The All-Local Lineup For Wondergarden Festival Has Been Announced

Wonder no more.
Stephen Heard
Published on September 09, 2016

Filling a wide open gap for family-friendly entertainment this New Year's Eve is Auckland's newest festival Wondergarden. The inaugural event will take place at harbour-side community space Silo Park on December 31, welcoming punters of all ages. One week after revealing itself, the festival has unveiled its full all-local musical lineup.

Leading the charge is Mockasin Arabia Finn, the collaborative project of indie songwriting royalty Connan Mockasin, Lawrence Arabia and Liam Finn. The trio last came together for a sell-out performance at The Crystal Palace Theatre where they were joined onstage by Fleetwood Mac founder Mick Fleetwood, Neil Finn, Bic Runga and Kirin J Callinan. The group will close out 2016 with re-imagined versions of each other's songs, as well as a collection of their favourite party hits.

Also heading the lineup are Wellington progressive-psych band The Phoenix Foundation. The performance will be the group's first New Year's Eve show in Auckland for over a decade. Hits won't be in short supply with the band having released six albums of intelligent, inventive and danceable pop in their longstanding career.

Further acts include dream-pop four-piece Yumi Zouma performing off the back of their debut LP Yoncalla; perhaps the country's most adored singer-songwriter Anika Moa; Orchestra Of Spheres who perform a hybrid of psychedelic disco/future funk with homemade instruments; self-described electric blue witch-hop artist Estère; Auckland jangle-pop band Dictaphone Blues; ambient-electro soloist Miloux; songwriter Jesse Sheehan off the back of his debut album Drinking With The Birds, and New Zealand guitar virtuoso Paul Ubana Jones.

As well as a musical component, Wondergarden will feature roaming performers, a dedicated family zone with children's entertainment, site theming and lighting installations from Angus Muir Design, licensed bars and street food.

Visit wondergarden.co.nz for tickets and more information.

 

Published on September 09, 2016 by Stephen Heard
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