Well it was announced today that an Auckland version
of Austin City Limits is coming to Western Springs Stadium in March next year.
This is good news, as this sort of “mainstream” music festival is one of the few
pieces in the Auckland live music puzzle left to be filled. The Big Day Out
needed a replacement and this might just do the trick for now. As yet no lineup
has been announced, but based on the lineup from the Austin event this year,
the chances are it will be a banger.
The Auckland live music jigsaw puzzle seems to be
filling in. Laneway is back next year for the more alternative music crowd,
while there are other niche events such as Soul Fest, Ragamuffin, Northern
Bass and Splore to cater for various music tastes and crowds. Vector Arena for
all its sound problems continues to attract the big name international acts,
and there are always a good range of acts from oversees playing there each year.
The Powerstation, and more attractive venues such as the Town Hall and St James
are also very suitable for smaller crowds. On a side not it is great that the
St James has some gigs coming up in the form of Father John Misty and Unknown
Mortal Orchestra.
There are however, two pieces of the puzzle which to
me still need filling. Firstly, Mount Smart Stadium is not a suitable music
venue, it is quite frankly a ghastly venue for large scale concerts. It is hard
to get out of and aesthetically is not attractive, or comfortable. The sooner
all large-scale outdoor concerts are held at Western Springs the better, hey,
even North Harbour Stadium is a better bet than Mount Smart. I also feel
Auckland needs an indoor mid-range size venue for around the 5000-6000
type-crowds, and preferably with better acoustics than Vector Arena. Other than
that, the Auckland live music puzzle is looking quite good from my perspective,
with a bit of everything for everyone. Long may it continue.
Sam
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