 local and international acts. Now in its 4th year, the boutique festival has grown to attract audiences from the greater Wellington region, as well as attendees from Auckland thanks in part to Air Chathams’ new Auckland to Kapiti route.

Warren Maxwell, Trinity Roots - Photo by Tim Gruar

Mama Kin & Supertonic - photo by Tim Gruar

Festival goers young and old flooded the grounds of Southward Car Museum, and were welcomed with a Whakatau, led by local kaumatua Manu Parata and Mahutonga Blankensop. Everyone gathered around the lush natural amphitheatre, relaxing on the grass and settling in.

Photo by Tim Gruar

Auckland blues-rock band The Miltones kicked off the music for the day on the Coastin’ Dell Stage, playing an energetic and captivating set. After that, soaring melodies drew crowds over to the Amphitheatre stage, with Australian duo Mama Kin Spender performing with Wellington choir Supertonic in a special collaboration. The 24 voices filled the grounds, capturing everyone’s attention with their tight harmonies. Mama Kin Spender frontwoman Danielle Caruana closed the set with a warm message, saying “You want to be punk? You want to be rebellious? Go out there and show your love.” Later in the day Australian jungle-rock blues artist C.W. Stoneking wowed audiences with a simple solo set on the Coastin’ Dell Stage, surrounded by native bush and buzzing cicadas.

Photo by Tim Gruar

Photo by Tim Gruar

Auckland’s The Beths had a sizable crowd on the Amphitheatre stage, thanks to their swift rise in popularity since the release of their debut album in 2018. Aotearoa’s finest emerging bands Ha The Unclear performed on the ‘Coastin Dell Stage, and Dunedin indie-rock band Soaked Oats played the closing set on the stage for the night. As the sun began to set Trinity Roots took to the Amphitheatre and delivered a heartfelt one hour set laiden with the liquid basslines and smooth harmonies that they’ve become renowned for over their 20 year career. The night ended with a whole lot of brass, with Brisbane based Bullhorn closing the Amphitheatre stage, followed by the Richter City Rebels kicking off the after party in the Amphitheatre.

Photo by Tim Gruar

Punters were treated to a huge selection of locally made food and drink, all hand-picked by Visa Wellington on a Plate. All dietary requirements were catered for with plenty of vegan and gluten-free food on offer. Craft beers were flowing at the Tuatara bars, with plenty of other locally produced drinks on offer. Those after a drink or bite to each were served quickly and efficiently, thanks to the efficient cashless AWOP system.

CW Stoneking - Photo by Tim Gruar

Ha The Unclear - Photo by Tim Gruar

The Havana Funzone was back this year, providing a safe and welcoming space for the wee ones. There were circus performances, juggling workshops, bouncy castles and face painting. Tinytown, arguably the world’s tiniest stage was back this year, with over 16 performers from all over the world squeezing in to perform for a few lucky audience members.

Photo by Tim Gruar

Punters were all smiles, whether they were dancing up the front, lying on the grass or strolling through the festival grounds. Once again Coastella brought premiere music and culture to the stunning Kapiti Coast, allowing Wellingtonians to escape the city for the day and treating locals to the cream of local and international music.

Bullhorn - Photo by Tim Gruar