From the tail of the fish to the tip, Aotearoa has been swept up in the music of Trinity Roots - a boil-up of ingredients that seemed to embody the very essence of our home, land and sea, and serve as an invocation to that same environment. The influences that the group brought together joined the dots between head-nodding reggae, slow-burning funk and jazz adventurism to form undeniably indigenous waiata, unconstrained by genre boxes. Following on from their perfectly formed self-titled EP in 2001, Trinity Roots expanded their palette of sounds on two long players, True (2002) and Home, Land and Sea (2004), releases that were rewarded with platinum sales, setting the stage for other homegrown independent successes that followed. The openness and honesty contained within that last release musically and personally illustrates exactly why Trinity are so special to so many people.
Hailing from Melbourne’s gritty ‘burbs, Mama Kin Spender is a lightning bolt moment between two long-time friends, co-writers and mischief-makers: ARIA-nominated Mama Kin and producer Tommy Spender. It’s a stripped back duo of brooding guitars, primal drums and howling harmonies with support from a 25 strong contribution Christchurch Pops Choir . Mama Kin Spender’s songs rattle, roll and tremble, from block party to heart rending ballad. With a sound that is as raw as it is joyful, Mama Kin Spender will challenge you to raise your voice in defiance of the status quo. Mama Kin Spender produce a set that epitomises what this festival is — Kin drumming upright with a voice that builds and projects, Spender on guitar, a twenty (or so)-piece choir, they breathe soul and vitality into the place.
C.W. Stoneking is the embodiment of what some would say is a bygone era of music. From his rasping jungle-rock-blues, to his well-oiled locks, and his familiar all white clothing ensemble, he has converted fans across the world to his unique Style. A first generation Australian of American-descent, C.W. Stoneking was born in the top end of Australia's Northern Territory and spent his childhood growing up in Central Australia, Sydney and rural Victoria. He has travelled the world from Egypt to New Orleans (where he worked as a hoodoo doctor’s assistant) to Trinidad, where he learned about Calypso music. He has lived in isolated farmhouses working as a handyman, and been involved in and survived a shipwreck, spending time in Africa, and touring internationally as a recording artist. The blues is a living art form, albeit one that has been neglected by most contemporary musicians, and Stoneking has made it his mission to move the music forward whilst maintaining the authenticity that make this music so unique.
New Zealand four-piece The Beths channel their longtime friendship into high-energy guitar pop with a smart lyrical bite. 2018 has been a breakout year for The Beths, beginning with a signing to Carpark Records, a world tour, and the release on August 10 of their freshman album ‘Future Me Hates Me’. The title track ‘Future Me Hates Me’ has been received enthusiastically by audiences worldwide, and second single ‘Happy Unhappy’ was named ‘Song of the Summer’ by Rolling Stone Magazine.
The Miltones are known as the masters of blending modern blues-rock sounds with the nostalgia of a vintage record collection. The Auckland five-piece have been turning heads with their powerful stage presence and moody melodies since forming in 2014. The band’s first nationwide tour wrapped up in late 2017 after up-sizing venues to accommodate ticket sales and a sold-out show at Auckland's Tuning Fork. This summer the Miltones are excited to play music festivals and continue work on their much anticipated sophomore album.
Born in the heart of the American desert, in Santa Fe, New Mexico and raised in the mountains of Southern New Zealand, Holly Arrowsmith is a songwriter on the rise locally and internationally, a strong forerunner in New Zealand’s current folk revivalist movement. With sound comparisons to the likes of Joni Mitchell, Gillian Welch and Nick Drake, Holly touches upon the earnest matters of life, wrapped in metaphors of nature and the soothing mountain environment that raised her. 'A Dawn I Remember' Arrowsmith's second full length album was crowdfunded and released June 2018. Recorded between a cottage in the coastal town of Colac Bay and The Sitting Room recording studio in Lyttelton, New Zealand with renowned producer Ben Edwards. Arrowsmith's first album 'For The Weary Traveller' received the VNZMA Tui Award for 'Best Folk Album of 2016', and with it she supported Sixto Rodrigues, Jessica Pratt, Tiny Ruins, Nadia Reid and toured with Fly My Pretties.
Adam Hattaway is a songwriter/noise rock guitar jammer from Christchurch. His live band, now with a live horn section, includes various members from different musical backgrounds - musicians that play country music, blues, with a mix of noisy guitar music and straight down the line songwriting pop flavours. Some of these people have been in other locals bands with Adam such as Wurld Series, The Eastern, Soul Mates and the Bryony Matthews’ band. He is currently mixing his debut album which is full of 90s indie rock inspired fuzzy noise rock yet super melodic songs.
Soaked Oats are a young four-piece band hailing from Dunedin, New Zealand. They write songs with thoughtful lyricism and guitar-driven pop sounds. The band has been making waves across their homeland. After forming at the beginning of 2017, the band racked up 70 shows culminating in an appearance at Rhythm and Vines. In this time they released their debut EP ‘Stone Fruit Melodies’, followed later in the year by a second EP titled ‘No Slip Ups’. In January 2018 Soaked Oats have completed a Summer tour (aka Soirée de Sludge) which saw them playing to expanding audiences at sold out venues across New Zealand. Since then the band has begun putting the finishing touches on a third release that they look to put out in the coming months.
The Butlers are a Christchurch based 5 piece outfit creating milky surf rock goodness for your earholes. 2018 has seen them go from strength to strength, with a string of sold out shows, some huge festival slots lined up and a huge album due at the end of the year. With constant mentions from NZ on Air, blogs and publications stating that The Butlers are 'one to watch', it's best you get some of this milk in your ear-holes as soon as you can.
After the release of his self titled debut album over a year ago, Matthew Smith returns to the stage with his new band ‘Deep Water Creek’. His new direction encompasses both the old and the new Matthew Smith. A mix of his early rock influences with his love of alt-country and folk give way for a dynamic live show and a sophomore album in the pipeline. Someone recently called his new direction ‘Sonic Country’. Deep Water Creek have recently played to a full house at The Foundry to rave reviews and have a great lineup of shows booked for the summer. With new songs being written and surrounded by some of the finest musicians in Christchurch Matthew Smith and Deep Water Creek will be releasing a live EP in October 2018 and then will head into the studio early next year to record their full LP. The band are Matthew Smith, Tom Isbister, Tom Harris, Josh Braden and Shaun Burke.
Nostalgia Festival is unique summer experience held within the 1900s replica township of Ferrymead Heritage Park.
Nestled in the heart of Heathcote Valley, Nostalgia unites the community through the magic of music, showcasing a curated selection of feel-good New Zealand and international artists. Wind through the vintage festival streets to discover incredible local food, craft drinks, roving theatre, markets and more.
With a focus on sustainability, the festival’s laidback all ages environment is the perfect place to escape normality, connect with friends and create truly memorable experiences. Here are some things that makes us stand out from the crowd.
