Press Release – Artists @ Newtown Festival
Press release: Newtown Festival 2013
Press Contact: James Coyle, 0225466972, newtownfestival@gmail.com
New Zealand’s largest free street festival – Newtown Festival Fair Day is looking to be an absolute cracker in 2013.
The mega event, which closes the roads in central Newtown, includes over 350 stalls and 9 stages of music and performance. Sunday March 3rd from 10am- 6pm is promising to once again bring over 70,000 people onto the streets of Newtown to revel in the rich cultural environment.
“The quality and quantity of music and performance on Fair Day is getting stronger each year,” says Programme Manager James Coyle, “and as always, there is something very unique about closing the roads of a suburb and hosting a huge celebration of the arts, craft, and food while taking in the entertainment!”
Also on the first weekend of March in Wellington is the Homegrown Festival on the Saturday, so its an excellent weekend to visit the city for music, with over a 100 fantastic acts playing outdoors in the city, “although the Newtown Festival is free of course!” quips Coyle.
In 2012 James travelled overseas and visited some of the biggest festivals in Europe, “the highlight was the Notting Hill Carnival. It had an amazing street party spirit, which reminded me a lot of what is great about the Newtown Festival.” That festival has been going for 60 years compared to the Newtown Festival’s youthful 19 years. “The Wellington City Council has consistently supported the Newtown Festival, and we look forward to many more to come.”
The 2013 music line up is an exciting mix of genres and styles, a lot of fresh names in the industry and brand new original music, mostly from the talented people who live within Newtown’s boundaries. There is also a special emphasis on bringing artists from over the Tasman, down from Auckland, and especially up from Christchurch. “Christchurch artists have had it tough for the last few years, last year we had Delaney Davidson and Amiria Grenell, this year we continue that tradition and are hosting House of Mountain and Dr Sanchez.”
Award winning band Beastwars will play last on the Wilson St Stage, this stage rocks on into the evening. The more mainstream ‘Mainstreet’ stage is headlined by New Zealand’s Got Talent finalist Mihirangi, and lovable locals Newtown Rocksteady. Both acts will be preparing for their performance at WOMAD two weeks later in New Plymouth.
Headlining the Newtown Sound Stage (Newtown Ave) in 2013 is Brokaflowasaurus Rex and the Blueberry Biscuits, who recently had the biggest crowd ever recorded at the Wellington City Council run ASB Gardens Magic at the Botanic Gardens.
The lineup
2013 Newtown Festival Artists: Beastwars, Mihirangi, Bec Sandridge (Aus), Newtown Rocksteady, Brokaflowasaurus Rex and the Blueberry Biscuits, Dictophone Blues (AK), Latinaotearoa (AK), L40, Miles Calder and the Rumours, Mara and the Bushkas, Upper Hutt Posse, Battleska Galactica, Louis Baker, Estere, Rio Hemopo, Dr Sanchez, The Troubles, Urban Tramper, Sharkness, Kara Gordon, Agitator, Bad Blocks, Jennifer Zea, Wellington City Shake ‘em on Downers, Art Official, Klezma Rebs, Mara TK, Jhan Lindsay, House of Mountain (chch), Digg, Mr Sterile Assembly, Bella Cajon, Sendam Orchestra and many many more….
Full details at www.newtownfestival.org.nz/performers/
