MUSIC FESTIVALS THIS SUMMER

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33051, 19 October 1972, Page 10

MUSIC FESTIVALS THIS SUMMER

New Zealand could be in for a spate of pop festivals this summer. Two festivals, both in the Waikato, are planned for January and if these prove successful then more promoters might be encouraged to jump on the bandwaggon. The first major festival will be held at Ngaruawahia on January 6-8, followed by the second, a one-day event, to be staged at the Te Rapa racecourse on the 27th. Both organisers claim to be bringing international stars to New Zealand for the events, but their names are being jealously withheld until nearer the booking dates. Although it is known that Australian entertainers, Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs and Daddy Cool will appear at Ngaruawahia. The Ngaruawahia festival was announced at a press conference held in Auckland’s Hotel Intercontinental last week. A company, Music Festival, Ltd, has been established by promoters Robert Raymond and Barry Cobum to organise the event. Impressive The directors have got off to an impressive start with their planning. A brochure of detailed information has been released covering almost every aspect of the event. It will be known as “The Great Ngaruawahia Music Festival, 1973” and the organisers hope to attract 25,000 people, including many families. The site covers 250 acres of privately-owned land on the banks of the Waikato River, about 12 miles from Hamilton. It stretches along the river bank and up the

slopes of a 250 ft high hill, forming a natural amphitheatre. Admission for the whole three days will cost $8 per head, but to encourage families to attend, children under the age of 10 will be admitted free. All kinds of modern music will be featured continuously from midday to midnight. It will include traditional and contemporary folk, country music, traditional and contemporary jazz, Maori cultural music, unusual sounds such as skiffle and jug bands, and four hours of rock, accompanied by light shows, each evening. Besides the international artists, about 50 New Zealand acts will be featured. These include Ticket, Mandrake, Rumour, Tamburlaine, Quincy Conserve, the Society Jazzmen, Shade Smith, Lindsay Marks, Corben Simpson and Tommy Adderly. Audiences will be able to choose between sitting on the hillside, or on the flat ground in front of the double stage, which will be 12ft high and 100 ft long. Sound will be relayed from the largest p.a. system yet brought to New Zealand, weighing seven tons, and housed in two 40ft high towers, one on either side of the stage.

No glass To preserve the country atmosphere and provide surroundings where people can relax, the organisers are not permitting any motor vehicles or glass on the site itself. Bottles, glasses and containers will be collected at the gate, and parking will be provided for some 5000 cars at Ngaruawahia itself on the other side of the river. The international ecology sign—featured in the festival symbol behind the Maori boy—will be displayed prominently throughout the area. Two areas, covering 120 acres, have been set aside for camping, and visitors are free to use whatever kind of accommodation they wish—tents, awnings or sleeping under the stars. The entire area will be lighted. Fresh provisions will be available daily from a shopping area to be erected beside the camping site. Fresh steaks, sausages and chops are to be provided from a refrigerated store, supervised by a butcher

, from the Hamilton Freezing . Works. Fresh bread and fresh milk . in disposable sachets, plus : associated dairy products, , will arrive at the festival each day. . Cooking can be done in a ' barbecue area next to the t shops.

Three doctors The St John Ambulance Association, in conjunction with the Red Cross, will cater for any minor accidents and illness in their tent. Three doctors will be in attendance. A helicopter will be stationed beside the tent in case of emergency. To maintain a family atmosphere, the organisers are providing an enclosed playground, complete with swings and slides. It will be in the centre of the site area, clearly visible to parents, and will be supervised at all times.

For the younger children, the Plunket Society, in association with the Karitane Nurses, are providing a creche, which will be in a tent 150 ft by 50ft. Experienced, trained women will be on hand at all times in the tent. All facilities, including baby food, will be provided free. Children’s entertainment will be provided by a Punch and Judy show each day. An interdenominational service will be held for those wishing to attend, at 9 a.m. on Sunday morning.

Security No less than 50 security men will be on duty at any one time. Because of the nature of the surroundings, there is only the one‘access to the site — over the bridge from Ngaruawahia, and then along a narrow path stretching 800 yards. Before presenting their tickets at the main gate, visitors will have to pass through two earlier gates, where security men will be able to check them for any glass. The Hamilton police have already changed their holiday arrangements so they will be on hand to help the influx of visitors, but, respecting the organisers’ desire for minimum interference, will be stationed in army barracks adjacent to the site, as a precautionary measure.

A film, planned for general release, and a double L.P., based on highlights of the festival on a 16-track sound recording system, will be released.