Throughout three days — and deep into the night — an eclectic line-up of musical artists from Aotearoa and abroad play the multiple festival stages. Multi-disciplinary performances, interactive visual art installations, workshops and forums unfold across the site. And people dance like nobody’s watching.
It’s the best sort of party. But it’s more than a party, it’s a community. To come to Splore is to be part of Splore.
Music does take centre stage over five zones.
Director John Minty scours the world to bring up-and-coming music acts to the shores of Tāpapakanga and this year Splore will see the NZ festival debut of UK Mercury Prize winner, Sampha, UK soul sensation Greentea Peng, and American band of the moment, Wednesday.
Minty says Splore is a musical discovery, I look for acts that are up and coming or fit the Splore criteria of being high-energy entertainment. Many acts we have booked go on to become household names.
Still on Drugs where KnowYourStuff NZ general manager Casey Spearin will advise what drug-checking services are seeing this summer and the broader science and culture of drug policy.
The Good Word is members of Rehe Kōrero, the national award-winning slam poetry team out of Western Springs College. They will join Russell and Sarah to talk about their kaupapa and maybe even drop some lines.
Wrapping up the Listening Lounge is THE NEW NEW MEDIA with journalists Te Rina Kowhai (Ngāti Porou, Ngāi Tahu) from Whakaata Māori and Te Ao with Moana, 95bFM Breakfast host Rachel Ashby, and journalist and RNZ journalist Maggie Tweedie on being young women in a sector that’s going through constant change.
As a boutique live-in festival, numbers are restricted on-site, making it easy and manageable for families and people of all ages. Sustainability sits at the festival’s heart with a willing audience participating to keep the site clean through well-managed recycling facilities.
After 25 years being fiercely independent, Kiwi owned and operated, Splore sets a high benchmark in festival organisation and the customer journey.
Splore Festival Producer Fred Kublilkowski says… Being at the tail end of the summer event season we would like to assure people that we have thought about the audience journey – from how they arrive, what’s on offer for them to eat and drink, how accessible the facilities are and the mix of entertainment – everything we curate is to provide the best audience experience – come join us for the time of your life”.
Just a few of many highlights.
The legendary Dubhead will deliver an extra special two-hour reggae/dub extravaganza at the Crystal Place Stage at Splore 2024.
MELODOWNZ is proof that thought-provoking, lyrical hip-hop is alive and here to stay and we’re looking forward to him making his Splore debut.
Beatles Dub Club
Straight from Glastonbury, Isle of Wight, Latitude and Shambala festivals this one-man party starter makes his New Zealand debut at Splore 2024.
Harmonic Resonators. This quintessential-kiwi, family band, came together with a passion for country music, and have stayed together through sharing a new love of waiata Māori with people and communities at home and around the world.
Legendary MC Lizzie Tollemache returns to whip the audience at Saturday night’s ‘Cabaret Devour’ into a delicious frenzy, with her vibrant and fabulous flair. With her own circus sideshow stunts and sumptuous sexy shenanigans, the Queen of Carnival will lure you in and not let you go.
Discover your inner contortionist in the not-very-big-top of Cirque du SoLittle! Yes, there is trapeze! Yes, there are acrobats! Yes, there are lions jumping through fiery hoops! Size may be an issue but that will not stop this circus rolling into town. Presented by Sugar High Productions.
Tickets are still available – visit splore.net