With a line-up like Six60, Fat Freddy’s Drop, Gin Wigmore, The Black Seeds, Katchafire and the Feelers, you could say that Homegrown is a day when New Zealand shows off its own music royalty.
This year the little guys are also getting a chance to glow in the spotlight, with three extra stages giving free shows: the Locally Sourced stage showcasing predominantly Wellington talent, the Buskers stage and the Urban stage.
Event director Mark Wright, who has been organising Homegrown since its inception seven years ago, says the new stages will mean 40 per cent of the acts will be new to the event, to be held on the Wellington waterfront on Saturday.
“There are 62 acts in total and the thing about Homegrown is that it’s a huge culmination of so many New Zealand artists in one place with the biggest and most diverse lineup we’ve ever had,” Wright said.
“We want people to come along and have a good time and be sensible. It’s supposed to be good weather, so they should have a great day out.”
The festival takes place along the waterfront from TSB Bank Arena to Waitangi Park.
Some tickets are still available at homegrown.net.nz or at the gate for $120.
TOP TIPS FOR SURVIVING HOMEGROWN
❏ Organise transport to and from the event in advance – after half an hour of taxi companies’ call-waiting music, you will wish you had.
❏ Dress code: Bring something warm (the event finishes about 11pm), have secure pockets or a small backpack, wear toe-covered and already broken-in shoes and cheap sunglasses – a mosh pit is no place for $400 designer shades.
❏ Bring a fully charged phone. There will be a Homegrown app to help find your friends but have a back-up meeting spot in case your phone goes flat.
❏ Reminiscing about the great weekend requires remembering it, so pace your drinking.
❏ Avoid missing your favourite performers by making a plan of action.
❏ Bring cash with you. There will be ATMs, and the bars will take eftpos, but the cash queue is always faster.
❏ Do not forget your tickets and ID.
❏ Apply sunscreen in the morning and do not neglect forgotten areas such as ears.
❏ Live in the moment: it is unlikely those phone videos will be watched again anyway.
Fill the fuel tank: have a big breakfast and drink more water than you might think is necessary.
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