It is every festival organiser’s worst nightmare – great outdoor venue, top class acts, but enough rain to dampen any parade. Leading up to Coastella the weather was dreadful and the following day it was the same. The in between day of Coastella was director Gerry Paul’s best case scenario – sunshine and plenty of it.
So Coastella Music Festival 2019, Kāpiti Coast’s Boutique Music Festival celebrated summer in style with huge crowds from around the country and the cream of music, food , drink and culture.
Clear skies and a bumper line up brought out colourful crowds for Coastella. 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 Kāpiti route.
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.
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.
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 laden 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.
